Thứ Sáu, 6 tháng 1, 2017

Alpha Build part 1

  • Jan 13, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    Is anyone else disappointed with the Alpha build status ? I have seen pictures of it and maybe it was just me but I was expecting a more "finished" car. I am glad that they are making progress and moving forward but this really did not seem like a big deal to me. Is an Alpha build typically this unfinished. I guess I should not have been expecting more because we have heard that the outside is finalized but nothing of the inside being finalized. I guess I was expecting cars more like the EPs for the Roadster. Now that I think about it, an EP would be further along than this. I guess I have really answered my own questions here. In my head I thought they were further along than this. But baby steps I guess LOL.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    qwk
    There is more than one alpha. They supposedly have one or two that are already completed and running around.

    It's anybody's guess when they will unviel a completed alpha to the public.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Tommy
    Definitely not disappointed. For me, it was refreshing to see a car company placing their emphasis on the engineering that went into the car as well as the consideration for safety. Refreshing not to see the usual glitter of a "concept car" that never makes it (in the form displayed) into production. When one takes into account the 3 videos Tesla released last week, V.P. Rawlinson's comments and the video playing in the background at Tesla's display (showing the Alpha build be driven on a country road), my conclusion is Tesla is much further along in development than just the "shell" shown at the show.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    Yeah I figured that. I did not know all of those other things. Thanks. I just thought they would show more than a shell. But at the same time no I did NOT want them to show a concept car that will not really be built. They already did that at the unveiling. Though, I give them credit for staying close to that !
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    donauker
    Where was it stated that the video was of the Alpha build and not of the prototype that many of us had a ride in long ago?
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Jaff
    Same here Tommy.

    Not being a technical person, is was great to see these vids along with hearing Mr. Rawlinson's comments about why the Model S is a superior engineered vehicle when measured against "ICE adapted / converted" EV's.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Cobos
    I agree that the technical walk-through of the car was very nice, but as Kevin I was sort of hoping to see the final shell. I was curious on what they did change and I was also hoping for public iteration 2 of the interior of the Model S. I suppose internally they are easily upto 3 digit iteration of the interior :)

    Cobos
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    qwk
    It looks a bit different than the prototype, inline with the changes revealed here and there over the past few months.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    So same car with different pieces added to it ?!?!?! Not really what I would call an alpha build.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    qwk
    No.

    -First there was the white rolling prototype(now in museum)

    -Then came the grey driveable prototype with the roadster drivetrain.

    -Sometime last year they painted the grey prototype maroon. This car is still maroon as seen at the CES.

    The grey car that is seen in the video has all of the changes as seen in the CAD design video. Holes in the front bumper for the A/C condensors etc. It's probably safe to assume that this is one of the alpha cars.

    There was also a post on a blog from a TM employee a few weeks back, in which he stated the alpha was done and is being driven.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    kgb
    Also, during the press release, Peter Rawlinson indicated that the model there was one of the "fleet of Alpha builds." It would be a real play on words if the Tesla fleet was a fleet of one.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Ipe
    We don't know if the rest of the 'fleet' has yet to be built though...
    I hope that the NAIAS video will be released on the website soon.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    TEG
    Which video?
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    qwk
    The one playing in the background of Rawlinson's Model S presentation at the Detroit Auto Show.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    TEG
    My guess:
    They may have one finished, drivable, and then a second "body in white" bare chassis at NAIAS.

    The Edmunds interview said the NAIAS bare chassis on display was "number two", so maybe #1 is all done.
    If they have a fully finished one, hopefully they show it soon since curiosity is building.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Fr23shjive
    Yeah, Rawlinson made it very clear that they had a fleet of Alpha builds. It would be very misleading if his fleet consisted of 1 alpha build.

