Model S spotted with Model 3 Wheels, AWD tested?

[treldib]

Saw an AP1 Model S 90D today with manufacturer plates, wearing the 19” Model 3 wheels and with brakes and calipers that look like our Model 3’s, not like our S’s. Only thing I can think of is they’re testing the Model 3 wheels and brakes on an AWD powertrain?

Seen on a university campus in San Luis Obispo, CA. Will add more pics when I figure out how!

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• treldib
• Jan 10, 2018
• 1

Edit: title should say “AWD Testbed”, mods can you change this?

 

[mlondre]

Seen on a university campus in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Yeah Cal Poly! Can’t wait for them to add a supercharger to SLO. Hoping for a location close to downtown! Nothing would beat charging my car while eating a Firestone tritip sandwich and fries

 

[Snow Drift]

Did the back say "D" or did the VIN represent Dual Motor?

 

[jelloslug]

Did the back say "D" or did the VIN represent Dual Motor?

It's a test mule, it could have anything "under the hood".

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I've wondered about this combo and if the 3's wheels could support the S's (particularly the D's) additional weight. Looks like it. And, it looks nice!

 

[MorrisonHiker]

I heard that the bolt pattern for the Model 3 wheels was slightly different from the bolt pattern for the Model S so I'm surprised to see this combination.

 

[jelloslug]

I heard that the bolt pattern for the Model 3 wheels was slightly different from the bolt pattern for the Model S so I'm surprised to see this combination.

Most likely there is much more Model 3 there than Model S.

 

[S3XY]

Why would they bother using an S as a mule when there are Model 3s all over the place? There's no reason to hide.

 

[treldib]

Did the back say "D" or did the VIN represent Dual Motor?

Yep! It was an AP1 90D.

 

[treldib]

Yeah Cal Poly! Can’t wait for them to add a supercharger to SLO. Hoping for a location close to downtown! Nothing would beat charging my car while eating a Firestone tritip sandwich and fries

There's one under construction at Madonna Inn! 10 stalls.
Are you the guy with the white Texas plate facelift Model S I always see on campus?

 

[gregincal]

Why would they bother using an S as a mule when there are Model 3s all over the place? There's no reason to hide.

Who knows when this was built.

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Who knows when this was built.

Sometime before Q4 2016

 

[Zaphod]

I heard that the bolt pattern for the Model 3 wheels was slightly different from the bolt pattern for the Model S so I'm surprised to see this combination.

Correct, the 3 bolt pattern is 5x114.3 and the S and X are 5x120. If it's a test car, I'm sure they could just swap the whole wheel end from the 3 to make it work. Very weird though.

Although maybe is just a random S owner that likes the 3 wheels. There are adapter out there that can change the pattern.

 

[treldib]

Correct, the 3 bolt pattern is 5x114.3 and the S and X are 5x120. If it's a test car, I'm sure they could just swap the whole wheel end from the 3 to make it work. Very weird though.

Although maybe is just a random S owner that likes the 3 wheels. There are adapter out there that can change the pattern.

Car had manufacturer plates.

 

[Mishakim]

Why would they bother using an S as a mule when there are Model 3s all over the place? There's no reason to hide.

Presumably there are no Model 3 with dual-motor yet, so an S90D with swapped wheels (and who knows what else) was next-best for whatever it is they're testing

 

[mlondre]

There's one under construction at Madonna Inn! 10 stalls.
Are you the guy with the white Texas plate facelift Model S I always see on campus?

Nope, just a happy grad who likes to visit town occasionally. Glad to hear they are under construction at Madonna! Any idea when they’ll be finished?

 

[TEG]

We have seen other Tesla prototypes spotted at Cal Poly. They may be doing some research / R&D work there.

I wonder if that had the Model 3 brake calipers ?

 

[Thomas Edison]

You sure they were 19" and not 20"?

 

[brucet999]

Presumably there are no Model 3 with dual-motor yet, so an S90D with swapped wheels (and who knows what else) was next-best for whatever it is they're testing

If the bolt pattern is different, you can't "just swap wheels". They would have to have swapped the rotors and calipers in order to mount the M3 wheels to them. If the spindles and bearings are the same on both cars, that might have been fairly easy.

 

[lunitiks]

Which seats are those?