View Full Version : Tesla designs copied?
How many think the Model S design shown three years ago was co-opted by other companies who got cars to market first?
Maybe Tesla hides Gen III longer?
Citizen-T
07-12-2012, 12:00 PM
How many think the Model S design shown three years ago was co-opted by other companies who got cars to market first?
Maybe Tesla hides this one longer?
No doubt.
7648
7649
How many think the Model S design shown three years ago was co-opted by other companies who got cars to market first?
Sometimes I think that when I see the Chrysler 200...
http://newlycar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2012-Chrysler-200-S-Sedan-Rear-Angle-View.jpg
http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2012/01/2012-Chrysler-200-sedan-front-three-quarter-623x389.jpg
Like the movie industry where you get 3 blockbusters one year with similar plots, a lot of similarity emerges in auto design.
Citizen-T
07-12-2012, 12:08 PM
No doubt Franz is a trendsetter.
ElSupreme
07-12-2012, 03:23 PM
Somethings I think that when I see the Chrysler 200...
Like the movie industry where you get 3 blockbusters one year with similar plots, a lot of similarity emerges in auto design.
There are a couple of angles of the back of the 200 that make me do a double take. Even though I know there isn't a Model S anywhere near Atlanta.
dpeilow
07-12-2012, 10:37 PM
The obvious comparison that people make to the Model S here is the Jag XF.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Jaguar_XF_rear_20080731.jpg/800px-Jaguar_XF_rear_20080731.jpg
mklcolvin
07-13-2012, 02:11 AM
The tailpipes are the giveaway in all those shots, LOL!
VolkerP
07-13-2012, 03:04 AM
more Model S lookalikes
Aston Martin Rapide
http://www.heise.de/autos/imgs/14/8/7/0/8/6/6/ff790387a77fbc80.jpeg
Audi A7 Sportback
http://auto.t-online.de/b/42/38/75/44/id_42387544/tid_da/audi-a7-ueberall-linien-foto-audi-.jpg
brianman
07-13-2012, 09:21 AM
The obvious comparison that people make to the Model S here is the Jag XF.
Yah, saw one on the road to work the other day. Details like the chrome and tail-light assembly are similar.
Krandon
07-16-2012, 02:11 PM
Just saw a black Volkswagen CC in the parking lot yesterday and did a doubletake... thought it was my first mod s sighting in the wild. I'm not too upset if they copied, there's plenty of room on the road for beautiful cars.
784978507851
brianman
07-16-2012, 02:14 PM
For those that prefer the "blend in" philosophy of EV styling to help the tech go mainstream, you're good to go.
http://cdn4.leftlanenews.com/photos/content/january2012/thumbnails5.0/2015-evos-ri_653.jpg (http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-mustang-2015.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=mustang3&utm_campaign=taboola-lln-002)
Grendal
11-02-2012, 10:05 PM
Is it me, or does that one have an angry alien face?
brianman
11-02-2012, 10:51 PM
Is it me, or does that one have an angry alien face?
I don't think you have an angry alien face.
The Mustang front does make me think "Model S with sharp edges".
PopSmith
11-03-2012, 10:05 AM
The Rapide is (somewhat) similar, although it was shown as a concept back in 2006:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nXZTHf70dhA/TAUsSyk8vTI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/vmXFh3OH63c/s1600/aston%2Bmartin%2Brapide2.jpg
brianman
11-03-2012, 10:30 AM
Perhaps my timeline needs adjusting. I thought it was a given that the Rapide was an influence on the S, not the reverse.
smorgasbord
11-03-2012, 10:52 AM
The obvious comparison that people make to the Model S here is the Jag XF.
The XF was first shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS was originally sold in 2004, updated 2010.
The Audi Sportback Concept was first shown in 2009.
The 6th gen Hyundai Sonata (the car on the road I most often confuse with Model S), started development in 2005 and was first sold as the YFSontata in 2009, the same year it was first shown in the US.
Who's copying whom?
SoCalGuy
11-03-2012, 12:40 PM
11265
http://cdn4.leftlanenews.com/photos/content/january2012/thumbnails5.0/2015-evos-ri_653.jpg (http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-mustang-2015.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=mustang3&utm_campaign=taboola-lln-002)
Raffy.Roma
11-03-2012, 01:36 PM
11265
Nice! What car is this? First time that I see it. It's not a Fusion for sure. Then what is it? Is it an EVER?
Johan
11-03-2012, 01:39 PM
Nice! What car is this? First time that I see it. It's not a Fusion for sure. Then what is it?
Let your mouse hoover over the pic - it's text is 2015-ford-mustang-gt-coupe-concept-11.jpg. I like it a lot, it's very modern but still it's got that Mustang signature design element with the groves in the hood... Gives me a lot of associations to a big cat (leopard, puma or lioness).
