Model X - 2013 Detroit Auto Show

[bonnie]

It was likely outsourced. The factory is 100% focused on Model S. For it to be stamped, dies would need to be made ... which would mean the design was finalized. I don't think we're there yet.

(ftr, I don't KNOW that, I just believe that. )

 

[fengshui]

Did any forum members make it out to the show over the weekend? What did you learn?

 

[K Hall]

I did attend the show on Saturday and spent some time at the Tesla space. It was very interesting.

The Model X is very attractive. They had the car behind a barrier so there was no opportunity to get into the car. I did measure the leg room in the back seats and it was about a 1/2 inch shorter than a BMW X3. It is about 1 1/2 inches shorter that the Model S. Please understand that these numbers are approximate because I could not get in the car. I ask a Tesla product specialist to get into the back so I could see the leg room. He did offer some insight into the car but the standard answer was that this is just a concept and it is not the final product.

They did say that the 4 X 4 will be an option. After driving my Model S I want to convert to all EV in our garage. Mercedes has a concept that looks promising and the fact that TESLA is building the powertrain makes it more compelling.

I'll post more photos tonight after I crop them down.

 

[MikeK]

What's going on with the doors in your photo? They don't look fully lifted, and one looks lower than the other. Were they in the process of opening or closing, or was this the static presentation?

 

[K Hall]

What's going on with the doors in your photo? They don't look fully lifted, and one looks lower than the other. Were they in the process of opening or closing, or was this the static presentation?

People were manually pulling them down and up all day.

 

[MikeK]

Ah, okay.

 

[tdelta1000]

It was likely outsourced. The factory is 100% focused on Model S. For it to be stamped, dies would need to be made ... which would mean the design was finalized. I don't think we're there yet.

(ftr, I don't KNOW that, I just believe that. )

wink wink. I thought the auto show concept represented well over 75% of the final design for the X and the that interior, the Falcon wings doors and a few minor items would change. Please shed some more light.

 

[bonnie]

No secret info here. Just a belief that until a design is finalized 100% (or at least believed to be), spending money on dies is beyond foolish. Surely there will still be minor changes to the X.

As far as everyone focused on the Model S ... maybe there's one guy back in a dark corner working on stuff (maybe), but if they find him, he'll be quickly assigned to Model S. Or he would be if I were there. Seriously ... success of Model S will make or break the company. That's where their focus should be today. And since much of the Model S work will be reused on the X, that's still progress towards getting the X out the door.

 

[wts13]

Based on photos from the auto show, the 3rd row seat room in this car seems pretty abysmal.

We have an '09 GMC Acadia that has a pretty roomy third row seat. If the Model X can't offer appropriate third row seat room comparable to other large 3-row crossovers, it will definitely be a pass for us.

 

[RDoc]

Hopefully Tesla will do a rethink of the 2nd and 3rd row seating in the X. From what I've seen so far it's not at all what it should be. However, it's still early days.

 

[fengshui]

Based on photos from the auto show, the 3rd row seat room in this car seems pretty abysmal.

We have an '09 GMC Acadia that has a pretty roomy third row seat. If the Model X can't offer appropriate third row seat room comparable to other large 3-row crossovers, it will definitely be a pass for us.

While photos do make it look small, most reports of people who's actually ridden in the back seat describe it as reasonably comfortable for adults up to 6':
Pictures Video from the Model X Unveiling (02/09/2012) - Page 25

 

[SFOTurtle]

One of the things I really like about the S is that it's "just" a nice car, it pretty much embodies the ultimate in it's class without getting too exotic, on a basic level it's a practical, albeit souped up, family compatible car. The X could be our second car but it's more exotic than practical, preventing one of the most basic uses of an SUV, putting stuff on top of it. How often do we do that? not as much as we'd like, but wow do we value the capability when we go out for a weekend getaway. being able to put things like skis, surf board, kayaks and/or a cargo carrier on top are basic musts for us. The falcon wings are cool, but they make a huge statement, a bit gratuitous for my tastes and are better suited for a sports car like the roadster IMHO, but that's not as important as the fact that we really don't need a solution to the difficulty of accessing the 3rd row of seats in our current SUV... it's just not that big an inconvenience on the occasion that they get used.

What would make us excited for the X would be the extra headroom, the all wheel drive (for winter mountain driving), a fold down split third row like the S but forward facing and regular old dino-style back doors... basically, if we could have something approximating the Toyota Highlander but EV and X-like, we'd put down a reservation tomorrow!