    I was also under the impression that the Alpha build that they presented to the media was their day 1 reveal and they'd have a complete Alpha build available for the public to see. I could be wrong but that would definitely make more sense.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    drbradfo
  • Jan 13, 2011
    Tommy
    I did a screen capture of the front and rear of the car in the video. The enlarged holes in the front bumper are clearly evident as well as the rear bumper now has a pronounced bump not seen in the previous prototype and aligns with the alpha model on display(most likely to meet federal standards). I also noticed the taillight lens that mount in the hatchback lid appear to be clear while the side mounted lens appear red. Small pictures but hopefully of some use. View attachment 1308 View attachment 1309
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    Iz
    If they have a fully built alpha it should debut on Saturday (1/15) for the public show. Otherwise, they are still working on it.
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  • Jan 13, 2011
    kgb
    ...and snub the press?
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  • Jan 14, 2011
    mpt
    Air suspension? I'm not a fan of that. In Renault Safranne, Range Rover & Audio Q7 I've found it to be quite sick-making.
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  • Jan 14, 2011
    Patrick A.
    If this the Alpha built from an actual testcar , then where are the doorhandles and the T with orange led's on the fender ?
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  • Jan 14, 2011
    Tommy
    V.P. Rawlinson mentions in his presentation the alpha model on display had been pulled from a fleet of alpha builds and had been "cosmetically enhanced" for show purposes. I take those comments to mean such things as door handle cutouts, charging door cutouts, etc were eliminated on this perticular model to put it's best face on for the public.

    There are many other essential items missing that it would be very unlikely the vechicle on display is representative of an actual testcar; I believe the main purpose of the display was to showcase Tesla's engineering prowness.
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  • Jan 14, 2011
    Patrick A.
    yes i thought that to , but a cast is a cast , its more expensive to make a new cast for every step in the build process .
    Also the fender has a different "dent" ( or how do you call that ) .
    It looks like they anodized the aluminium to make it look better

    But i guess we have to wait for the first pics off a finished one , or someone takes pics from the screens in Detroit
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  • Jan 15, 2011
    tdelta1000
    Well stated Tommy.
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  • Jan 16, 2011
    TEG
    One thing I wondered when seeing the Alpha chassis is how so much "seamless" aluminum welding can be done in mass production...? Typically I think car chassis use spot-welds because robots can do them very fast. The Alpha build chassis looks to have a lot of hand welding that I imagine would be time consuming and costly.

    Perhaps that is one of the things they plan to do between Alpha and Beta builds is to optimize for quicker mass production.
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  • Jan 16, 2011
    tomanik
    HD Video which shows a lot of the seamless welds in the vehicle.

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  • Jan 16, 2011
    PopSmith
    What is that at 1:43? Another motor to make it AWD?
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  • Jan 16, 2011
    TEG
  • Jan 17, 2011
    tdelta1000
    If you are talking about the unit that has TESLA inscribed on it is the cover for the battery pack.
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  • Jan 17, 2011
    tomanik
    Has anyone seen a good picture of the model S Alpha show up yet? Based off of the NAIAS press announcment I had assumed that they would have footage of the Model S alpha, playing on the monitors, however I'm wondering if that was just a press only thing?

    [?IMG]

    [?IMG]
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  • Jan 17, 2011
    Fr23shjive
    Based on those tiny pictures I actually like the little vents they threw on the front of Alpha build. Looks better than the prototype imo.
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  • Jan 17, 2011
    mt2
    Yes, looks good. But the illuminiated TESLA T seems gone ...
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  • Jan 17, 2011
    TEG
    In an extended version of the Auto Show presentation, they are specifically asked about the videos. Yes, that is footage of an Alpha build which they took in December.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Kevin Harney
  • Jan 18, 2011
    Tommy
    I am actually still liking the front of it. Looks good !
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Laurent
    Agreed, although a "T" emblem is now on the nose of the hood, which I hope is removable. (or a decoy?) I very much liked how Tesla incorporated their emblem in the grill of the prototype; which I hope will remain.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    video screen grabs
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    Looking at those low resolution screen shots, it looks to me like the charging port is on the drivers side front fender.
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  • 1/1/2015
    guest
    attachment.php?attachmentid=1325&d=1295378600.png
    attachment.php?attachmentid=1322&d=1295378596.png
    attachment.php?attachmentid=1323&d=1295378598.png
    attachment.php?attachmentid=1324&d=1295378599.png
    (demo prototype for comparison):
    tesla_model_s_back.jpg
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    Or is that just the lighted T logo vent?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    It very well could be, but it's not really noticable on the passenger side. I wish we had some higher resolution pics.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Nik
    I think it looks a lot more American - the prototype had a lot of Maserati in the front, which was a good thing. To my eyes this is less attractive, but it may look better when comparing close-up or studio shots rather than screen grabs.

