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Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

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Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#141

Post by DennisP »

davidgould wrote: post #88
mtgx wrote: post #63

> Tesla’s trying to change the vocabulary we’re using to describe it, from “kilowatt-hours” to “range.” I understand why they did it -- Tesla's cars tend to be the most efficient EVs around, often by significant margins compared to competitors. But for someone who was hoping battery size competition would be the new megapixel race, this is quite disappointing to hear. I suppose "range" could be used in the same way,…

> Tesla's cars tend to be the most efficient EVs around, often by significant margins compared to competitors. Well, yes and no. Teslas have very low Cd, so are aerodynamically efficient for their size, but they use AC induction motors which are less efficient then the PM DC motors in most other EVs. Compared to the Bolt or the Hyundai Ioniq the Teslas are less efficient at lower speeds.

Now I'm curious, what is the advantage of AC induction motors?

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#142

Post by SideburnsOfDoom »

83457 wrote: post #107
TheSpiceIsLife wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't follow how that interior design, with important information for the driver off to the right, can pass safety regulations. Presumably an exception is made because the car (mostly?) knows the speed limit and alerts if you exceed? I'm making s wild guess here. Maybe it's actually less distracting than having instrumentation in front of you? I'd like to hire on for a few days when the opportunity arises.

My wife's has driven a Yaris for 10+ years which has everything on center console. You get used to it within minutes of driving it. Obviously it is perfectly legal

> Yaris which has everything on center console

Last time that I drove a Yaris, and that was a few years back, there was a Head Up Display which put a few things against the windscreen, directly in front of the driver.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#143

Post by 4ad »

_ph_ wrote: post #76
elmar wrote: post #57

The Tesla Model 3 has the most minimalistic interior I've ever seen http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-minimalistic-in...

Which is, as long as it doesn't cut important functionality away, for me very preferable to an interior style littered with screens and buttons and knobs. I think the Model 3 is even an improvement to the S there, you have a more minimalistic looking interior even, but they added important usability with proper door handles and pockets and the center console.

> Which is, as long as it doesn't cut important functionality away, for me very preferable to an interior style littered with screens and buttons and knobs.

I very much agree with you here with one exception. I wish there was the option of no center screen at all. I don't want maps and whatever multimedia features it offers. As for the stuff that you have to have that you now access only through the center console, they could still put it in the center, just in place of the screen rather than on the screen.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#144

Post by RodericDay »

foobarge wrote: post #139
jessriedel wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> ...my stuff (skis, bikes, windsurf + sails, mountaineering gears, etc..) to where I need to be, not something for showing-off and asserting status. Not everyone shows off with fancy cars. Some people like to talk about their rugged athleticism and outdoor adventures.

I'm not exactly implying that buying a car to show off and assert status is reprehensible. Have I touched a nerve? Anyways - I'm just saying that I hope EV manufacturer move up (or down) the immaculate luxurious interiors trip sooner rather than later so that some of us can buy and start using EVs without having to constantly worry about ruining a design project we're probably not worthy of.

He's a fanboy and trying to make fun of your stated use-case as if you were the one showing off.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#145

Post by mdorazio »

tetraodonpuffer wrote: post #115
sxates wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, a base Model S doesn't have all the autopilot stuff and upgrade sound and everything else. So to compare equivalent equipment packages, that Model S is a lot more than $9k more.

doesn't the model S though also give you free access to superchargers (unlike the model 3 where you have to pay)? This should factor in the comparison if you live close to one and/or plan a lot of cross country trips where they are available

No, not anymore. That was phased out for new Model S's a few months ago (existing owners were allowed to keep free charging) [1].

http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/13/technology/tesla-supercharge...

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#146

Post by foobarge »

puranjay wrote: post #126
foobarge wrote: post #118

Nice but still not what I need. I need a long range electric car whose interior I won't be afraid to damage from time to time. I need something that moves me, my family and my stuff (skis, bikes, windsurf + sails, mountaineering gears, etc..) to where I need to be, not something for showing-off and asserting status. The large screen in the middle of the car is a non complete non-starter - lots of the stuff I carry in…

This is really strange criticism. You have very specific needs that are already being met by existing solutions. Why would you expect a niche car maker to address those needs with a single product?

