Model 3 RC sightings

[garsh]

I wouldn't mind getting a free set of aero covers for use when I travel.
I wouldn't want them everyday though.

I'm leaning in this direction too. I'm going to be disappointed if we find out that the aero covers are actually offered on steel rims.

 

[N5329K]

Elon disagrees:
Elon Musk on Twitter

I apologize for straying off-topic, but if anyone is interested in a short but pretty accurate account of the who what where and why of Tesla's beginnings (some of which contradicts Mr Musk's Twitter post), this is worth reading:
Here's The Untold Story Of How Tesla Motors Got Its Name
Note the dates.
Robin

 

[Jayc]

I'm leaning in this direction too. I'm going to be disappointed if we find out that the aero covers are actually offered on steel rims.

Very unlikely they will manage to make steel rims sufficiently strong yet light enough to get the desired increase in range.

 

[CaliBear1]

They're really starting to grow on me as well, especially with the white paint.

This is also one of the better RCs I've seen in terms of panel fit.

Dechrome the trim and replace it with matte black. Pretty sweet combo. I'm still hoping for that Alpha prototype silver color as an option for those who reserved on day one. I know, I know, pipe dream.

 

[BluestarE3]

Pair of Model 3's I saw the other day. • r/teslamotors

The same white with no right cover...

I wonder if they intentionally removed the cover piece to show that, despite speculation, there is no secondary charge port on the passenger side? Somebody at Tesla is having a lot of fun thinking up ways to tease us: Cover something here; don't cover something there; drive around and park at popular tourist sites; drive around the country where no one expects to see you and surprise, surprise, there you are. Now everyone is abuzz and on the lookout for you. Free hype and a way to reveal features (or lack thereof) without formally announcing or committing to them.

 

[McFlurri]

Except that the car's going to ship with the aero covers on them.

That's a pretty definitive statement.

Where did you hear that 100% the aero wheels are the base rims?

 

[lunitiks]

I wonder if they intentionally removed the cover piece to show that, despite speculation, there is no secondary charge port on the passenger side? Somebody at Tesla is having a lot of fun thinking up ways to tease us: Cover something here; don't cover something there; drive around and park at popular tourist sites; drive around the country where no one expects to see you and surprise, surprise, there you are. Now everyone is abuzz and on the lookout for you. Free hype and a way to reveal features (or lack thereof) without formally announcing or committing to them.

Like crappy panel alignment?

 

[alseTrick]

Except that the car's going to ship with the aero covers on them.

According to whom?

 

[Garlan Garner]

I wonder if they intentionally removed the cover piece to show that, despite speculation, there is no secondary charge port on the passenger side? Somebody at Tesla is having a lot of fun thinking up ways to tease us: Cover something here; don't cover something there; drive around and park at popular tourist sites; drive around the country where no one expects to see you and surprise, surprise, there you are. Now everyone is abuzz and on the lookout for you. Free hype and a way to reveal features (or lack thereof) without formally announcing or committing to them.

I believe 100% of what you are indicating.

I don't know how its an advantage to Tesla to tease customers. I just don't get it. That would really be kinda be rude if it turns out to be true.

 

[Super_Popular]

What does "RC" mean?

 

[e-FTW]

What does "RC" mean?

Release Candidate.

 

[Garlan Garner]

What does "RC" mean?

Right now RC doesn't stand for anything more than a type of Soda. Especially since there isn't anything in my driveway to say otherwise.

Just kidding.....lol

 

[cdub]

What does "RC" mean?

Remote Control.

 

[Super_Popular]

Release Candidate.

Gotcha

 

[plankeye]

That's a pretty definitive statement.

Where did you hear that 100% the aero wheels are the base rims?

They are the 18" wheel we've been seeing with the covers on them. So, unless they whip out a totally different 18" wheel for the production cars, these are them.

Also, we know the other wheel is 19", because there were finally pics where you could see the tire size.

 

[plankeye]

According to whom?

Here's my reasoning:

 

[Garlan Garner]

Here's my reasoning:
View attachment 231946

Wow. You have a lot of extra time on your hands.

You could have just waited a month and said.....see...

 

[22522]

I wonder what the acoustic profile of the setup is...

 

[stopcrazypp]

Here's my reasoning:
View attachment 231946

As noted above, the spoke design is very similar to the c5 z06:

The difference is the bolts are arranged more like the C6 Centennial wheels:

Given previous Daimler investment in Tesla (and Tesla using their parts bin), I decided to google some 5/10 spoke designs from Mercedes and found the 18 inch 2018 AMG CLA45 wheels are the closest in design (spoke angles and bolt location):

2018 AMG CLA45 4-Door Coupe | Mercedes-Benz
Which is an evolution of the previous gen design:

 

[plankeye]

As noted above, the spoke design is very similar to the c5 z06:


The difference is the bolts are arranged more like the C6 Centennial wheels:


Given Daimler investment in Tesla, I decided to google some 5/10 spoke designs from Mercedes and found the 18 inch 2018 AMG CLA45 wheels are the closest in design (spoke angles and bolt location):

2018 AMG CLA45 4-Door Coupe | Mercedes-Benz
Which is an evolution of the previous gen design:

Those are all great looking wheels, but are clearly not meant to be covered by a full wheel cover as the 18" Model 3 wheels are going to be.

Besides, the aero covers are necessary to hit the .21cd Tesla's shooting for.

Trust me, my heart broke when I saw the first pic of the covers and figured out that they were indeed the covers for the 18" wheels that I loved and thought I was getting (still am).