    The rear end on the prototype was also better, IMHO. The curve of the spoiler lip seemed greater than on the Alpha build.

    Never mind - still have to get one :)
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    It is almost a given that production cars end up looking slightly toned down from the concept cars that are first shown.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    doug
  • Jan 18, 2011
    AnOutsider
    Very happy to see progress. The design tweaks will take time to grow on me.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
  • Jan 18, 2011
    stopcrazypp
    Seems like the front grille is mostly closed off compared to the original prototype (probably for aerodynamic reasons, esp. since the radiators don't take air from there?)

    I guess it is time to play spot the changes; anyone else spot any differences?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    My reactions:

    -Grille: Don't like it. Maybe it's just a temporary grille? Yuck...looks cheap.

    -Rest of front (vents): I like.

    -Tesla vent behind front wheels: too bad they're gone.

    -Rest of car: still frigging beautiful.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    Where is the charge port? I don't see it anywhere.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    Actually, I'm really surprised those front quarter panel vents are gone, because in this video (around 1:50) Franz talks about them being a "functional piece" to help exhaust high pressure air around the tires and increase efficiency.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Cobos
    The nose as a whole looks much better now, except for that shiny closed off plastic grill. I much prefeer the metallic mesh they had on one of the very early models. The front lights though look a lot better and I think the sides/flanks are better as well. I can't decide if the rear is better or worse, it's kind of nice with the metallic thing pointing to the smaller red rear lights. The doors though due to the black undercarriage part doesn't look like they fit properly into the side of the car. That should be fixed with making sure the line between the black underneath and the silver/metallic is a long flowing line from tire to tire IMHO.

    Cobos
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    Mirrors are less pointy!
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG

    http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/alpha-hits-road
    rear_3_4_motion.jpg
    tesla_model_s_leaked_-500x333.jpg


    • Bigger side view mirrors.
    • No vent behind the T logo badge. (Badge is wider and less tall.)
    • Aluminum protrusion in the diffuser below the rear bumper.
    • Rear bumper now sticks out a bit more.
    • More of a gap above the license plate for license plate lights.
    • There is a black layer along the underside. (Paint doesn't extend as close to the ground.)
    • Red reflectors below the rear bumper.
    • There are some differences in the silver trim around the windows.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Patrick A.
    it looks longer , more room between the door and front wheel , and has scharper edges .
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    I wonder if they still have the same sort of (= =) shaped driving / parking lights in the rear. So far the video shows a single point of light from each side instead of a "squiggle".

    I don't like that horizontal silver line below the doors. I breaks up the flow to the neigboring body panels.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    After watching this a few more times, I think the charge port may be hidden in the grille somewhere.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/18/silver-tesla-model-s-alpha-hits-the-road-carves-some-corners-v/
    tesla-s-2011-01-18.jpg
    [?IMG]
    http://wot.motortrend.com/520-customers-place-orders-for-tesla-model-s-hybrid-sport-sedan-4132.html


