Live data from Hacker News

Model 3 Unveiling [video]

model3.tesla.com

351–360 of 395 posts

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#351

Okay, I'll say it. I don't like the hatchback-esque look. I would have much preferred a normal sedan design. Yes the car is amazing in a ton of other ways, and yes the look will probably grow on me over time, but I don't want to "learn to love it". I want to innately find it beautiful at first glance. And my initial, instinctual reaction to the unveil was...a feeling of slight letdown.

edit - Just saw a photo[1] from a higher angle and...it's growing on me. :]

[1]http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/tesla-unveils-its-d...

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#352

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What went wrong with Star Citizen?

The scope of the game has gotten very big with how much money they've raised, which means it's taking longer to develop that originally planned. Some people aren't thrilled with that. As far as the Derek Smart guy that somebody linked, he's a nutter who likes the attention from his doomsday predictions of Star Citizen falling apart (it's the only reason anyone's every heard of him). Most famous for claiming last Octo…

> (it's the only reason anyone's every heard of him)

Derek Smart was an internet celebrity in the 90's. He was well known for his bombastic statements and engaging in flame wars about his own game, Battle Cruiser 3000AD.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#353
post #313

As long as there is a metal roof option in a couple decades when I can finally afford to buy one third-hand used. Glass roof anywhere in the southwestern or southeastern usa is the worst idea I've ever seen. Not only the sun but stuff constantly being thrown on or at it on the highways. Never had a windshield last more than a decade without a crack, imagine what it costs to replace a piece of glass the size of a car.

I've never had a rear window or sunroof get a rock chip on the highway before, have you?

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#355

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It'd probably just shatter; should be laminated glass so it wouldn't explode into your eyes much. Regular cars are just as scary when you think about it, imagine the roof collapsing on top of you.

Well, two flavor of hell. Metal doesn't fracture. So it shields you for a while, but it it can also hold you hostage.

I rolled a car with a sunroof once - luckily the shade was closed so I didn't have to crawl over too much broken glass.

The door windows also disappeared, but the front screen stayed together

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#356
post #289

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…

It sounds like it, but that would be on hell of a battery range if that's true.

I wouldn't expect the autonomy package to have a huge impact on range. It takes a lot of energy to figure out where you are and navigate when you're looking at it from the context of a quad copter or what you can carry in your pocket but it's probably going to be pretty small compared to a Tesla's beastly 60+kWh battery. Even on the rolling cabinet I worked on[1] the motors took more power than the autonomy kit did.

[1]http://www.vecna.com/product/qc-bot-standard-cabinet/

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#357
post #152

Very clean looks also: 215 Miles Range with 0-60 in 6secs, Seats 5 will have autodrive tech all for $35,000 Deliveries begin end of 2017 (Hopefully) This is truly a mass market full electric car. We may be seeing something on the lines of the iPhone - a category busting product.

"with 0-60 in 6secs" This part confuses me. The very fast 0-60 times that you see in electric cars are a function not of their massive engines or super tuned turbos, but of their instantaneous torque (as they are electric). Given that this is an electric car, and that its size and weight are commensurable to the (presumably) smaller electric motor, I would expect it to have similar 0-60 times. I just assumed that whe…

You're trying to compare the cheapest Model 3 with the most expensive Model S, which explains the discrepancy. Only the P85D/P90D get from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, and I'm sure the top end Model 3 will be similar.

>Given that this is an electric car, and that its size and weight are commensurable to the (presumably) smaller electric motor, I would expect it to have similar 0-60 times.

And so it does! The fastest RWD Model S has a 0-60 of 5.4 seconds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_S#Specifications

To get sub-4 seconds you need to add a second motor (and larger motors for the "P" versions), which Tesla made optional to keep the base price down.

Also peak battery power limits the 0-60. Again to keep the base price down the cheapest Model 3 has a smaller battery than the S, which tends to reduce peak power and therefore acceleration. That explains the performance drop from 5.4s to <6s.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#358
post #114
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?

That's a > $600 car payment every month assuming 60 months and 3% interest. That's out of reach of most American families.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#359

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The scope of the game has gotten very big with how much money they've raised, which means it's taking longer to develop that originally planned. Some people aren't thrilled with that. As far as the Derek Smart guy that somebody linked, he's a nutter who likes the attention from his doomsday predictions of Star Citizen falling apart (it's the only reason anyone's every heard of him). Most famous for claiming last Octo…

> (it's the only reason anyone's every heard of him) Derek Smart was an internet celebrity in the 90's. He was well known for his bombastic statements and engaging in flame wars about his own game, Battle Cruiser 3000AD.

Hm, I must have been on the wrong parts of the internet back then. I've seen his more recent projects (Line of Defense), but I had a Mac at the time so my selection of games was ... slightly limited.

Re: Model 3 Unveiling [video]

#360

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The average battery size for the Model S is probably 85kWh (they sell them from 70 - 90), and average residential power rates in the US are ~$0.15/kWh. So the easy answer is, a Model S will cost ~$12.75 to "fill up". However, some places have residential rates closer to $0.08/kWh, or $7/tank. That's for 300mi range. They do sell lower capacity battery versions and the entry level Model 3 will likely have a 50kWh batt…

Does the Tesla come with charge management settings to specify how much and when it charges? Some residents have power plans with reduced or free electricity during off peak. Mine is free on weekends for example and I usually only drive 150 miles/week. I could theoretically charge for free and always have a least a hundred miles range during the week. It would be nice if I didn't have manually schedule this.

It has a daily schedule: I set mine to charge after 11pm when rates are low. I haven't seen a weekly schedule.
Post reply on HN