telsa blue star - Page 2

TEG · 05-02-2009, 12:28 PM

Mini Clubman is bigger than a Smart but still small.

Will they do half rear doors like on the Clubman and Rx-8?

EVnut · 05-02-2009, 12:48 PM

I agree that an E-Smart swings the pendulum too far in the small direction. Maybe a micro car can be the follow-on "Black Star." My big hope was for a small mid-size vehicle - something in the Civic to Prius range. But then nobody really asked me, did they? ;)

Something with the interior size of the Mini Clubman would be great. For me, the S is just too damn big, and the Smart is too damn small. I need Goldilocks' car!

TEG · 05-02-2009, 12:58 PM

Something the size of the MiEV?

WarpedOne · 05-02-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Something the size of the MiEV?

No.
Model S is a large saloon, next smaller step is a midsize saloon or a 5-door hatchback. Fiat Bravo, Renault Megane, Mazda 3, Toyota Auris, Honda CIvic. Such cars are very popular in Europe, I guess they aren't so popular in USA ...

MeEV, Yaris, Mazda2 and similar 4 wheeled abominations cause mental illness.

Chris H. · 05-02-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

From the NYT here:

Quote:

Mr. Musk is thinking ahead. He told me that Tesla’s third car will be a smaller battery electric, the size of a Mini Clubman and priced under $30,000. Developing a prototype of that car will take two to three years, he said.

In "Elonspeak" that means $37,400.00, minus the Fed rebate...

TEG · 05-02-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarpedOne

No.
Model S is a large saloon, next smaller step is a midsize saloon or a 5-door hatchback. Fiat Bravo, Renault Megane, Mazda 3, Toyota Auris, Honda CIvic. Such cars are very popular in Europe, I guess they aren't so popular in USA ...

MeEV, Yaris, Mazda2 and similar 4 wheeled abominations cause mental illness.

Well, I think the mini Clubman that the NYT article mentioned is closer to MiEV/Yaris/Mazda2 then it is to Bravo/Megane/Civic, etc.

Also the Smart that Graham mentioned is even smaller still.

I agree that it would be best if it were larger than Smart and Mini (even the Clubman).

Around here the Smart and Mini are really niche vehicles, whereas cars like the Civic, Corolla, & Mazda3 are the big sellers.

Perhaps just an 8/10th scale Model S.

efusco · 05-02-2009, 06:52 PM

To sell they need something designed like the Prius. Small outside, capacious inside, aerodynamic, family oriented with decent cargo capacity. There are a million cute little uber-golf carts out there and on the horizon, but if Tesla's going to be taken seriously as a real car maker they have to build cars that real, mainstream, people want to buy.

dpeilow · 05-02-2009, 07:26 PM

WarpedOne - those sized cars are pretty popular in the US too. I think if Tesla do make the bluestar smaller than say a BMW 3 series, they are missing the most popular segment. I think there is still a long way to go...

WarpedOne · 05-03-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

I think if Tesla do make the bluestar smaller than say a BMW 3 series, they are missing the most popular segment. I think there is still a long way to go...

I agree, only that 3-series is still a sedan and that rear boot is nothing to write home about. Tesla already has a roadster, we hope they will have a large sport saloon. To really widen their portfolio they need something that is really different, not only of different size. Like a midsized hatchback. I really like that Fiat Bravo design, I'd say it would be perfect in e-Bravo form with a little added luxury. :)

AnOutsider · 05-03-2009, 09:58 AM

Well with Franz at the helm, we should get something aesthetically-pleasing, even if it's not the size everyone hopes for. That guy is like a goose, and he's found the perfect nest to lay his golden eggs.

Most conventional companies (like the ones he worked for) tend to shy away from concept designs that are edgy when it comes to production. So far, the Model S is edgy, yet conservative (and classy) enough to make it to market relatively unchanged from the current design.