    • No T logo or horizontal silver line on the bumper. (T logo moves onto the hood.)
    • As said before the side-view mirrors are very different. (More oval, taller, less pointy.)
    • Cutouts (with horizontal stripes) for the A/C condenser inlets below what used to be fog lights(?)
    • Wheels are slightly different with the vanes/blades not meeting a noticeable ring around the lug nuts. (10 blades instead of 9.)
    • Aforementioned side quarter panel logo changes and vent removal.
    • Headlight "whisker" highlight runs on the edge of the hood cutout instead of zigzagging. (I think I heard it isn't blue anymore either.)
    • The rear door handle seems more horizontal and more in line with the front handle.
    • An air-dam lip protruding forward that wasn't there before.
    • The whole front end (bumper and headlights) seem a little higher than before. Probably to meet height regulations for those items.
    • It looks like the black plastic/urethane cover over the front bumper sticks out a bit more...(?)
    • Is the windshield more reflective?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    howabout2
    To add my own two cents to the discussion...

    Front: I like the new front overall, although I agree with several others that the black plastic grill piece should be replaced with black metal. Aside from that, however, I think the front looks more mature and I like the evolution versus the earlier prototypes. I do miss the blue light-pipe effects of the prototype, but I figured those wouldn't be street-legal and would have to go.

    Side: I too miss the Tesla 'T' vents but I think the overall side profile looks solid. The side profile looks a little awkward on the alpha because the doors seem to have a metallic lip that extends below the paint line of the remainder of the side profile. From a distance, or at the small size that is shown on the blog, it looks like a mis-alignment of panels. The door handles still don't look final, but those and the side mirrors look more mature as well.

    Rear: The rear lighting doesn't live up to my expectations. I hope that what is shown in the video is a placeholder since even when the headlights are on, the rear shows little illumination. The bulk of the rear light fixture is wasted space. I'm not happy to see the "light pipe" look of the rear lights removed. The following is a poor photo, but this is what I'm referring to:

    tesla-s-jim.jpg

    I'm also disappointed to see the diffuser treatment of the prototype go. In the prototypes, the diffuser appeared to be wrapped by the painted left and right panels--an effect used on many sports sedans.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Tommy
    Perhaps a bottom hinged grille that allows the grille to open a few degrees to allow charging from either the right or left sides of the grille using two side mounted ports.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    ckessel
    I'm sad to say I dislike almost every change :(. It looks bigger. It looks boxier rather than sleek and curved. The rear end and side mirrors really reflect that shift to box/square lines. The front looks downright bad to me now. I much preferred the old one, especially with the prominent Tesla symbol. Had this been the build pictured when I put down my deposit 2 weeks ago, I might not have done it.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    vfx
    The black plastic "grill" might be a temp for photography. I would think the would match the cheese grater just like the new Roadster.
    tesla-s-2011-01-18.jpg
    I don;t see the fill cap anywhere.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    stopcrazypp
    It's not completely final (although likely most of the way there) so there's still hope yet. I think the "boxier" look is mostly from black border around the bottom of the car (which looks unfinished, I'm expecting the final one to be color matched instead).

    It seems most people don't like the new grill and the placement of the logo. Perhaps some feedback to Tesla would be in order (seems like they listen to feedback from buyers).
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    About the only things I dislike, are the whiskers in the fog light area holes, and that plastic grille(probably temporary).
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    Guys,

    I just realized something. Remember the alpha design videos (3 of them) that Rawlinson starred in about two weeks ago showing some of the alpha internals? The first one (showing the front end of the car) had a heat exchanger in the front center (where the black "nose cone" is in the latest pics. This tells me that most likely that black cap is just temporary...maybe for testing? They might be covering it to test limited air intake. If so, they should've taken it off for the photo ops.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    PaulM
    Anybody else find it strange that they didn't show this at the Detroit Auto Show?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    Detroit show is not over?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Tommy
    And the "black cap" you refer to does not have a flat surface to mount a license plate to as in the displayed prototype. Definitely a faux pas for us that must legally mount our front license plates. I hope you are right; I don't like the "black cap" either
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    AnOutsider
    Yes, and perhaps they'll show a version there that's a tad different than what we see here. Some things (like the bottom of the doors) seem to be "rough" here. If so, then I'd imagine they'd put their best foot forward for the show floor.

