Wow. I've tried to skim this thread but I had to pause at times to let the intolerance and snippiness on both sides wear off. Here are a bunch of my disjointed thoughts.
Go here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt2
The comparison is to an ice car getting 23 mpg. For my ZIP code and comparing to a Tesla P85 I get that it is like an ICE getting 41 mpg. Of course the Tesla will get cleaner as the grid is cleaned up and the ICE car won't.
A lot of people seem to pair things that have no real reason to be paired. Running a meeting on time doesn't mean you have to be a deceptive company presenting BS to the public. Starting the Model X reveal on time would have been simple courtesy to the audience. I see nothing charming about it being late. Many small companies execute on time with public meetings. As an engineer, executing properly on one aspect of a design doesn't allow me to screw up another area. Similarly, just because a company does excellent engineering, they shouldn't get a pass on marketing and PR.
I like Elon's presentations style. I think it gives Tesla a good image and a distinctive character. However, all presentations aren't the same and he does better when he is rested. He seemed tired and hurried like he had more important things to do. I know he is busy but his staff needs to manage him better for these events. Ok, so that may be tough but engineering is tough so no sympathy from me.
I really think a tag team approach with JB would be a good formula and maintain the engineering centric image of Tesla.
Second row folding vs. folding seats are a hot topic. I do wish the people who don't care could cut the people who do some slack. The "What would you do with all this space" picture shows why they had expectations that weren't met. Similarly, I find it surprising how dismissive some people are with posts that say "You don't need to carry XYZ very often." I liked the comment from another poster who pointed out that you rarely drive more than 60 miles in a day but people like the range of the Model S. In the Tesla price range (S or X), vehicles are purchased for more reasons than basic day to day needs. Vehicles are very personal things and if carrying an 8' sheet of plywood is important to a person then that's their choice. A good friend took his tuba to make sure it would fit in the Model S before he bought one. Personally, how a tuba fits isn't high on my list but it was on his. I respect that. By the way, the tuba fit but only barely. He now owns two Model S sedans.
To the "global warming is killing us and you care about seats" person, just look at the link above. It means you should use public transit or a bicycle. Also, avoid meat. Beef in particular accounts for a lot of global warming. Now, in reality, climate change will be fixed by designing alternatives that are so attractive that even people who don't care about climate change will want them. Wind is now cheaper than coal for power production. Once battery costs are reduced, BEV's will be bought because they are the better value irrespective of the environmental impact. We may wish that everyone cared and immediately changed their ways but I am talking about the reality of actually affecting change.
I like the front end of the X. I do think white was a poor color choice to focus on. I have a white car but the front styling works least well with white. Also, shooting from a low angle is unflattering. When seen from a level angle (other drivers) or above (walking up to the X) it is much better looking. It reminds me of the aggressive look of the Model S daytime running lights.
A lot has been made about the FWDs not mattering because the front doors are conventional. The same is true for minivans and the sliding doors are still useful. The point is letting rambunctious kids in and out without doors slamming into adjacent vehicles. The front door are used by adults who are hopefully more careful. Additionally, if you are dealing with carriers or car seats, the sliding door on a minivan is a big help and the FWDs look to be even better.
I too worry about the speed of the FWDs. The old Brickland got knocked because the electric gull wing doors left you standing in the rain while they opened. That was when they worked.
Otherwise I was more impressed with the FWDs than I expected to be.
I thought safety was a fine way to start. The X is a family vehicle. I suspect we all think about other things than safety when we get into a car. However, when our families join us I bet most of us move safety to the top of the list.
The air filtration discussion was fine had it been part of an extensive discussion of the car. I was left wondering if the doors and air filter were all there was to talk about.
I gather that the entire event was just to say "We shipped in the third quarter." However, I want the company to succeed and I wish that fact hadn't been so crammed in my face. I was left feeling that the X must be incomplete otherwise the reveal would have been more detailed.
Go here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt2
The comparison is to an ice car getting 23 mpg. For my ZIP code and comparing to a Tesla P85 I get that it is like an ICE getting 41 mpg. Of course the Tesla will get cleaner as the grid is cleaned up and the ICE car won't.
A lot of people seem to pair things that have no real reason to be paired. Running a meeting on time doesn't mean you have to be a deceptive company presenting BS to the public. Starting the Model X reveal on time would have been simple courtesy to the audience. I see nothing charming about it being late. Many small companies execute on time with public meetings. As an engineer, executing properly on one aspect of a design doesn't allow me to screw up another area. Similarly, just because a company does excellent engineering, they shouldn't get a pass on marketing and PR.
I like Elon's presentations style. I think it gives Tesla a good image and a distinctive character. However, all presentations aren't the same and he does better when he is rested. He seemed tired and hurried like he had more important things to do. I know he is busy but his staff needs to manage him better for these events. Ok, so that may be tough but engineering is tough so no sympathy from me.
I really think a tag team approach with JB would be a good formula and maintain the engineering centric image of Tesla.
Second row folding vs. folding seats are a hot topic. I do wish the people who don't care could cut the people who do some slack. The "What would you do with all this space" picture shows why they had expectations that weren't met. Similarly, I find it surprising how dismissive some people are with posts that say "You don't need to carry XYZ very often." I liked the comment from another poster who pointed out that you rarely drive more than 60 miles in a day but people like the range of the Model S. In the Tesla price range (S or X), vehicles are purchased for more reasons than basic day to day needs. Vehicles are very personal things and if carrying an 8' sheet of plywood is important to a person then that's their choice. A good friend took his tuba to make sure it would fit in the Model S before he bought one. Personally, how a tuba fits isn't high on my list but it was on his. I respect that. By the way, the tuba fit but only barely. He now owns two Model S sedans.
To the "global warming is killing us and you care about seats" person, just look at the link above. It means you should use public transit or a bicycle. Also, avoid meat. Beef in particular accounts for a lot of global warming. Now, in reality, climate change will be fixed by designing alternatives that are so attractive that even people who don't care about climate change will want them. Wind is now cheaper than coal for power production. Once battery costs are reduced, BEV's will be bought because they are the better value irrespective of the environmental impact. We may wish that everyone cared and immediately changed their ways but I am talking about the reality of actually affecting change.
I like the front end of the X. I do think white was a poor color choice to focus on. I have a white car but the front styling works least well with white. Also, shooting from a low angle is unflattering. When seen from a level angle (other drivers) or above (walking up to the X) it is much better looking. It reminds me of the aggressive look of the Model S daytime running lights.
A lot has been made about the FWDs not mattering because the front doors are conventional. The same is true for minivans and the sliding doors are still useful. The point is letting rambunctious kids in and out without doors slamming into adjacent vehicles. The front door are used by adults who are hopefully more careful. Additionally, if you are dealing with carriers or car seats, the sliding door on a minivan is a big help and the FWDs look to be even better.
I too worry about the speed of the FWDs. The old Brickland got knocked because the electric gull wing doors left you standing in the rain while they opened. That was when they worked.
Otherwise I was more impressed with the FWDs than I expected to be.
I thought safety was a fine way to start. The X is a family vehicle. I suspect we all think about other things than safety when we get into a car. However, when our families join us I bet most of us move safety to the top of the list.
The air filtration discussion was fine had it been part of an extensive discussion of the car. I was left wondering if the doors and air filter were all there was to talk about.
I gather that the entire event was just to say "We shipped in the third quarter." However, I want the company to succeed and I wish that fact hadn't been so crammed in my face. I was left feeling that the X must be incomplete otherwise the reveal would have been more detailed.
