I like this idea. But I hope that by the time Gen3 will be produced AWD, ACC and ventilated front seats will be available. I also would like a 100 KWh Gen3 version. A car like this would be ideal in Rome
At 158" I would be concerned about the small size, at least for the US market. The BMW 328I series 4 door has an overall length of 182", the Kia Optima 190" and the VW Jetta TDI 182 inches.
I think it will be a sedan, and then a coupe variant and then a convertible variant. Hopefully pretty quickly because I want the Convertible.
This order would be the best way to go. If they want it to be a true mass market car, it really does need to be a midsize sedan. A coupe and convertible version can come next (and hopefully they do)
As does my wife but I thnk aerodynamics play such a huge part of Tesla's "secret sauce" that a range sucking soft top would be released when battery tech is in the 600 mile range. A hard top convertible is probably doable (though not aero perfect, complicated and heavy) and with a frunk there is no loss of carrying space.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/BMW_320d_Sport_Line_%28F30%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_26._Februar_2012%2C_W%C3%BClfrath.jpg/640px-BMW_320d_Sport_Line_%28F30%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_26._Februar_2012%2C_W%C3%BClfrath.jpg
I think that Tesla can do better than BMW. In fact Model S has already a much better style than BMW series 5 or 7. I think that also in the case of GenIII Tesla will overtake BMW Style. - - - Updated - - - No please I don't like the small rear doors.
2014 A3 Sportback which won't be sold in the US would be a good start. Hatchback provides versatility and great storage for a car of this size. 2014 Audi A3 Sportback Not Coming to U.S.
I'm guessing the GenIII will be a 2 door car. It will not be a big car. Just big enough to fit a large enough battery below the floor. I envision it seating 4 adults comfortably, with plenty of storage. I'm guessing 2 battery options, with the standard battery getting a range of maybe 180 miles, and the upgraded battery getting 250 miles. Base pricing around $33K after the tax credit? Hopefully by then it will be a point of purchase credit.
I think the hardtop on my 3 series only adds a couple hundred pounds. No idea what it does to the aeros with it down.
Remember this thread? : Tesla Model C Concept Design Study Perhaps Tesla can come up with some radical door design that has two doors but still lets passengers get in back without having to move the front seat forward. I don't like those half doors either. Hopefully there is a better way. Note, some nice things about traditional 4 doors: #1: Rear passengers can enter/exit without disturbing the driver and front passenger. #2: The doors tend to be less long so less chance of "door dings" to neighboring cars and the ability to get in/out even in compact parking spaces.
i hope the gen 111 has a little more rear end than the model above to protect the rear passengers in a rear end crash.