    I'm hoping, like Audi, that they have a grill WITHOUT plate inserts for the states (like mine) that don't require a front plate.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    tomanik
    Finally some good photos. In general I am very happy with the changes in the Alpha. This seems like a nice freshening of the prototype which we have been looking at for almost 2 years now.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Doug_G
    tesla_model_s_back.jpg

    This was how it looked in the prototype. Here's the alpha video:

    attachment.php?attachmentid=1329&d=1295405684.jpg

    Definitely not there.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    I have seen many cars with a small low opening and big radiator behind it. I think you can have airflow squish through a smaller opening and still have it be effective. Especially since the efficiency of an electric motor means that the radiator doesn't have to dissipate a whole lot of waste heat. Personally, I am not so sure that the "cap" is temporary. It seems like it might be a permanent bumper cover. But maybe they are still refining it.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    I recall a comment saying that they wanted to take advantage of the winter weather to get cold weather testing in right now.

    Perhaps the car is shipped off to a test track in Sweden or Alaska right now?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    qwk
    I thought there was 6 alphas?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Doug_G
    It's hard to tell because of the differences in lighting, but from these pictures they seem to have added some linear "creases" into the design. Perhaps that is to give it more of a sleek "in motion" appearance, but I rather liked the organic curves of the prototype.

    Some styling changes might have been made for engineering reasons, not just design, such as the more obvious bumper on the back. Also sometimes very subtle changes in the shape of a sheet metal part can affect its stiffness.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    TEG
    Yeah, I don't see a charge port door anywhere. I guess that is our main question now... Where do you plug it in?
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Todd Burch
    Doug, check out TEG's post (#58) in this thread. The creases look pretty similar to me.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Doug_G
    You're right... it's probably largely a difference in lighting.

    Notice that that front looks a bit more similar to the Roadster 2.5 redesign. At the 2.5 launch they talked about how the "design language" or some such was made more similar to the S. This makes me wonder if the "gills" originated from the design side or the engineering side. Perhaps what happened was the engineers said they needed more airflow for additional radiators, then the designers figured out how to make it look really cool, and then they figured they'd unify that look with the Roadster...?

    tesla-s-2011-01-18.jpg

    San_Diego1.jpg
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    ckessel
    Yea, that's it for me. The creases make it looks squared off, less organic and flowing. The squared off look is unappealing to me. The top picture, the new one, the creases on the doors and side paneling make it look like every other sedan on the road, whereas the lower picture of the previous alpha looked very distinct and pleasing to the eye.

    It doesn't help that, as others have noted, the bottom is off somehow. The bottom of the doors don't seem to line up as they visually look like they extend about 1/2-1" lower than the fore and after fenders.
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  • Jan 18, 2011
    Tommy
    So I am thinking if the front black "nose cone" in the Alpha is the final design, it actually might look pretty good if the material were carbon fiber instead of glossy black plastic. Anyone able to photo-shop a carbon fiber "nose cone" onto the car and post pic?
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    drbradfo
    I definitely prefer the 9 spoke wheels on the prototype to the 10 spokes on the alpha. Nose cone needs to go.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Tessier
  • Jan 19, 2011
    kgb
    I dislike this new front spoiler. I like the smoother curves on the first prototype. The alpha has this plastic ridge protruding out. I hope they did that for aerodynamics, becuase it doesn't work as far as appearance IMO.

    +1 on the awkward ridge on the side below the door.

    Other than that, I like the appearance.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    It COULD work, many cars have that (my GLI did and my R8 also has a similar black front). I guess we'll see though, as I said, it could just be a cover to hide what it is. There's no Tesla logo on the back so far as I can see (though there's the obvious one on the hood, which does match the Roadster's styling).

    It's grown on me, and I've got faith that the last lingering bits will be cleaned up. I do agree with someone above re: the less organic lines -- though the changes may have been made for aerodynamics.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Cobos
    These days I'm driving around on the snow and I really hope that front lip isn't too low to the ground. Otherwise this will be problematic when it snows. I suppose I can always hope for air suspension that allows you to raise the car an inch or two at very low speeds. Something like Citroen had before. That way I can get the car across the pile of snow the snowplow left behind.

