When the new model 3 was released, Tesla said it was more aerodynamic, and they stated a number for its Cd. I don't remember what the number was off the top of my head, but the difference is fairly small compared to the original Model 3.
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Highland Front Styling, Better or Worse?
- Thread starter PianoAl
- Start date
The extra drag would be minimal but any air passing through a vent with 360 degrees of surface then negotiating the turbulence around the wheel will cause some extra drag compared to air that is directed around the vehicle. There maybe reasons to have vents like aesthetics or brake cooling but everything else being equal the model without the vents will have a lower drag than the one with them.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
Nope, incorrect. The design is called an air curtain. Although it looks similar to a vent for brake cooling, it does not direct air to the brakes. Instead it directs air past the tires to improve the aerodynamics.
Here's a discussion.
Purpose of front bumper side air vents?
Here's a reference that discusses how it reduces drag:
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-an-air-curtain-on-a-car
The vents on cars used for aesthetics are ones that are fake (it's just black plastic stuck on bumper, no air can actually get past it). These type of passthrough ones actually serve an aerodynamic purpose.
That said, I haven't seen an up close view of the new Performance vents so can't confirm it uses a similar design, which is why I specifically mentioned the old one instead (I have one myself, so I've looked at how the air flows through it when I did DIY PPF).
You say that as if taste is universal, or yours is. Not a fan of Volvo/Polestar but there is no 'ugliest car on the road' - beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The video I posted earlier had Franz/Lars mentioned the refreshed 3 is their slipperiest Tesla. Think the Cd is 0.21.
Many of the high end cars have sculpted taillights. Tesla executed the improvement well with the Highland in this regard. Not sure how they pull it off but the car looks much sleeker and classy.
I think instead of being divisive, we should celebrate that Tesla listened to its consumers and made improvements with the design.
The nose is weird, but the rest of it--lights and sides and overall proportions of the old one is better. Better visual rhythm, especially lights. Could have fixed it by having a slight sharp crease in the nose like the S. To me, new one from the front looks like a completely generic 1990s or 2000s Japanese rental car. Entirely forgettable, and somewhat awkward proportions.
I think it's universal that then new rear is superior---and a good looking car rear is not common. Good job on that.
Macb00kemdanno
Member
Exactly. People here are making declarations as if they are fact. It’s all subjective, so at the end of the day, who cares? Like what you like.
I found the Highland front a little shocking to be honest, but all new car shapes feel that at first, but mostly it looks like a Kia/Hyundai....whereas the old M3 is Porschey. But when the shock wore off, it sort of looks ok...nice even. Especially in red
Macb00kemdanno
Member
I think there’s a difference when it comes to intelligently discussing the merits of styling. But if we’re going to devolve into just declaring something the ugliest car on the road with no reasoning behind it or justification, it just seems like a pointless endeavor.
If I just say the Lucid Air is the ugliest car on the road and was beaten with an ugly stick and didn’t explain my reasoning, I don’t think my opinion would really matter much to people.
You must be confusing this thread with CyberTruck's.
I don't recall anyone assigning that attribute to either the old or the new Model 3.
Frankly, the differences between the two are minute. An average person will hardly be able to tell the two apart.
It's like an LCI (life-cycle-impulse) update with Audi's and BMWs - only a few car nuts can tell which car is which. Or care.
You are kidding, right?
Lucid Air is the most aerodynamically efficient shape on the road right now, with 0.197 CD.
It is also more mechanically efficient than anything Tesla has ever engineered.
It's too big for my needs, but if I was in a market for Model S, Lucid Air would beat it in the race to my driveway.
CyberTruck, on the other hand, has the design subtlety of a Tonka truck.
Compared to CT, either Model 3 is a Mona Lisa.
IMHO,
a
Macb00kemdanno
Member
My comment was in response to mborkow's statements a few posts up declaring that Volvos were the ugliest things on the road and had been beaten with an ugly stick.
I don't think that the Lucid Air is ugly. I was using it as an example: "If I just say that..."
I could have easily put Cybertruck, Mach-E, EV9, or any other vehicle in that statement... the Lucid Air just happened to be on my mind at that second. I was just making the point that me just saying "X is ugly" doesn't advance the discussion. Saying that "X is ugly because of this, or because the designers choose to implement this particular design feature" is more beneficial.
My only observation on the new front is that it looks a little bland without the fog lights and the little marker lights. I prefer my 22 M3 front end but would buy the new one if I decided to add another M3 to the household. They are close in appearance and I consider both of them good looking.
Yea I feel the T looks less busy as well, but sometimes I look at it and I am like maybe its not so bad lol
404 Not Found
Member
I like the older front end a bit better, but definitely like the rear on the new version. Especially the TESLA lettering. Perfect job with that. The wheels are another improvement, most of all the silver 19". Now I'm getting excited to see how the refreshed Model Y will look.
ucmndd
Well-Known Member
I bought a 2023 Model 3 in spite of the styling, not because of it. It is a very awkward car from most angles but I’ve learned to live with it. It’s a frog, personified as a car. To be honest I’m surprised OP didn’t name one of his disturbingly anthropomorphized pets “Kermit” because that’s the only name that comes to my mind.
The refresh is visually better in every way to my eye, and it’s not even close.
The refresh is visually better in every way to my eye, and it’s not even close.
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