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Model 3 Unveiling [video]

model3.tesla.com

331–340 of 395 posts

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#331
post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I'd go the opposite direction. As the owner of a Golf R (which competes with the STI and Focus RS), the 1-second-slower-to-60 Model 3 (this is the very base model, mind you.. no talk of dual engines or performance models yet) will certainly have less peak torque, but I think it will feel faster due to the linear nature of it. Having driven and ridden in a number of different-spec RWD Model S, the impression of accele…

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Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#332
post #273

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In comparison, Nissan only sold 170k LEAFs from 2010-2015.[1] Three years of Nissan LEAF sales in 24h? Fantastic! [1] http://evobsession.com/nissan-leaf-sales-climb-to-over-17000...

Well, they need to deliver them. Right now, 170K car is also 3 years of production for Tesla. Also it means if you want you Tesla Model 3 you have to wait until 2021 (time for Tesla to deliver the 115K one already booked) which is a long time to wait, 1 full leasing cycle. Of course, we basically have no details currently. The spec of the car, and the delivery capacity of Tesla will change until the actual release da…

Tesla is claiming they'll be able to produce 500,000 cars a year by the end of 2017 when the cars are finally available.

This is a very agressive goal, and I'm not sure they can meet it, but I'm fairly certain their production capacity will be higher than it is today, especially given the unused capacity in the gigafactory that will come online over the next 1.5 years.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#333

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, acceleration speed is most important, and zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds is competitive against $30k cars. (The fastest cars in this price range... like Ford Focus RS... is zero-to-sixty in 4.7 seconds. $35,900 for the RS.) Everyone appreciates a speedy acceleration, when merging into highways or getting out of the way. Its far more important to be quick on acceleration than to have a top-speed.

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.

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Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#334
post #133

OK, $35K, 115,000 pre-orders, delivery early 2018. (Yeah, he said "next year", and then the projection said "late next year", and then he waffled, so 2018 is realistic.) Tesla's current production rate is about 70,000 units a year. Yes, the NUMMI plant once produced 500K vehicles a year on that site, but that just means Tesla has lots of empty building shell into which they can expand. The real problem is profitabili…

They did just get a zero interest 2 year loan of $115 million.

A little too subtle, I missed it.

115,000 deposits of $1000 equals $115M.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, acceleration speed is most important, and zero-to-sixty in 6 seconds is competitive against $30k cars. (The fastest cars in this price range... like Ford Focus RS... is zero-to-sixty in 4.7 seconds. $35,900 for the RS.) Everyone appreciates a speedy acceleration, when merging into highways or getting out of the way. Its far more important to be quick on acceleration than to have a top-speed.

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.

Volkswagen GTI is 5.8s for $26k.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#336

Yesterday Elon Musk tweeted this[1]: "Tomorrow is Part 1 of the Model 3 unveil. Part 2, which takes things to another level, will be closer to production. " And back in January he tweeted this[2]: "In ~2 years, summon should work anywhere connected by land & not blocked by borders, eg you're in LA and the car is in NY" Do you think he is saying the Model 3 will be fully autonomous? [1] https://twitter.com/elonmusk/st…

I think it's very clear the Model 3 will be fully autonomous.

It has no cluster - no gauges of any kind in front of the driver, and only a tiny speed readout on the big screen in the center of the dash. In the Verge video a Tesla designer says that's production ready (not just alpha).

I won't be shocked if it doesn't have a steering wheel or pedals, or at least downplays them a lot.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#337
post #136

> Both cars will start at $30,000 or less after federal tax credits of $7,500 are applied. And both go at least 200 miles on a fully charged battery. The Bolt is a five-passenger hatchback that boasts cargo space and more legroom for rear passengers—front-seat backs are an inch thinner than in most cars. Looks almost identical specs-wise to Chevy Bolt, which will be available at the end of 2016 rather than 2017. http…

Correction: the bolt only seats 4 adults. Specs aren't everything - you can bet the Chevy will have cheap plastic parts, and resale value will be atrocious due to poor build quality. From what I've seen, Tesla vehicles have better resale value than almost any other car.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#338
post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"they provide a more luxurious experience at the same price point." A much, much, much more luxurious experience. The highest end, max-optioned Model S you can buy does not have as nice an interior as a decent 3 series or C class mercedes. It doesn't even beat out their low end. Never mind the cars in its price range (A8/S class/7series). They're not even remotely comparable in terms of interior or luxury appointment…

I suspect it's at least partially a marketing decision. When a car interior gets too plush people start to think about grandpa's Cadillac.

There is a pretty big difference between the German luxury aesthetic and the Detroit luxury aesthetic. It's clear why they're not imitating Cadillac, but why not take some cues from Audi or BMW?

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#340
post #244
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.

A Honda CR-Z is a compact 2-seater in the United States. A Toyota Prius is an economy sedan with a surprisingly large back seat. A Subaru BRZ is a small 4-seat sport coupe. Your comparison can't possibly be valid because it's all over the map. From what I've seen, it IS a small sedan in the vein of a 3-series of A4 (larger than a Civic, smaller than an Accord).

Some nitpicks: The CR-Z is a subcompact 2-seat hybrid hatchback. The Prius is a compact hybrid hatchback (NOT sedan). The BRZ is a 2+2 sport coupe (the back seat is nearly unusable).
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