    Cobos
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    From the video, my car sits lower than the S and it's not a problem. Though I guess in Norway it could be another matter
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    So ..... would you guys say that the Alpha Builds are the equivalent of the EP's ?
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    roblab
    I did a quick photoshop of a chrome line across the front grille and it looks MUCH better. If someone would send me an email I would send you the pic and you could see what I mean. It is really an improvement for so little effort. stelling at napanet dot net gets it. I don't post to any of these photobucket places, so you just get jpeg.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    TEG
    Roughly I guess. Although things are a little different this time around with so much more being done "in house".
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    upload to something like tinypic.com and post
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    mpt
    You can upload pictures here if you wish.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Tommy
    Poster over at Tesla's blog posted this photoshop of the "nose cone" painted same color of car. He admits he's not proficient at photoshop, however I can see what he was trying.

    [?IMG]
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    As crude as it is I actually like it much better body color. I think it makes the hood look longer and sleeker. I would like to see the paint color go down even further to eliminate that last little arch as well.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    Like this sort of.... though I am less proficient than they are ....
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    Now it looks like an eclipse to me.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    eeeeew !! No. LOL Think more Aston Martin .... :biggrin: or even closer to the front of the Roadster even....
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Kevin Harney
    Funny thing to me is that MOST cars are kind of going with that flat front look that I thought was kind of dictated by the EU Pedistrian safety regs. Seems that TM is managing to stay away from that. I am glad they are but wonder if it might change the front with meeting those standards ?!?!?!?
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    qwk
    It looks like an older Lexus to me.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    Tommy
    Nose looks better with driver on board:wink:

    [?IMG]

    If the big picture doesn't post, don't holler at me, still trying to figure out how its done and yes I read the thread how to do it.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    I tend to prefer uploading pics off-site so users don't have to click to enlarge:

    2ag17yh.png
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    PaulM
    I much prefer when the pictures are uploaded directly to TMC. All of those image hosting sites are blocked by my employer's proxy. I often see blank posts... It's quite anoying. I guess I should get back to work now...
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    tdelta1000
    I totally agree. The sunken wheel lugs give it a better look instead of the raised lugs.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    mattjs33
    This car looks angry!

    Anyway, I don't think the "grille" is a plastic cap, as some here have stated. It looks to me like the leading edge of the hood and the bumper cover have been painted black, to mimic the appearance of a grille. I wonder why they felt the need to put a "grille" on the car if it does not require one? Why adhere to "traditional" styling on a car which is anything but?

    Another question I have, which I probably have missed the answer to elsewhere: Tesla says it will be a 7 seater (I've also read more like 5 + 2). Where are the additional two seats, and which way do they face? My assumption is that they are behind the "rear" seats, but with that roofline they'd surely only be suitable for very small children.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    stopcrazypp
    The main reason I think they are keeping the grille is because the original prototype had it and they promised the final product will stay very true to the original prototype. In the original prototype, I think the grille was actually functional (they didn't have the two side grills and the large bottom grille for air flow).
    This was discussed a long time ago. The two extra seats will be rear facing seats like those you get in some station wagons. They definitely will only be suitable for small children.
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  • Jan 19, 2011
    AnOutsider
    Yes, that's the assumption: two rear-facing seats in the "trunk" area. I personally wouldn't want my kids there in a rear-end collission.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    TEG
    [?IMG]
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    vfx
    I thought aggressive as well. Much like the US muscle cars of late.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    benji4
    The Model S alpha build is simply stunning from any angle. Angry, aggressive, or whatever else you want to call it, it's amazing how close Tesla has been able to keep it to the original prototype. I remember being so disappointed seeing how much the Chevy Volt changed in the production model, but no such problem with the Model S it seems. Did anybody like the production Volt more than they liked the prototype? Looking at the posts on this thread, it seems that some people seem to like the Model S alpha MORE than they liked the prototype, some people like it a bit less maybe, but one thing is for certain: if Tesla can really bring this car to market at the price and time they are promising, it has to be considered one of the major accomplishments in history of the automobile. I think I've watched the video about 20 times now, and I just can't get over how beautiful that car looks... What an amazing job they are doing on this thing!
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    TEG
    Well, I did, but I can't say that I liked either (version of Volt) very much.