My thoughts exactly. I'd like an electric Toyota Highlander. This looks more like a cross between an Audi Q series and a Honda Crosstour. I like neither.

 

[EchoDelta]

My thoughts exactly. I'd like an electric Toyota Highlander. This looks more like a cross between an Audi Q series and a Honda Crosstour. I like neither.

Since we are discussing personal tastes - the Highlander is a bit too bland for me.
Electric LR Evoque or LR2( but larger) would appeal to me, but the laws of aerodynamics + current battery tech may not agree with my tastes.

Or I would love an electric..."whatever this is"

 

[mikevbf]

My thoughts exactly. I'd like an electric Toyota Highlander. This looks more like a cross between an Audi Q series and a Honda Crosstour. I like neither.

I own a Highlander Hybrid. The two biggest problems I have with it not counting the gasoline one is it drives like all other SUV's with poor CG and the third row seat is a pain to use. From a function not form perspective, I would be happy if they solve just these issues and oh yeah the gasoline one too. Add the XUV back door (see Model X Falcon Doors - Page 35) and/or another clever solution discussed in other various threads and we are golden.

From a form perspective I am not sure I love the Model X's looks but am withholding judgement until I see one in person. I am fine with the Highlander look. I would not mind if the Model X looked a little more like it as long as it does not look that way at the expense of function. I have a feeling the Model S and Model X are the shape they are for a reason which has a lot to do with aerodynamics and subsequent range.

 

[SFOTurtle]

I own a Highlander Hybrid. The two biggest problems I have with it not counting the gasoline one is it drives like all other SUV's with poor CG and the third row seat is a pain to use. From a function not form perspective, I would be happy if they solve just these issues and oh yeah the gasoline one too. Add the XUV back door (see Model X Falcon Doors - Page 35) and/or another clever solution discussed in other various threads and we are golden.

From a form perspective I am not sure I love the Model X's looks but am withholding judgement until I see one in person. I am fine with the Highlander look. I would not mind if the Model X looked a little more like it as long as it does not look that way at the expense of function. I have a feeling the Model S and Model X are the shape they are for a reason which has a lot to do with aerodynamics and subsequent range.

Agreed. When I said Highlander, I didn't mean to suggest that all style and performance should be sacrificed for functionality. The X should still be more stylish and not be as cheap as a Highlander and shouldn't drive like a boat. But it shouldn't have to sacrifice space and comfort for aesthetics. Just looking at the pics of the X and the cramped look to the third row, I'm not in love with it and instead am dubious. Totally the opposite of my first impression of the S.

 

[felixtb]

Agreed. When I said Highlander, I didn't mean to suggest that all style and performance should be sacrificed for functionality. The X should still be more stylish and not be as cheap as a Highlander and shouldn't drive like a boat. But it shouldn't have to sacrifice space and comfort for aesthetics. Just looking at the pics of the X and the cramped look to the third row, I'm not in love with it and instead am dubious. Totally the opposite of my first impression of the S.

Have you been in the 3rd row of the X? I am 190cm tall and had no problems getting in and out and not problems sitting......... so it is actually not very cramped, at least as I experienced it at the reveal.

 

[bonnie]

....... so it is actually not very cramped, at least as I experienced it at the reveal.

+1. At the launch event, people were surprised over the room in the third row.

 

[sfriedrich]

I have an X sig reservation... I'm a little disappointed in the delay, because I won't get the S back as "my" car til the X arrives as "her" car. Seriously, tho, I am thrilled with how much my dear wife loves the S. I think that she was a little surprised at how much she took to it!

 

[SFOTurtle]

Have you been in the 3rd row of the X? I am 190cm tall and had no problems getting in and out and not problems sitting......... so it is actually not very cramped, at least as I experienced it at the reveal.

I have not but will as soon as I get the opportunity. The shape of the roof in the back is also a concern for storage. Looks more like a Beetle than an SUV. Doubt I would have been able to fit my big screen in the back as it barely fit in my Highlander on a diagonal.

 

[NigelM]

Doubt I would have been able to fit my big screen in the back as it barely fit in my Highlander on a diagonal.

I think this is a change of mindset that we'll all get used to over time. We're all accustomed to thinking about how we might need to transport a refrigerator in the back and rarely do we stop to consider that most of really don't do that very often (if at all). In my experience 99% of stores will have delivery options if you buy something big.