SoCalGuy
11-03-2012, 01:48 PM
Let your mouse hoover over the pic - it's text is 2015-ford-mustang-gt-coupe-concept-11.jpg. I like it a lot, it's very modern but still it's got that Mustang signature design element with the groves in the hood... Gives me a lot of associations to a big cat (leopard, puma or lioness).
Its the Ford Evos concept car, the pre-cursor to the 2015 Mustang. I think they unveiled it this year or last, but it is meant to showcase the new Ford design language. We've seen part of this come to life in the new 2013 Fusion, but it is expected that much of the Evos will make its way into the 2015 Mustang - so fingers crossed! (Btw, the Evos concept car was a plug-in hybrid).
Raffy.Roma
11-03-2012, 01:52 PM
Let your mouse hoover over the pic - it's text is 2015-ford-mustang-gt-coupe-concept-11.jpg. I like it a lot, it's very modern but still it's got that Mustang signature design element with the groves in the hood... Gives me a lot of associations to a big cat (leopard, puma or lioness).
Yes you are right. But I gave a look on google and it looks like a normal ICE car. :-(
- - - Updated - - -
Its the Ford Evos concept car, the pre-cursor to the 2015 Mustang. I think they unveiled it this year or last, but it is meant to showcase the new Ford design language. We've seen part of this come to life in the new 2013 Fusion, but it is expected that much of the Evos will make its way into the 2015 Mustang - so fingers crossed! (Btw, the Evos concept car was a plug-in hybrid).
Thank you. Plug-in hybrid cars are much better than a normal ICE car. :-)
PopSmith
11-03-2012, 05:06 PM
Who's copying whom?
I'm not directing this at you, I'm just expanding on what you mentioned. That being said, it seems that most car designs (probably due to the ICE) are just expansions, mixes and modifications of other designs. I think this is part of what Franz was hinting at when he said that Tesla's body design will radically change how we see cars when Tesla becomes a more established automaker. (If I find an exact quote I'll update the post with it.)
smorgasbord
11-03-2012, 06:13 PM
it seems that most car designs (probably due to the ICE) are just expansions, mixes and modifications of other designs.
I think the car manufacturers are slaves to the god of Aerodynamics - hence striving for efficiency is making them all look similar.
roblab
11-03-2012, 06:49 PM
I think the car manufacturers are slaves to the god of Aerodynamics - hence striving for efficiency is making them all look similar.
Is this why Dodge cars and trucks all look like blocks? It looks like they think that aerodynamics is for wimps and they build muscle cars. Also, all I see are blocky pickup trucks. Hardly anyone does aero. Lexus? No. Mercedes? No. BMW? No. Not in general. All of them are reflecting "design elements". Tesla is pretty much alone with CD of .24.
Johan
11-03-2012, 06:56 PM
Is this why Dodge cars and trucks all look like blocks? It looks like they think that aerodynamics is for wimps and they build muscle cars. Also, all I see are blocky pickup trucks. Hardly anyone does aero. Lexus? No. Mercedes? No. BMW? No. Not in general. All of them are reflecting "design elements". Tesla is pretty much alone with CD of .24.
A lot of the Model S's cd of 0.24 has to do with the completely flat underbelly and the nose cone design without much grill/air intake in the front. This is something that is unique to a car without exhaust and without the need for air cooling of an ICE (radiator in the front). This is what allows for the low drag coefficient despite it being a fairly large car.
Let your mouse hoover over the pic ....
Hoover = Hover
Hoover = a vacuum brand
:)
- - - Updated - - -
The XF was first shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS was originally sold in 2004, updated 2010.
The Audi Sportback Concept was first shown in 2009.
The 6th gen Hyundai Sonata (the car on the road I most often confuse with Model S), started development in 2005 and was first sold as the YFSontata in 2009, the same year it was first shown in the US....
Model S showed 3/26/2009
Many here on TMC thought that it would be very much like the prototype Rapide of the time.
Most commonly though the Jag XJ is an easy comparison from the rear. - - -
smorgasbord
11-03-2012, 11:05 PM
A lot of the Model S's cd of 0.24 has to do with the completely flat underbelly and the nose cone design without much grill/air intake in the front.
Note that the Hyundai Sonata has a cD of .25, which is pretty darn close. This is even with a radiator and with handles that don't disappear and with a non-flat underbelly. Kind of makes one wonder what all the fuss about door handles was.
This is what allows for the low drag coefficient despite it being a fairly large car.
cD is independent of size and of frontal area. Make Model S twice as big in all directions and it still has a cD of .25.
Certainly there are similarities with other fastback bigger sedans/couple, but I personally feel that Franz's Model S design excels so much because of its subtlety. Like great Pininfarina designs, it grows on you and seduces you, rather than knocking you in the eye.
I once heard a great quote from Enzo Ferrari: How would you describe your cars? "They are like a mink-- soft, but wild."
Model S has the soft and the wild!