Usual disclaimer: Analysis of Model X mule photos is not representative of production vehicles - just analysis of the mules. Production vehicles may vary dramatically.
Plenty has been made of the Model X nose, widely assumed to be the most camouflaged and potentially most non-final exterior part of the Model X mules. I think even those who think the mules represent fairly final-looking vehicles, believe the nose will still change - at least with plenty of trim missing and/or camo there.
While it is true the mules thus probably won't tell us all that much about the production nose of Model X, it is still fun to see what can be discerned from the mule sightings. Recently FlatSix911 contributed a couple of fine close-up shots of the Model X mule, the nose and front tire included.
Big thanks to FlatSix911!
Here are the original frontal shots for reference:
So, three areas that interest us here, I think: the lights, the nosecone and the tires. I will look at each one of these in close detail in this post.
1) The lights:
To set the scene, ratsbew posted an interesting thread of Rumor: Model X will have full LED headlights, which Twiddler complemented with a Model S mule photo, regarding LED headlights in Model X. Since the mules have all had the corners of their headlights taped over, presumably to hide the LED daylight strip design, we can not get full appreciation of the lights the mules may be running, but in the FlatSix911 photos we finally see some of what is seen below.
There is also a video, LED Headlight Tesla Model S Test Mule, of the Model S mule LED headlights.
Here is a blow-up compared to the Model S regular lights (top) and Model S LED (bottom) headlights mule images - unfortunately the quality of the mule shot is still not enough to IMO call this one, could swing either way:
Now, there is one thing to add concerning LED headlights on the mule(s), the night-time video of Model X on Tesla's track. The headlights and the foglights look very white, in line with what one would expect from LEDs, but I guess also from Xenons - hard to say. What is interesting is the driver's side foglight looking orange. Is Tesla testing multiple different light temperatures/solutions/options/fixtures? Or could they even be testing intelligent LED lighting patterns that are generated based on driving situation (like the Germans already do)? A more yellow light temperature is sometimes recommended for fogs.
Threads:
Rumor: Model X will have full LED headlights
Next-Gen Headlights spotted... [UPDATED] Yep they are Tesla and not aftermarket! | Forums | Tesla Motors
2) The nosecone:
We of course have rumors saying that the Model X nosecone would be "gone" or bodycolored. What has made judging this, on the mules, hard has been the camo wrap and potentially other camouflage on the nose. However, on closer inspection, it seems the nosecone on this particular mule is not taped over like some of the lower portion of the nose is, but may actually show the bumper/nosecone. It seems as if the nosecone is part of the front bumper and painted to match. Only the vent under the nosecone seems covered in tape or wrap of some sort - and of course there is a large "vent" (perhaps missing the Tesla T logo strip) above the nosecone. We also get a better than ever glimpse inside the "vent", showing an opening in the middle but not on sides.
In the concept thread, I posted this design of what this mule nose could look like without that camo and with trim in place:
Here is a quick attempt to illustrate the same change on this particular mule shot, with LED headlights superimposed:
It is also true the front bumper, lights and hood don't quite match up. We can see a wire being run from the top edge of the bumper underneath, that may be twisting the entire bumper forwards, but it may also be the bumper, light fixtures and/or even dash is a non-final part and its design may still change for production.
Threads:
Model X mules - is the nose cone gone?
How has Model X nose changed since 2012 - and has it changed in 2015 mules?
[Concept] Model X image without nose-cone and A pillar cross-beam
3) The tires:
There are far more knowledgeable people discussing Model X tires on TMC than myself, but just to note here the FlatSix911 photographs are probably the first time we get a good look at the size markings of the Model X mule tires. The concensus seems to be they are either 245/45 R 20 or 265/45 R 20.
Looking very closely, I'm leaning on 265/45 R 20 and have included a blow-up below:
Thread: How has Model X nose changed since 2012 - and has it changed in 2015 mules?
Plenty has been made of the Model X nose, widely assumed to be the most camouflaged and potentially most non-final exterior part of the Model X mules. I think even those who think the mules represent fairly final-looking vehicles, believe the nose will still change - at least with plenty of trim missing and/or camo there.
While it is true the mules thus probably won't tell us all that much about the production nose of Model X, it is still fun to see what can be discerned from the mule sightings. Recently FlatSix911 contributed a couple of fine close-up shots of the Model X mule, the nose and front tire included.
Big thanks to FlatSix911!
Here are the original frontal shots for reference:
So, three areas that interest us here, I think: the lights, the nosecone and the tires. I will look at each one of these in close detail in this post.
1) The lights:
To set the scene, ratsbew posted an interesting thread of Rumor: Model X will have full LED headlights, which Twiddler complemented with a Model S mule photo, regarding LED headlights in Model X. Since the mules have all had the corners of their headlights taped over, presumably to hide the LED daylight strip design, we can not get full appreciation of the lights the mules may be running, but in the FlatSix911 photos we finally see some of what is seen below.
There is also a video, LED Headlight Tesla Model S Test Mule, of the Model S mule LED headlights.
Here is a blow-up compared to the Model S regular lights (top) and Model S LED (bottom) headlights mule images - unfortunately the quality of the mule shot is still not enough to IMO call this one, could swing either way:
Now, there is one thing to add concerning LED headlights on the mule(s), the night-time video of Model X on Tesla's track. The headlights and the foglights look very white, in line with what one would expect from LEDs, but I guess also from Xenons - hard to say. What is interesting is the driver's side foglight looking orange. Is Tesla testing multiple different light temperatures/solutions/options/fixtures? Or could they even be testing intelligent LED lighting patterns that are generated based on driving situation (like the Germans already do)? A more yellow light temperature is sometimes recommended for fogs.
Threads:
Rumor: Model X will have full LED headlights
Next-Gen Headlights spotted... [UPDATED] Yep they are Tesla and not aftermarket! | Forums | Tesla Motors
2) The nosecone:
We of course have rumors saying that the Model X nosecone would be "gone" or bodycolored. What has made judging this, on the mules, hard has been the camo wrap and potentially other camouflage on the nose. However, on closer inspection, it seems the nosecone on this particular mule is not taped over like some of the lower portion of the nose is, but may actually show the bumper/nosecone. It seems as if the nosecone is part of the front bumper and painted to match. Only the vent under the nosecone seems covered in tape or wrap of some sort - and of course there is a large "vent" (perhaps missing the Tesla T logo strip) above the nosecone. We also get a better than ever glimpse inside the "vent", showing an opening in the middle but not on sides.
In the concept thread, I posted this design of what this mule nose could look like without that camo and with trim in place:
Here is a quick attempt to illustrate the same change on this particular mule shot, with LED headlights superimposed:
It is also true the front bumper, lights and hood don't quite match up. We can see a wire being run from the top edge of the bumper underneath, that may be twisting the entire bumper forwards, but it may also be the bumper, light fixtures and/or even dash is a non-final part and its design may still change for production.
Threads:
Model X mules - is the nose cone gone?
How has Model X nose changed since 2012 - and has it changed in 2015 mules?
[Concept] Model X image without nose-cone and A pillar cross-beam
3) The tires:
There are far more knowledgeable people discussing Model X tires on TMC than myself, but just to note here the FlatSix911 photographs are probably the first time we get a good look at the size markings of the Model X mule tires. The concensus seems to be they are either 245/45 R 20 or 265/45 R 20.
Looking very closely, I'm leaning on 265/45 R 20 and have included a blow-up below:
Thread: How has Model X nose changed since 2012 - and has it changed in 2015 mules?