    ---

    Model S has changed less than I expected so far, but we are at "Alpha" stage, so I suppose it could change more before "Beta", and production.

    My biggest trepidation about Model S is it just seems too big overall, at least for my tastes. I would be much more excited to see a 4/5 scale version of the same car (without the 3rd row seats).
    One can hope that BlueStar will have a lot of the same character and style in a smaller package.

    I think that horizontal line under the doors doesn't look good, but I bet it is just because they didn't paint the side of the battery pack or something like that. Not expecting it to stay that way for production. The 'bulbous' nose (front bumper) on the other hand is something else perhaps a bit questionable. Along with the wheels, the nose/grille of a car seems to be a focal point for judgmental attention. I think a lot of us are waiting to see just how that front bumper buldge looks in person and if they plan to revise it at all.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    vfx
    Same here! I want to love it (Ok, I do love it) and would replace our Roadster for it but when I see it in person it is just too big. Big and beautiful. Lovely to look at but too big to hug.

    Extra frustrating when I read between the lines that Franz wanted a smaller car too.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    bolosky
    That's almost certainly the battery. In the prototype they used a Roadster powertrain, so the battery would have been elsewhere.

    I wonder whether they're going to offer batteries painted to match the body color? If so, then switching batteries might have quite a jolting effect. On the other hand, you could go and get a Very Orange battery on a black car just for Halloween! :smile:
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    roblab
    Thanks, TEG.
    Quick photoshop grille chrome stripe....

    attachment.php?attachmentid=1335&d=1295494126.jpg
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    benji4
    Yes, the Model S is definately not a small car.... it's 20 inches longer than a Prius, for example, if that means anything. I just bought a Roadster and my kids now won't be going to college, but yes, it would be kind of nice maybe to have a car like the Model S but just a bit smaller, a bit more acceleration perhaps -- and then I could trade my Roadster in for it an maybe at least send my kids to a JC. Not sure what to think about the black nose cone. It seems like they just took the logo and some of the design work off the nose of the protoype, and then placed the logo up onto the hood. Kind of cleaner and sleeker looking in a way, perhaps you could say more futuristic looking. A few details here and there that could be improved for sure, but overall --- I still think it's drop-dead gorgeous! Do I want one? Yes!!!
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    roblab
    I appreciate the help getting the photo up. I think I'm catching on.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    SByer
    I wonder if some of the differences from the prototype aren't because of design-meets-tooling. The prototype was done with SpaceX equipment meant for doing one-off pieces; higher volume tooling may have different requirements and that may have an impact. Wind tunnel testing almost certainly did as well.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    mattjs33
    Actually, I like it.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    tomanik
    A version with the 2.5 roadster grill.

    [?IMG]
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    Doug_G
    The Volt went from interesting prototype to zzzZZZZzzz. In contrast, the Model S is still looking quite gorgeous. I suspect the "nosecone" isn't anywhere near the final version.
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    benji4
    Yes, best case you could say the Volt went from being striking cutting-edge to basically just another boring little compact car -- at least on the outside. The Model S now in the alpha rendition retains its striking appearance, and surely this will be the case with the production car as sell. I still think the nosecone looks better than trying to morph a Roadster grill onto the front though, it's really just a matter of personal preference when it gets down something like that.... maybe they could offer different nose options? It would definately be the only car on the market with that kind of option!
    �
  • Jan 19, 2011
    TEG
    If you don't like the way your car looks anymore, bring it in for a "nose job"...
    �
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