Model 3 Mule Sightings

[stopcrazypp]

Besides the wheel design, which might change in the coming weeks, the shape of the car strongly resembles another luxury sedan:
View attachment 221935

When the concept came out, people did say the front looked like a Porsche (mainly the headlights). The main difference is the sharp crease in the front. However, the crease is less visible in current photos (might be lighting, might be smoothed out in final version), so it looks even more like a Porsche.

However, the overall shape is mostly Model S.

The older Panamera had an ugly hump (for rear headroom) and rear end (bulbous):

The recent one is a lot better but changing the roof slope (they actually dropped the roof line by 0.8 inch, dropping the seats lower to keep headroom the same, and made the car 1.3 inches longer for better proportions):

2017 Porsche Panamera - First Drive Review

 

[BluestarE3]

There you go
View attachment 221939

Sorry, but that's not a Tesla Model 3. Look at the caption in the lower-left of the photo. It's clearly an ALSET.

 

[T34ME]

The recent one (Panamera) is a lot better but changing the roof slope (they actually dropped the roof line by 0.8 inch, dropping the seats lower to keep headroom the same, and made the car 1.3 inches longer for better proportions):

And the TM3 is still a better looking car by far - better proportions, better CD, better balance,...........and faster off the line!

 

[acentre]

and much less expensive to purchase and operate!

 

[WarpedOne]

But but german interior!!
I,ll just buy german sofa ...

 

[Foxhound199]

However, the crease is less visible in current photos (might be lighting, might be smoothed out in final version)

Is there really any question that they have smoothed out the front? Just look where the line of the nose cone ends relative to the front reflector.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Is there really any question that they have smoothed out the front? Just look where the line of the nose cone ends relative to the front reflector.

There are no pictures from the exact same angle and color (the silver makes the lines very obvious in the alpha). The black and blue so far hides the lines.

 

[Sonny Daze]

Is there really any question that they have smoothed out the front? Just look where the line of the nose cone ends relative to the front reflector.

I am still questioning, but am leaning towards the possibility that is has changed. Angle, lighting, color and reflections still have me holding back on final conclusion.

 

[ecarfan]

Is there really any question that they have smoothed out the front?

Yes, there is reason to question whether or not the release candidate cars differ in front from the 2016 prototypes. I'm not convinced.

I am convinced that it doesn't matter. The release candidate cars recently photographed are what the production cars will look like.

What matters is seeing the cars up close in person and driving them. And for that we have to wait...

 

[Model 3]

Is there really any question that they have smoothed out the front?

No. But it may still be questioned by how much... Anyway it's clear that something has been smoothed out...

 

[alexeiw123]

using my expert photo-shopping skills to highlight the lines...

i think it's very clear that the lines on the front of the car have been adjusted, when compared to the fog/corner light.

Old alpha on the bottom, blue and black being the recent builds.

 

[nikeykid]

my brother in law happened to be in palo alto this afternoon and found the first black release candidate model 3 with the (hopefully) non-production headlights and original rims. nothing new that we didn't already know that I could spot, except this little box next to the screen, maybe that's only testing equipment?? anyway he called me after he took these pics and we were screaming like two teenage girls and we're self-respecting men, usually.

 

[Thomas Edison]

using my expert photo-shopping skills to highlight the lines...

i think it's very clear that the lines on the front of the car have been adjusted, when compared to the fog/corner light.

Old alpha on the bottom, blue and black being the recent builds.

You can see it better in this photo

 

[jsrawa]

my brother in law happened to be in palo alto this afternoon and found the first black release candidate model 3 with the (hopefully) non-production headlights and original rims. nothing new that we didn't already know that I could spot, except this little box next to the screen, maybe that's only testing equipment?? anyway he called me after he took these pics and we were screaming like two teenage girls and we're self-respecting men, usually.

View attachment 222063 View attachment 222064 View attachment 222065

Thanks for the pics! Working through the weekend apparently, nice.

 

[MikeBur]

my brother in law happened to be in palo alto this afternoon and found the first black release candidate model 3 with the (hopefully) non-production headlights and original rims. nothing new that we didn't already know that I could spot, except this little box next to the screen, maybe that's only testing equipment?? anyway he called me after he took these pics and we were screaming like two teenage girls and we're self-respecting men, usually.

Box is likely some kind of data logger, either custom or something like the Ct flexray: http://www.dataloggerinc.com/datasheets/influx/CT_Spec_Sheet_WEB.pdf

Note potentially similar connector on from with likely ribbon cable down to diagnostic connector

 

[FlatSix911]

The Model 3 still looks far better than the redesigned Panamera ... at about 1/4 the price

When the concept came out, people did say the front looked like a Porsche (mainly the headlights). The main difference is the sharp crease in the front. However, the crease is less visible in current photos (might be lighting, might be smoothed out in final version), so it looks even more like a Porsche.

However, the overall shape is mostly Model S.

The older Panamera had an ugly hump (for rear headroom) and rear end (bulbous):

The recent one is a lot better but changing the roof slope (they actually dropped the roof line by 0.8 inch, dropping the seats lower to keep headroom the same, and made the car 1.3 inches longer for better proportions):

2017 Porsche Panamera - First Drive Review

 

[Thomas Edison]

Thanks for the pic, the dash looks deeper from that angle and I didn't realize it had that much of a step up to the second level

 

[houdini]

Thanks for the pics! Working through the weekend apparently, nice.

Except by the way he's hiding his face I reckon he stole it for a joyride.

 

[BluestarE3]

You can see it better in this photo

I like that iridescent paint job. What's with all those antennas? I thought Elon hated antennas and wouldn't even allow a "shark fin". Hope they are there just for testing/calibration purposes.

 

[AnxietyRanger]

@nikeykid Thanks for the images!

Any chance of full-res ones of the first or first two, to check that steering wheel closely for buttons?