My guess is that there is some of breakthrough with the cooling breakthrough documented in the P100d, but for 2170 cells, and I'm super curious about the fuses and the gearing of the 3rd motor.... my other guess is that everything in the car is extremely light.... even the wheels look to be carbon fiber
Carbon wheels tend to need bigger spokes. And the cost is immense. Not something for a $200K car.
Are we looking at the same pictures? To me all the evidence, from first hand accounts to pictures and video, points to a double layer pack. The most simple explanation is they put in 2 of the Model 3 80kWh packs for a total of 160kWh and they expect to be able to push that to at least 200kWh by 2020.
The world has been begging for affordable cars with reasonable range. The Model 3 80kWh pack is plenty large enough for that segment.
Big problem because up right seating is also a trend, meaning your feet need to be below you, not stretched way out in front the way the Roadster is. A higher floor means an even higher roofline, and the Model 3 roof line is already rather high.
Audi showed drawings where the middle row foot bed was single layer, under the seats double layer. If not so much range is needed, foot bed could be lowered some 10cm. Imagine how comfy Model S would be. I'd rather have that space than the rear trunk well.
Up close, everything to me looked to be in carbon fiber.... especially some really tiny details in the rear diffuser.... I don't think the weight savings can be underestimated. I don't think the car will be light compared to a mcclaren, but I do think it will be very light for a tesla.
I think you're right and it's also possible that they have a recess in the top layer under the seats where they could have removed or relocated one sheet on each side to allow the lowest part of the seat to be a couple inches lower.
Usable and actual capacity are obviously going to be different
I'll just post this here as well. It goes well beyond calculating the required battery size.
So even with a flat bottom and a bit of suspension lowering at high speeds, the ground clearance of a street car is too great for the Bernoulli principle to produce downforce? So diffusers are as useless as the decorative rear wings a few decades ago? That's interesting.
I agree this is a problem. People will end up doing these runs on public roads, which is far less safe than a proper drag strip.If it actually specs out, it's a bargain.
Wifey said if she could trust Tesla Motors, we can put a down on one. The quickest either of us has gone is low 9's. IIRC, I have her beat there with a 9.34 ET.
To run 8.9 in the 1/4 with a full bodied car you need a NHRA Super Gas license, a full certified safety cage, a parachute, etc. Most cars that run at those ETs are trailer queens if plated.
You will not be able to run it at a normal dragstrip on a normal day. You would have to rent the track out if they allow it. It's an insurance thing. I doubt California Speedway (Fontana) would let you run it even if you rent the track. They were already sued because somebody lost control of their car. This was a rented track day with wavers signed absolving the track of liability. Porsche took it in the shorts too.
I knew I knew you from somewhere!If it actually specs out, it's a bargain.
Wifey said if she could trust Tesla Motors, we can put a down on one. The quickest either of us has gone is low 9's. IIRC, I have her beat there with a 9.34 ET.
To run 8.9 in the 1/4 with a full bodied car you need a NHRA Super Gas license, a full certified safety cage, a parachute, etc. Most cars that run at those ETs are trailer queens if plated.
You will not be able to run it at a normal dragstrip on a normal day. You would have to rent the track out if they allow it. It's an insurance thing. I doubt California Speedway (Fontana) would let you run it even if you rent the track. They were already sued because somebody lost control of their car. This was a rented track day with wavers signed absolving the track of liability. Porsche took it in the shorts too.
