Body kits.

[Trav]

Does anybody know how the current after market body kits will affect the performance?

Body kit Tesla S Larte

Unplugged Performance | Unplugged Performance Complete Front Fascia System

News | Aftermarket Accessories for Tesla Model S

I think some of them look pretty good, but I am not sure if I would get one.

I presume it may also impact on the warranty?

 

[Mark E]

Does anybody know how the current after market body kits will affect the performance?

Body kit Tesla S Larte

Unplugged Performance | Unplugged Performance Complete Front Fascia System

News | Aftermarket Accessories for Tesla Model S

I think some of them look pretty good, but I am not sure if I would get one.

I presume it may also impact on the warranty?

Unless it's more aerodynamic (which I doubt) it'd probably reduce range at speed. Wind drag has a big effect on range - and is more pronounced at heigher speeds - in a logrithmic curve, so the difference between 100 and 120 is more than between 80-100.

 

[One Gear]

This may be of interest:

Tesla Model S Body Kit: Definitely Different, Range-Robbing Too?

 

[Trav]

So it will look faster, but go slower and travel less distance........

 

[doctorwho]

So it will look faster, but go slower and travel less distance........

new rules for EVs, well the same rules of physics but until we get a 200kWhr battery they noticeably apply. A real go faster/further mod would be some aero wheel covers

 

[ecarfan]

IMO, the companies that sell these sorts of body kits should do some serious testing so they can tell potential buyers how they effect the cars range. Of course they likely don't do any such testing, these kits are mostly about looks and little to do with functional improvements.
I would never buy one of these for an EV as it is quite possible that it will reduce the useful range of the vehicle.

Now if it was proven to extend the range by say, 10%, that would be very compelling for some people. But I seriously doubt that is the case.

 

[Mark E]

This may be of interest:

Tesla Model S Body Kit: Definitely Different, Range-Robbing Too?

What's with the fake exhausts?

 

[MangroveMike]

What's with the fake exhausts?

funny! It looks like a little fan - why????? I guess you could put red-coloured LEDs on the edge and it will look like a hot exhaust Just need to add the V8 rumble and it would be complete ;-)

 

[LVSP85D]

You may lose some range for additional downforce and looks.

 

[Dborn]

Well, i suppose where they have placed that low central stop light could, instead, be used for a tow bar like the ecohitch, and make that look more integrated. That is about the nicest thing i can say for this. Personally, i would like to see no nose cone, keep the shape exactly as it is including the various folds that are there and have the whole body colour. A redesign of the logo strip to have a deeper central "V" to accommodate the "T" with the sides of the V being a concave curve would provide the necessary contrast along with the obligatory number plate...
The jumper posts could be relocated inside the froot, or behind a concealed panel in the logo strip.

 

[Higgy]

The one cosmetic body change I considered was to use a carbon fibre wrap on the nose cone (approx. $100). However, with the number plate in place the nose cone doesn't look as shiny as the naked nose cone does.

 

[Trav]

Evannex has just released a new body kit, that they claim provides additional performance. It would be interesting to test them on the statement and see if it impacted on range.

Aerokit | Aftermarket Accessories for Tesla Model S

 

[doctorwho]

I'd be interested in some aero that increased range more so than performance

 

[ZTrekus]

I'd be interested in some aero that increased range more so than performance

Given how aerodynamic the Tesla already is, I think the only possible improvement is to remove the side mirrors and turn them into cameras.

Also maybe turn the wheels into discs - or as the Americans would say, disks.

 

[meloccom]

Evannex has just released a new body kit, that they claim provides additional performance. It would be interesting to test them on the statement and see if it impacted on range.

Aerokit | Aftermarket Accessories for Tesla Model S

That is a RevoZport body kit who are forum sponsors and are a bit closer.
RevoZport upgrade for Model S

 

[Trav]

That is a RevoZport body kit who are forum sponsors and are a bit closer.
RevoZport upgrade for Model S

I was more interested in the claimed benefits to the preformance as well as the impact to the range.

 

[Dborn]

If you add stuff to the airstream plus mass, exactly how can these things improve performance, particularly when the underlying design is already very aerodynamic and, other than the mirrors, there are no,protrusions to speak of? Ok, the windscreen wipers project slightly above bonnet line.

 

[Trav]

If you add stuff to the airstream plus mass, exactly how can these things improve performance, particularly when the underlying design is already very aerodynamic and, other than the mirrors, there are no,protrusions to speak of? Ok, the windscreen wipers project slightly above bonnet line.

This is what they claim.

The R-Zentric aerokit is designed with sole mission of improving the handling performance and rear entertainment for the Tesla Model S. The aerokit is designed with industrial grade CAD software and manufactured to the highest precision, consists of the following components: Carbon composite front splitter, side skirts, fender flares, rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. The aerokit would achieve the higher downforce and weight savings that enable a performance coherent to the power of the car. Furthermore, the Ultra light weight Klassen ID Forged 22” alloys wearing 9.5J/255 up front and 11J/295 rubber at the back. This would increase the overall track width by about 40mm.

 

[Mark E]

This is what they claim.

The R-Zentric aerokit is designed with sole mission of improving the handling performance and rear entertainment for the Tesla Model S. The aerokit is designed with industrial grade CAD software and manufactured to the highest precision, consists of the following components: Carbon composite front splitter, side skirts, fender flares, rear diffuser and trunk spoiler. The aerokit would achieve the higher downforce and weight savings that enable a performance coherent to the power of the car. Furthermore, the Ultra light weight Klassen ID Forged 22” alloys wearing 9.5J/255 up front and 11J/295 rubber at the back. This would increase the overall track width by about 40mm.

Higher downforce = more drag = less range.

Higher downforce may be useful on a racetrack, but not much at 110-120km/h on the open road. I haven't had any issues with the car lifting at speed, so unless you intend to drive really fast for a short period of time the advantage is likely to be negligible.

As an example of this kind of claim, I'll talk about my experiences with performance ICE cars. There are lots of aftermarket chip sets available to improve the performance of an ICE. A local performance and maintenance shop to me who specialise in Porsche have an open bet that if a customer brings the chips in and dynos the car before and after then the cost of the dyno and installation will be free if it's actually better. This applies to normally aspirated cars - not turbos - which can be programmed to be short lived but more powerful, by just increasing the boost.

I don't know of anyone getting the dyno for free.