Validation Prototypes (VPs)

[TEG]

When Tesla first started up they built a clay model to validate the body styling.
(This model has since been destroyed)

They also built a "buck" for aerodynamic testing.
And a "mule" which is drivable but was cobbled together from a non-Tesla vehicle with custom bodywork.

Then they built "Engineering/Evaluation Prototypes" (EPs) to figure out what refinements were needed for production.

Finally they built "Validation Prototypes" (VPs) to test the refinements before putting them into production.

Along the way they had to crash test a number of the prototypes so not all still exist.

From the Tesla blogs:

If you wish to play “spot the difference” between our photographs of the EPs and VP1, here are some to look out for:

* Headlamp and tail lamps (or headlights and tail lights) – The EPs had functional place holders while VPs are fitted to production intent.
* Seats – The VP seat shell has a wider base and trim detail has evolved.
* Centre console – We modified the profile to match the seat change.
* Heating and ventilation – Controls and graphics were adjusted for clarity.
* Center High Mounted Stop Lamp, pronounced “chimsel.” It was repositioned to improve rear visibility."

--Validation Prototypes--

VP32: Sterling Silver
VP31: Electric Blue; Gray microfiber
VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
VP29: Electric Blue; two-tone black/gray(grey)
VP28: ?
VP27: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint

 

[TEG]

"VP1" ("Validation Prototype 1"..."Signature Green?"):

"VP4" ("Arctic White"):

"VP9" ("Electric Blue"):

 

[TEG]

"VP10" ("Sterling Silver"):

 

[doug]

List of Validation Prototypes and marketing cars. (This post will be periodically updated.)

--Validation Prototypes--

VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
VP29: Electric Blue; two-tone black/gray(grey)
VP28: ?
VP27: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint

 

[TEG]

VP11 in "Thunder Gray":

 

[vfx]

Which two are these?

Pair In Marin - Tesla Motors Club Gallery

 

[TEG]

That is VP1 (green) and EP1 (black)

 

[jsnable]

Vp13

There's a note about the arrival of VP13 on the "Tesla owner's" home page. It is dedicated to fine tuning of drivetrain 1.5... And for Tony, it's Very Orange. Quite a few pictures in the "insider gallery" too...

Jay

 

[TEG]

I didn't see any VP13 note on the Tesla home page.
Is that in the owners area only?

 

[jsnable]

Sorry - you are correct. I logged out and got a different looking page. Didn't realize even the "home page" was linked...

Jay

 

[jsnable]

And the VP13 arrival begs the question - where is VP12? I haven't run across any information about it...

Jay

 

[siry]

VP 12 is in the UK. VP 16 (glacier blue) just got shipped and VP17 (fusion red), both intended for the stores, are on their way.

 

[BBHighway]

Wow, sounds like Tesla is already into "production" of sorts, just that it's 'VPs', not yet 'Ps'.

 

[malcolm]

VP 12 is in the UK. VP 16 (glacier blue) just got shipped and VP17 (fusion red), both intended for the stores, are on their way.

Thanks darryl.

Any word on the seats? Apart from VP11's Microfiber, most of the other VPs seem to have standard black seats. Are the store models the same or does VP17 feature the odd bit of red leather as well? :smile:

 

[vfx]

On 3/21/08 Siry is quoted as saying there are 27 prototypes.

Europeans, Rejoice! The Tesla Is Headed Your Way! | Autopia from Wired.com

 

[TEG]

VP12 is black with brown interior. It was used for test drives in Monaco to launch European sales.

 

[Alpine Driver]

The Seats of VP12 are brown leather.
I will post photos later.

 

[doug]

VP12:

(From TEG: Info about the white car next to the Tesla here )

Flickr Photo Download: IMG_3386

 

[Kardax]

Looks like the rear bumper will need to be modified to accommodate those extra-wide European license plates... seems pretty minor, though.

Those pictures are an effective reminder about how small the Lotus-derived Roadster is compared to other vehicles...

-Ryan

 

[Cobos]

I'm not sure how it is in rest of Europe, but generally our license plates are wider and not so high as the american ones. But we've got a version with a smaller font which I beleive I've seen on a Porsche Cayenne among other cars. So I suppose finding a fit should be possible....

Cobos