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Model 3 Unveiling [video]

model3.tesla.com

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Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#231

Post by mdorazio »

pveierland wrote: post #201
manav wrote: post #117

I'm actually going to reduce my reservation to one car now. Pretty disappointed at the design, it looks like a Prius. For the price point, I would obviously still buy one... but the hatchback style is not as appealing for a mid level luxury car that may compete with a MB C-class or BMW 3-series. They could have made it look like an Audi A4 sedan, with an available hatchback, but I think that would cannibalize Model S…

Taste is of course subjective, but when looking at good pictures of the car it looks pretty sweet: http://imgur.com/a/V0BxU I think the front is very clean, and seen from above and behind the large rear window makes it look great. In my book this is way better than a Prius.

Almost all the pictures in that set are renderings, not actual cars. Personally, I don't much like the way it looks from the "real car" pictures taken at the show - the windows seem too large and the whole thing just looks misproportioned.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#232

Post by rattray »

Illniyar wrote: post #214

Since the symbol looks like an E, it replaces the E in Tesla and the previous models were named S and X. Shouldn't this really be the model E and not 3?

Yes, that was the company's hope until Ford stopped them: http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2014/06/04/elon-mus...

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#233

Post by moonka »

Illniyar wrote: post #214

Since the symbol looks like an E, it replaces the E in Tesla and the previous models were named S and X. Shouldn't this really be the model E and not 3?

From what I've heard, Ford has the rights to Model E, so they changed it to 3.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#234

Post by Corrado »

llomlup wrote: post #227

Something isn't right there. The cockpit doesn't seem to be finished. Compared to Model S and Model X cockpits, this one isn't on par. Where are screens behind the wheel, what about the middle console, AC, wheel controls? http://cdn2.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styl... , seriously?

I agree, to a point. The interior does look a bit spartan, however is this just a pre-release model? Will the final car look exactly like this? I can see certain things being tweaked over the next year and the dash is one of them.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#235

Post by erikpukinskis »

dragontamer wrote: post #218
sgeisenh wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

6 seconds is fast for a luxury sedan, but there are plenty of cars for less than $30k that will do zero-to-sixty in under 6 seconds. The Subaru WRX does 0-60 in under 5 seconds and costs ~$26k. That's the only 4 door car I can think of that's quite that quick, but there are plenty of performance oriented cars in that price range that are very quick.

Yeah, this is more about what I was getting towards. Tesla Model 3 isn't breaking any records. I can think of plenty of cars in the price range that is that fast actually (and as you noted, the WRX definitely undercuts the Tesla significantly in price). But in my experience, zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds is a good speed. Its not "slow", and should be fast enough to feel somewhat luxurious. The Subaru WRX, and Ford Focus…

The other thing to remember is the Model 3 will still have that "100% torque from a full stop" feel that gives the Model S it's kick. I suspect it will feel much faster than an ICE with the same 0-60 speed.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#236

Post by Corrado »

manav wrote: post #155
greglindahl wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't make a car with low drag without it being a hatchback. And low drag is key to reasonable battery size.

True. Some design elements still seem strange to me, but perhaps it was optimized for efficiency?. There is no front grille for instance. While there is no need for one on an electric car, the Tesla still has an indent for one.

I think part of the front end design was shaped by laws requiring a human safe zone in the front of the car. My understanding is that every car on the road must not push a human under the car but up and over the hood. Maybe that's why the front end has that indent.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#237

Post by usaphp »

refurb wrote: post #223
usaphp wrote: post #206

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "Tesla struggled to get 50,000 cars out last year. BMW sold north of 2 million cars in 2015" Please do not compare all the models BMW sold with a single Tesla Model S. BMW only sold 142,000 of 3 series in 2014. http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/bmw-3-series-sales-figu...

I disagree. His comment was in regards to "production capability, supply chain and support network". The fact is that BMW produced 40x more vehicles in 2015, which would suggest their supply chain and support network is much more robust.

The comment he replied to said nothing about Tesla competing with BMW on all models, the original comment was referring to model 3 vs bmw 3 series and C class Merc

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#238

Post by tonyedgecombe »

usaphp wrote: post #114
manav wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The car looks comparable to a Honda CRZ or a Toyota Prius (or a Subaru BRZ). They should have gone with the small-sedan form factor, but I think they believe it will cannibalize Model S sales.

> "for a luxury car" Since when is a car under 35K is considered luxury?

"In economics, a luxury good is a good for which demand increases more than proportionally as income rises, and is a contrast to a "necessity good", for which demand increases proportionally less than income. Luxury goods are often synonymous with superior goods and veblen goods"

From Wikipedia.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#239

Post by erikpukinskis »

Cookingboy wrote: post #203
usaphp wrote: post #83

Wow, I don't really know how bmw or mercedes are going to compete with model 3. Tesla does not look worse than 3 series and C class, is faster and is almost free to run. And the base bmw 3 series starts at $33,200 and it is almost empty inside...It will be an interesting couple years for auto industry for sure.

Design is pretty subjective, personally I think this is far more attractive and looks way more premium: http://images.car.bauercdn.com/upload/32029/images/1040x585/... Interior: http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/547435/2015-merce... http://preview.netcarshow.com/Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-2015-160...

I find peoples' car aesthetics opinions totally incomprehensible. Ask 10 people what they like and you'll basically get 10 mutually incompatible answers.

Personally, I like futuristic looking stuff (I think it goes back to the Lamborgini Countach when I was growing up). Other people hate that, hate the Prius, etc. I'm always shocked how many people think a car has to have a traditional shape or it's ugly. Some people love Ferraris, I think they look like a woman's shoe. It's just a mess.

I think luxury cars look totally silly. I actually think the Toyota Previa is a gorgeous car and I'd have way more fun in that than in a Mercedes, which would make me feel totally ridiculous. I doubt there's another person on the planet who feels the same. I don't know why car aesthetics are so personal. I guess clothing is the same, only no one expects clothes to be one size fits all.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#240

Post by dragontamer »

erikpukinskis wrote: post #235
dragontamer wrote: post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, this is more about what I was getting towards. Tesla Model 3 isn't breaking any records. I can think of plenty of cars in the price range that is that fast actually (and as you noted, the WRX definitely undercuts the Tesla significantly in price). But in my experience, zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds is a good speed. Its not "slow", and should be fast enough to feel somewhat luxurious. The Subaru WRX, and Ford Focus…

The other thing to remember is the Model 3 will still have that "100% torque from a full stop" feel that gives the Model S it's kick. I suspect it will feel much faster than an ICE with the same 0-60 speed.

I doubt it'd be much better than any manual car reving up to 4000 RPM and then dropping the clutch. You can squeal the wheels of even low-power engines with that technique.

Frankly, zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds WITHOUT shifting and with 100% standing torque is kind of... awful actually. I suspect the opposite, when a ICE engine hits 4000 to 6000 RPM and the torque kicks in, you'll be accelerating far stronger than the smooth acceleration a Model 3 will give you.

Consider a jerky zero-to-sixty with three gear shifts on your typical manual car (say... Ford Focus ST or RS), in contrast to the smooth acceleration from like a Nissan or a Subaru WRX. You definitely feel more G forces from the Focus, while the WRX only beats the other car because the CVT engine never has to "stop" for the gearshift.

Similarly, I'd expect the smooth acceleration on the Model 3 to have less peak G-forces than a manual car. It will happen to be a smooth and constant acceleration, but there's a HUGE difference in Model 3 vs Model S acceleration. And I hope people aren't getting their hopes up.

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