Looking Forward to the Model 3 Debut

[ecarfan]

Eh. I don't think I ever believed that the March event would be anything more than what the 2012 event was for the Model X (or, for that matter, anything more than what the 2015 NAIAS was for the Bolt). I have no expectations of seeing "everything."

Agreed. The March unveiling of the Model 3 will simply give us a look at the basic visual design of the car and may not even even show close ups of the dash or interior. Elon will talk in a general way about the car and may not tell us much more than he has said before. But just seeing a prototype of the exterior will make the car more "real" in the minds of many people and is worth doing.

 

[1208]

If I can recall correctly all that was shown on the model X part of the tesla website before the founders reveal was the design, the FWD, the battery kwh and it being AWD.

 

[aronth5]

"Next month", I like the sound of that:smile:

 

[Trev Page]

Agreed. The March unveiling of the Model 3 will simply give us a look at the basic visual design of the car and may not even even show close ups of the dash or interior. Elon will talk in a general way about the car and may not tell us much more than he has said before. But just seeing a prototype of the exterior will make the car more "real" in the minds of many people and is worth doing.

I'm sure they will show a drivable prototype. However the main thing to remember with Tesla, and they've proven it many times so far, is that the exterior of the production cars don't change very much from the prototypes but their interiors change a lot.

 

[bigbear]

"Next month", I like the sound of that:smile:

32/57, me too. Happy caucusing Iowians!

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

At this point, as much as I want to be able to get a Model 3 in 2019, I care much more about Tesla getting the X ramped, getting Powerwall and Powerpack ramped up, and getting Gigafactory 1/5 going. My concern isn't so much when the Model 3 will be produced, but whether Tesla will survive long enough to build it. Of course, if lots of other excited people are willing to lay down $5B in reservations that'd help a lot, but I'm not expecting that.

 

[Max*]

Not so good news ... Tesla doesn’t plan on showing everything about the Model 3 at the March unveiling, will wait closer to production in 2017

Looks like they learned from the X. No folding seats, lower than promised tow capacity, etc.

It makes much more sense to show the shell, and only discuss things that won't change much like AWD/RWD, aluminum vs steel, minimum kwh, etc.

 

[GoTslaGo]

At this point I think everyone is pretty confident Tesla can make an excellent Model 3 (with or without autopilot, supercharging, etc...).

What we all really want to see is: How does it LOOK?

So I'm good with a partial reveal in March. We know Tesla can make it work and drive beautifully. Just want to make sure we want to see ourselves in it!

 

[WarpedOne]

What we all really want to see is: How does it LOOK?

This question translates into "Who is the prime designer?"
I guess it is still Franz so I can sleep peacefully without actually seeing the thing.

I am on record saying X will look bad based on prototype pics.
I must confess I see good design even though I just don't dig SUVs.
I have zero doubt the 3 coupe will look just awesome.

 

[bigbear]

This question translates into "Who is the prime designer?"
I guess it is still Franz so I can sleep peacefully without actually seeing the thing.

I am on record saying X will look bad based on prototype pics.
I must confess I see good design even though I just don't dig SUVs.
I have zero doubt the 3 coupe will look just awesome.

I have zero doubt we'll see the 3 in 31/56 days.

 

[leporsche]

I have zero doubt we'll see the 3 in 31/56 days.

30/55. I can remember a time when that last number was in the 60s.... harsh times they were. And cold.

 

[Bokonon]

30/55. I can remember a time when that last number was in the 60s.... harsh times they were. And cold.

When I was a wee lad, my grandfather would tell me ghost stories of a time when there was only one number, and it was three digits long...

 

[TEG]

I saw this on a Tesla Facebook page today, supposedly taken at the Tilburg factory. If it isn't the 3, does anybody know what it is?

I bet it is this exact car:

Tesla Model S Saleen with Modesta PD Private Coating - YouTube

Tesla Model S -Saleen foto's Autojunk.nl (155573)

 

[MorrisonHiker]

I think you're right, TEG. Good find. It looks really different from the above. From the angle of the image you posted, you can tell the front-end is a lot longer.

 

[jim3cantos]

When I was a wee lad, my grandfather would tell me ghost stories of a time when there was only one number, and it was three digits long...

...we will go back to three digits in less than 60 days [emoji33]

 

[vinnie97]

...we will go back to three digits in less than 60 days [emoji33]

I knew it was inevitable but...say it ain't so. :crying:

 

[S3XY]

I took that to mean that a new counter would be started for when deliveries will begin, not that the reveal would be delayed.

 

[jim3cantos]

I took that to mean that a new counter would be started for when deliveries will begin, not that the reveal would be delayed.

[emoji106] 29/54 (just in case bigbear is missing today)

 

[bigbear]

[emoji106] 29/54 (just in case bigbear is missing today)

Thanks for the assist, the man is trying to keep me down at work.

 

[vinnie97]

I took that to mean that a new counter would be started for when deliveries will begin, not that the reveal would be delayed.

I fully understood that, but the numbers (probably best to put them to 800 at a minimum) will be sobering nonetheless.