Rendered Speculation: R&T takes a guess at Tesla's Model S
Road and Track has taken an early speculative look at what Tesla's Model S sedan may look like. Of course, it's impossible to know for sure how close this rendering may be to the real thing, but it's always fun to guess, right? We can see some clear inspiration taken from the company's first effort, the Tesla Roadster, along with a hint of Nissan GT-R in its flanks. We know for sure that the rear of the car will feature a deeply sloping hatchback, like the Porsche Panamera, and R&T's artists seem to have that feature down, as well. We've actually gotten an early peek at the Model S from the rear via Tesla's new design chief Franz von Holzhausen, formerly of Mazda fame, which shows a nice carbon fiber rear diffuser and an aerodynamically sound cut-off hind end. Unfortunately, the Model S has been delayed by roughly six months due to the tough economic climate and some massive reorganization taking place at the Silicon Valley automaker. We don't expect to see the fully developed car until next Spring. Thanks for the tip, Kunal!
[Source: Road & Track]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 10:57PM (10/25/2008)
way overdone on the side, but still good.
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trashcan 11:05PM (10/25/2008)
It looks like a 4 door coupe. I like the way it looks, but I was expecting something bigger, something that might be a competitor with the A6. I wonder what their margins are like at 60k.
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trashcan 11:08PM (10/25/2008)
Doh, I meant a 2 door sedan. It's hard to get a feel for the scale, but it looks really small,
Yago Bal 11:11PM (10/25/2008)
With unaerodynamic huge grille and multiple side vents for a refrigeration the electric engine doesn't need, that rendering can't be close to the real car, I guess...
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Marc-O 11:55PM (10/25/2008)
The motor doesn't need that much cooling, sure, but the battery pack does - just look at the Roadster. Also, there will be a range extender ICE option, and that needs to breathe as well...
why not the LS2LS7? 12:07AM (10/26/2008)
The motor needs a lot of cooling. A LOT of cooling. It's liquid cooled now in the 1.5 drivetrain.
lingenfelter 9:58AM (10/26/2008)
Except that it's nearly identical to the car that R&T Photographed for their Test Drive of the Telsa Model S Version 1.5 The only difference is the additional (smalle) side vent.
Yago Bal 10:11AM (10/26/2008)
@Marc-O:
@why not the LS2LS7?:
You guys may be right, but...
We can compare the Elise and the Roadster and see how the Roadster loses not only the side air intakes near the engine compartment, but also gets a quite smaller grille on the front (and part of that air intake is there for aerodynamic reasons, exiting near the windshield and creating downforce).
Put this rendering besides the Roadster, and tell me its huge grille is similar.
And if it is now liquid cooled, it needs even LESS air for proper refrigeration, as it is quite more effective.
@lingenfelter:
Could you provide us that picture? I never heard of such test drive...
Kumail 11:19PM (10/25/2008)
i still hate the fact that i can't hear it....
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thomas 11:40PM (10/25/2008)
put some playing cards in the spokes?
why not the LS2LS7? 11:33PM (10/25/2008)
It's a Nissan from the front too, with some Mitsu Lancer mixed in.
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thomas 11:37PM (10/25/2008)
pretty sure the tesla roadster has had a bottom feeder grille for while now. possibly before mitsu.....
also, i'm pretty sure electric motors still need some cooling. the occupants inside certainly do.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:06AM (10/26/2008)
Before Mitsu, what? No.
Mitsu had a large open grille on the bottom at least since the Evo IV in the mid-90s.
thomas 11:59PM (10/25/2008)
its definitely got some nissan-ish-ness to it....
it has that character line/shoulder from the altima.... turned up to 11. the bottom feeder grille is nothing new to tesla, but also hints at the 350z
the fact that their head of design is former mazda and was responsible for stuff like the furai and the nagare brings some doubt as to how accurate these pics are. but i would also not want to imply that he was a one trick pony
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Nick 1:20AM (10/26/2008)
Looks nice, but I hope they remove the excessive details like the small air vent on the corner of the bumper, and that range rover plate right in front of the front door.
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dylan 2:07AM (10/26/2008)
there's gotta be a Nissan connection here somewhere, common now its like a 350z literally stretched to fit two more doors.
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ugg.tryptophan 2:35AM (10/26/2008)
I dont know where everyone is getting the nissan connection. To me it looks like the american version of Lotus' design language; but cleaner, more straight, and with less baubles... the American way.
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seanleeforever 6:16AM (10/26/2008)
click the image, or the link, and then you will see.
Mike 5:32AM (10/26/2008)
You don't get it? Oh, so you've never seen a GT-R then?
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Rene Curry 10:58AM (10/26/2008)
I find it incredible that they can put any resources into a 4 door when they haven't nailed down the 2 door sport coupe.
The price point for both their vehicles are way too high to sustain sales after the initial pop from collectors and elites. And yes, the Volt will have the same problem.
Their business model should have been to design a "real" car that would compete again the Camry's and Accord's of the world.
Unless California sets special legislation to create an artificial market for their products, I can't see their survival as a manufacturer, only as a custom builder in a small shop.
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