Model S Nose Cone Designs (Prototype, Alpha, Beta and beyond)

[doug]

I still liked the prototype better. The Alpha look is all right, but the prototype one seemed to have a less generic look to me.

Agreed. For me it's less about the grill and more those lower air intakes on either side of the chin. I realize they're functional, so they don't bother me too much, but they do make the front end of the Alphas look less elegant than what I saw at the LA premier. They give a less classy, more sporty vibe.

 

[qwk]

Agreed. For me it's less about the grill and more those lower air intakes on either side of the chin. I realize they're functional, so they don't bother me too much, but they do make the front end of the Alphas look less elegant than what I saw at the LA premier. They give a less classy, more sporty vibe.

I dislike the whiskered lower intakes too. Both the front and rear panels on the prototype car are better looking.

 

[Todd Burch]

I still liked the prototype better. The Alpha look is all right, but the prototype one seemed to have a less generic look to me.

What I meant was that I think it's sexier than the first alpha front end (paint job looks great!). I'd still pick the prototype over the alpha, but this looks much better to me than the "Alpha hits the road" shots.

I think the reason the prototype looks better is less about the grille than it is about the whiskers, light pipes, and air intakes.

 

[Fr23shjive]

I like everything about it now except for the rear tail lights. I've never liked that euro altezza look. Hopefully a solid red tail light is an option or there is an after market option once it starts selling.

 

[goyogi]

On my Volt, the car knows it's plugged in and won't let you drive away. Sometimes I've forgotten to close the charge port door and it let's me know as well and not just through an idiot light, it has a nice graphic and description of the alert. I'm looking forward to the mega console in the model S.

 

[suxxer]

Some new pics of the front grill. TM still shows the Alpha with the "new" grill. I really hope it's not the final grill.

 

[tdelta1000]

I like the grill because it's a carry ove from the concept.

 

[Tommy]

A side by side comparison of the prototype and alpha front grill

They look very similar.

 

[AnOutsider]

Just a bit more chromey, but I think it might be the black personally. The hood lines seem a bit diff on the alpha, and I'm still missing the LED pipe in the headlights

 

[Doug_G]

They look very similar.

The lower black section is a lot shinier on the alpha. Not sure if that's an improvement or not.

Some of the alpha pictures seem to have narrower chrome on the lower section, which looks a lot more like the prototype. I definitely prefer that. I like the strong chrome on the upper part and thin on the lower; it looks more subtle and somehow makes the grille look like less of a large open maw.

 

[Norbert]

I like the strong chrome on the upper part and thin on the lower; it looks more subtle and somehow makes the grille look like less of a large open maw.

Exactly how I see it.

(Otherwise the pics are really impressive.)

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Exactly how I see it.

+1. Although I'd agree with the conclusion that it's probably the black color on the alpha in the new pics that's bringing out the chrome of the grille even more than the silver or the maroon/red did on the prototype, the proto did have a "thicker upper lip", if you will, and that looked good!

Maroon prototype - front grille - thick upper lip

 

[doug]

Still think I like this one best:

 

[Norbert]

Still think I like this one best:

I wonder how it would look with the mesh in black, just slightly reflective.

 

[doug]

I wonder how it would look with the mesh in black, just slightly reflective.

Who's got the best photoshop skills? Mesh grill on current Alpha in silver and black.

 

[sjoshuaj]

In Black with mesh...

 

[EV_de]

can you add a EU license plate too ?

 

[widodh]

They probably are not going to make a mesh grill due to extra wind resistance

 

[sjoshuaj]

In various colors....

 

[mnx]

In Black with mesh...

great photoshopping skills. Since I'm not a rapper, I don't think I could drive a version with a chrome grill. LOL

I like the new more aggressive look better than the prototype pics fwiw.