Model S - Alpha Dashboard

[tdelta1000]

Can anyone explain why the top of the dashboard on the latest pictures of the Model S "Alpha" version looks the way it does in this picture? Sorry for not enlarging the area of discussion.

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/tesla-model-s-alpha-driveway.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/tesla-model-s-alpha-driveway.jpg

[EV_de]

HUD ?

http://app.downloadatoz.com/resources/soft/app/download/img/h/e/Headup%20Display%20Speed%201%204%201272160801.jpg

[tdelta1000]

I doubt it's for a HUD system because there is no reflect grass film on the windshield. Also, the HUD system projectors are usually placed closer to the A-pillar. I think it's a design feature until the "Beta" versions are released.

[strider]

I doubt it's for a HUD system because there is no reflect grass film on the windshield. Also, the HUD system projectors are usually placed closer to the A-pillar. I think it's a design feature until the "Beta" versions are released.
Huh? You can't see the reflective area on the windshield. I had a 2006 Corvette w/ HUD and there was no visible area on the windshield. Also the projector is right in front of the steering wheel.
1892

[William13]

This is a test car and may have a slit for wires etc. The interior is certainly not being displayed yet.

[smorgasbord]

I would have thought this is the photo the OP intended to include:

http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large-960/Tesla_Model_S_2009_785.jpg

[tdelta1000]

Huh? You can't see the reflective area on the windshield. I had a 2006 Corvette w/ HUD and there was no visible area on the windshield. Also the projector is right in front of the steering wheel.
1892

Strider that may have been the setup for a corvette but I do recall seeing the aforementioned setups when those types of systems became available. A co-worker of mine has a corvette and yes I can the reflective film on the windshield.

[NigelM]

Who knows what was used for an alpha model photo shoot....even the wing mirror looks odd:

1897

[trevorlsciact]

I would have thought this is the photo the OP intended to include:

No, Tesla has said that is not the final interior. The OP was talking about the slit by the steering wheel.

[NigelM]

You can see the same structure here:
1899

I am guessing that there has been some photoshop work going on in any case. Here's the wing mirror from the other side:
1898

[strider]

Strider that may have been the setup for a corvette but I do recall seeing the aforementioned setups when those types of systems became available. A co-worker of mine has a corvette and yes I can the reflective film on the windshield.
But my point was that you dismissed the idea of a HUD because of the placement when in fact there are systems that are in the same location as the cutout in the Alpha dashboard. Also, I can't see the reflective film in the pic I posted so it's not out of the question that it's there on the Alpha but can't be seen in a picture. I admit the cutout looks weird but it could be a HUD or planned HUD.

[tdelta1000]

But my point was that you dismissed the idea of a HUD because of the placement when in fact there are systems that are in the same location as the cutout in the Alpha dashboard. Also, I can't see the reflective film in the pic I posted so it's not out of the question that it's there on the Alpha but can't be seen in a picture. I admit the cutout looks weird but it could be a HUD or planned HUD.

My bad Strider if I came across as being dismissive to your idea of that being a HUD unit. It would be a weird layout for a HUD setup. Let wait and see.

[strider]

My bad Strider if I came across as being dismissive to your idea of that being a HUD unit. It would be a weird layout for a HUD setup. Let wait and see.
No offense taken. Since none of us knows the real answer all we can do is sit on this board and speculate all day :P