Wings have lift without having to have angle. They also are able to support the weight of the airplane. The car's too heavy for the surface of these wings unless we are talking speeds 'way over believable. The cross section of the FWD is almost an upside down wing, with the flat area on top, curved section underneath. I know this is all fun and pretend. But it can't work. Physics is still in control.
My point exactly. You either need an airfoil with more curve across the top than the bottom or you need a positive Angle of Attack. In this case you have neither.
You're forgetting the large trunk space where a couple of Draco engines can be fitted for use when in flight.
Aloha Bonnie, First, let me join the chorus of others who have congratulated you on the delivery, and the excitement of the soon to be configured Founders X. I can't think of anyone else in the TMC community more deserving. You've been a true ambassador for the mission of Tesla Motors, and I am greatly appreciate of your patience Now, while you're at it with a tape measure...can you give us a measurement of the maximum (exterior) height of the fully open FWD? Both at 'Very High' and 'Very Low' Suspension settings? I'm trying to gauge if it's at all feasible to fit this thing in my (relatively small) garage. I realize that the sensors should prevent it from opening fully if there isn't enough clearance, but my garage is fairly narrow as well, so there won't be very much room for it to swing out if it can't open up. In addition, my garage door has a tension bar that is located just about where I would imagine the FWD opens up. If you're feeling especially generous, could you measure where (relative to the overall length of the vehicle) the FWD opening is? More specifically, where are the leading edge and the trailing edges of the FWD from the front and rear bumpers. That might help to determine if I can make it work by backing it in rather than pulling in forward. Alternatively, if anyone can point me to a document that has all of these measurements readily available, that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance!
It is a shame that the lack of basic data is landing on Bonnie's lap. I completely understand the reason for all the questions. Bonnie has been more than gracious, but she didn't start the fire. Tesla Marketing, how about filling the info gap?
I am right there with you. I'm pretty sure this is the only thing holding us back at this point. That said, because of the self-adjusting articulation, I'm not sure how to get precise measurements of the envelope of door travel without trying it in a nearly identical space. Bonnie's photo of the X in her garage on the first night (plywood overhead) was a decent replication of my space, but I couldn't tell how far out they went, and how low the outside edges were. My hope is that as more people take delivery and post photos/measurements, I'll find someone with similar dimensions or I'll just start to get more comfortable with garage clearances. Imagine, for instance, nobody having problems with any of their garage situations. At some point my confidence will just outgrow my concerns.
I earlier did the basic calculations to come up with an estimate of max height of 7'6" (90") this is further reinforced by a measurement posted earlier today of 81" to the lowest point on the open door, adding in the door thickness and the wing droop from the top of the elbow hinge to the wingtip would get you to about 90"
It's Tesla engineering that has this data in their 3D modeling of the X. Should be no big deal to give the appropriate views. C'mon guys & gals!!!
I'll work with TMC to get a wiki started - people can add their questions to the list, owners can edit with answers as they check things out. Stay tuned.
I think that waiting to do some testing in person, either with either a private parties MX, or waiting until a local store has one you can play with, or test drive makes more sense. In other words I think that it makes more to be 100% sure, instead of feeling confident.
I will admit that my confidence has grown as more new-owner early reviews come in, but in the end: what Mitch said.
Does anyone happen to know ~when the auto publications release their full reviews (Car And Driver, Motor Trend, etc)?
Ahhhh.... but then there's that acceleration loss (Propulsion) once the tires leave the ground. So best would be up and down up and down.
The auto publications will need to wait until TM has enough Model X's for the magazines to trash in their testing. Probably gonna be awhile - my guess would be no sooner than the end of first quarter 2016. - - - Updated - - - Unless Falcon rocket engines were mounted to the underside of the raised Falcon Wing Doors...
This of course is the airspeed of an unladen North American Ludicrous swallow. (OK, to make this posting at least a teensy bit on-topic...congrats bonnie on the X delivery and thank you for trying to satisfy our collective thirst for information. I like all of the "Tesla family portrait in white" pictures, but my favorite so far is the one in post #1005.)