Author Topic: TESLA Model III (Read 508379 times)

EV Dan · « **Reply #40 on:** March 04, 2016, 10:43:02 pm »

Quote from: X-Traction on March 04, 2016, 09:20:36 pm

Quote from: EV Dan on March 03, 2016, 10:20:04 am
http://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-rumors-from-insider-unveiling-invites-sent-out/

Fabric seats to save costs and size of Audi A4 (rumoured)

I'm fine with either and hope cost cutting won't make it a FWD... $:-\$

Good point. Perhaps there's little reason for 2wd ev's to be fwd instead of rwd. Given that with few exceptions mass-produced cars with rear/mid engines don't make sense for most buyers, it's been almost universal to put the engine in the front. To make a front-engined car rwd requires the weight of a driveshaft plus the resulting compromised interior space. EV batteries usually are center or rear-mounted, and use cables instead of a driveshaft. So other than the relatively small mass and volume of the electric motor being at the back axle instead of the front, a 2wd EV makes as much sense to be rwd as fwd.

It could be general public finds FWD cars safer but for that reason or another all budget EVs (i3 is not) have been FWD.
Ok. Smart is another exception IIRC.

bye · « **Reply #41 on:** March 05, 2016, 12:22:47 am »

The Smart ED is rear wheel drive. Too bad Mercedes put so much traction control into the stability program, it's hard to get the car to rotate under power, shame considering all the torque.

safristi · « **Reply #42 on:** March 05, 2016, 07:07:27 am »

I'm waiting for the slippery Snake Oil iteration............................

X-Traction · « **Reply #43 on:** March 05, 2016, 10:30:11 pm »

Quote from: EV Dan on March 04, 2016, 10:43:02 pm

Quote from: X-Traction on March 04, 2016, 09:20:36 pm
Quote from: EV Dan on March 03, 2016, 10:20:04 am
http://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-rumors-from-insider-unveiling-invites-sent-out/

Fabric seats to save costs and size of Audi A4 (rumoured)

I'm fine with either and hope cost cutting won't make it a FWD... $:-\$

Good point. Perhaps there's little reason for 2wd ev's to be fwd instead of rwd. Given that with few exceptions mass-produced cars with rear/mid engines don't make sense for most buyers, it's been almost universal to put the engine in the front. To make a front-engined car rwd requires the weight of a driveshaft plus the resulting compromised interior space. EV batteries usually are center or rear-mounted, and use cables instead of a driveshaft. So other than the relatively small mass and volume of the electric motor being at the back axle instead of the front, a 2wd EV makes as much sense to be rwd as fwd.

It could be general public finds FWD cars safer but for that reason or another all budget EVs (i3 is not) have been FWD.
Ok. Smart is another exception IIRC.

Personally I think fwd cars are less safe than rwd cars. Fwd has a bad habit of fishtailing out of control. Yes, without much weight in them fwd has better traction than rwd most of the time (not on steep uphills or if the rwd is loaded), but the main reason so much marketing effort was put into conning the public that fwd was safer, was to cover up that they were just cheaper to build and had more interior room. EV changes all that, but as you say there will be inertial in public sentiment.

EV Dan · « **Reply #44 on:** March 06, 2016, 02:52:15 pm »

Quote from: kevlar on March 06, 2016, 01:27:21 pm

Invitations are being sent out for the unveiling. http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2016/03/05/model-3-invites-start-going-out-what-do-we-know-about-teslas-small-sedan/#149bd0085b5d This is going to be a compelling option in Ontario with that 14k dollar discount courtesy of the govt. I really hope they keep the hatchback configuration.

Link doesn't work for me. Can you copy and paste, esp. the part about a hatchback config?

EV Dan · « **Reply #45 on:** March 09, 2016, 05:29:12 pm »

http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/03/7301383/tesla-model-3-to-have-35-000-cost-and-200-mile-range-ana

It's likely according to this guy that Model 3's body will be made of steel to cut on production costs.

rrocket · « **Reply #46 on:** March 09, 2016, 06:03:17 pm »

Quote from: EV Dan on March 09, 2016, 05:29:12 pm

http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/03/7301383/tesla-model-3-to-have-35-000-cost-and-200-mile-range-ana

It's likely according to this guy that Model 3's body will be made of steel to cut on production costs.

Quote from: EV Dan on March 09, 2016, 05:29:12 pm

http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/03/7301383/tesla-model-3-to-have-35-000-cost-and-200-mile-range-ana

It's likely according to this guy that Model 3's body will be made of steel to cut on production costs.

So I guess the question...why bother with a Tesla over a Bolt?

safristi · « **Reply #47 on:** March 09, 2016, 07:38:34 pm »

Bezinghazi...................another disaster......................

wing · « **Reply #48 on:** March 09, 2016, 07:53:10 pm »

Bolt looks like a weird hatchback. Model 3 will be a nice sedan or so we assume

EV Dan · « **Reply #49 on:** March 09, 2016, 08:12:03 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on March 09, 2016, 06:03:17 pm

Quote from: EV Dan on March 09, 2016, 05:29:12 pm
http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/03/7301383/tesla-model-3-to-have-35-000-cost-and-200-mile-range-ana

It's likely according to this guy that Model 3's body will be made of steel to cut on production costs.

Quote from: EV Dan on March 09, 2016, 05:29:12 pm
http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/03/7301383/tesla-model-3-to-have-35-000-cost-and-200-mile-range-ana

It's likely according to this guy that Model 3's body will be made of steel to cut on production costs.

So I guess the question...why bother with a Tesla over a Bolt?

RWD (hopefully) is one big reason. Besides that I imagine Model 3 will be similar in proportions to the 3 series and that is subjectively a sexier and sportier look.