Tesla Copy Cat Treasure Hunt

[mikevbf]

Warning: read further ONLY if you count yourself among the Tesla obsessed. Oh wait that is almost everyone here.

As I obsess about every detail in the Model S and what little we know about the X, I keep spotting other companies doing the same thing in the details of their current, and even more so, future cars. If you have spotted any of these copy cats post them in this thread. As an example check out the future BMW 3 series sport wagon:

details - BMW North America


See anything familiar?

 

[yobigd20]

See anything familiar?

turbine wheels?

 

[mikevbf]

turbine wheels?

yup. try this one:

Cadillac ELR designer speaks, says it

 

[Oreo]

I'm not sure who's doing the copying, but SAAB had turbine wheels on their Aero models since at least 10 years:
http://www.netcarshow.com/saab/2003-95_aero_wagon/800x600/wallpaper_08.htm
http://www.listofcarbrands.com/saab-95-aero-rear-side/
Unfortunately they went bankrupt.
My guess is that we'll see bigger monitors in other cars pretty soon.

 

[yobigd20]

This definitely could go the other way,
just look at the Aston Martin Rapide http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/rapide
Jaguar XF http://www.jaguarusa.com/models/xf/gallery/
Maserati Quattroporte http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Quattroporte
and even the Lotus Eterne http://www.caranddriver.com/news/lotus-eterne-news-2015-lotus-eterne-sedan-revealed

Who's copying who? Inspired by? Or just plain ole' copied? Could definitely be argued one way or the other.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Before addressing the claim of copying, you first have to attach a date to when the FIRST public appearance of that car came (in concept or any form).

The Model S concept was first unveiled in March 26, 2009
http://www.gizmag.com/tesla-model-s/11339/

The wheels oh the Model S were based on the turbine wheels of the 2004 Mercedes SLR (car came out in 2003, but I believe the turbine wheels came in 2004):

http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&id=2398&s=c&p=2004_MercedesBenz_SLRMcLaren14.jpg

Back then the Model S prototype was based on a CLS, so it makes sense why they were using a wheel design similar to Mercedes'.