I'm fortunate enough (no pun) to be willing to spend money on an EV and I just don't find what I want. I understand Tesla had to produce vehicles like these to make people realize EVs actually were usable cars (usability predicated on luxurious interiors and sporty performances - which I don't care about.)

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#147

Post by ilikepi »

SideburnsOfDoom wrote: post #133
laydn wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Center console indicators are quite common. One advantage is that, the indicators are never blocked when you are in a turn. With your traditional instrument cluster placement, the steering wheel blocks the indicators. Cars with instruments in the center dashboard: Mini Cooper: http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2010-mini-cooper-hardtop-2-do... Toyota Yaris: https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/306771/2009_...…

Mini Cooper: There is a speedometer directly behind steering wheel, in a smaller secondary instrument panel, as shown in the picture. Toyota Yaris: Not shown in that picture is the Head Up Display projected onto the windscreen, even closer to the driver's line of sight. I drove a Yaris for a few days a while back, and the HUD is good - not distracting there's and no need to turn your head, which would be dangerous. C…

The Scion xA and xB both had center console instrument clusters, and AFAIK neither had HUDs.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#148

Post by Theodores »

jimmcslim wrote: post #12

Is there a HUD or do I have to move my eyes to the centre console to check my speed? Seems like bad ergonomics to me... and whereas the road ahead is perhaps still in my peripheral vision when I check my speedo, its less so if I am glancing at the centre console (which maybe has a bunch of other distracting things on it as well?)

I see it as 'Don't make me think!' (Steve Krug) applied to a fresh redesign of what is really needed and where.

This is the Google home page compared to Alta Vista. The absence of dials, switches, knobs, hidden buttons, things you have to twist in their own special way, it is all good.

Clearly there are some situations where the buttons have to exist, e.g. for seat adjustment, as you wouldn't want to be doing that whilst leaning for the screen. However, the minimal approach and a clear, easy to use console is way ahead of what other cars are doing for their interiors.

Without the clutter of an existing car interior I am sure that big flashing lights on the centre console about exceeding the speed limit will be perfectly visible to all occupants of the car.

This latter point is important, routinely my brother in law drives at speeds that are faster than what he tells my sister. She is sat next to him but can't see the speedometer, so if he says one speed then she has to believe him, even if it is just slightly fast rather than the true excessively fast figure. Having a centre console is a bit more fair to passengers wanting to know that information too. If it is the car rather than the driver that is driving I guess this is no different - everyone including the driver is a passenger.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#149

Post by Tepix »

83457 wrote: post #107
TheSpiceIsLife wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't follow how that interior design, with important information for the driver off to the right, can pass safety regulations. Presumably an exception is made because the car (mostly?) knows the speed limit and alerts if you exceed? I'm making s wild guess here. Maybe it's actually less distracting than having instrumentation in front of you? I'd like to hire on for a few days when the opportunity arises.

My wife's has driven a Yaris for 10+ years which has everything on center console. You get used to it within minutes of driving it. Obviously it is perfectly legal

Here's the law for Germany:

StVZO: ( https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvzo_2012/__57.html )

    B. Fahrzeuge

    III. Bau- und Betriebsvorschriften

    §57 Geschwindigkeitsmeßgerät und Wegstreckenzähler

    (1) Kraftfahrzeuge müssen mit einem im unmittelbaren Sichtfeld des 
    Fahrzeugführers liegenden Geschwindigkeitsmeßgerät ausgerüstet sein.
Translated: "the speedometer has to be in the immediate field of vision of the driver". It's somewhat murky.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#150

Post by foobarge »

RodericDay wrote: post #144
foobarge wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not exactly implying that buying a car to show off and assert status is reprehensible. Have I touched a nerve? Anyways - I'm just saying that I hope EV manufacturer move up (or down) the immaculate luxurious interiors trip sooner rather than later so that some of us can buy and start using EVs without having to constantly worry about ruining a design project we're probably not worthy of.

He's a fanboy and trying to make fun of your stated use-case as if you were the one showing off.

Ah - well, Tesla found a way to make EV sexy and I'm sure they have very ambitious goals. I'm just hoping that what's next steps down a bit from the luxurious (at least to me) interior and focuses on cargo space that can be used without bringing in tears ;-)
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