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Comparing the Model S to the Rapide is probably the comment that I have heard most from people (at least those who know cars). It probably is the most similar overall (especially the profile). The Jaguar XF is a close second (more so the rear on that car).
No, his designs were dumped; he turned in progressively worse designs till he was dumped (then used his real designs for the Karma). These lines are Franz's.The initial designer of the Model S was Henrik Fisker, designer of the Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage. That's where the lines come from.
@Todd Burch, @vfx ...
My understanding was that Henrik Fisker was tasked with the Model S initial design but Tesla went...um...another direction, and that direction was Franz's. I'm sure the forum historians will correct the record in short order.
I had heard that the rough shape came from Henrik...but I'm just passing on what I've heard in the past so I could very well be wrong.
A lot of the Aston Martin look came from Ian Callum, before Fisker. Then Callum went to Jaguar and that had a lot of influence on the XKR which looks very similar to the Vantage. He also designed the XF which, of course, has styling elements "borrowed" from the Model S.The initial designer of the Model S was Henrik Fisker, designer of the Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage. That's where the lines come from.
The XF is the derivative. The MS was designed and shown first.
(Note, he left Tesla a while back...)...Peter Rawlinson serves as the Chief Vehicle Engineer and Vice President of Tesla Motors, Inc. Mr. Rawlinson is responsible for the technical execution and delivery of the Model S, and for leading a world-class vehicle engineering team. He led vehicle engineering at Corus Automotive, an advanced engineering consulting firm. Mr. Rawlinson guided projects, including for the Jaguar X and F types; Land Rover Freelander and Discovery; Ford Fiesta; Honda Accord; BMW 5-Series; and Bentley Continental. Mr. Rawlinson's works on the Think electric vehicle set a new world record for best crash safety performance in the subcompact vehicle class. Mr. Rawlinson also spent nearly a decade at Jaguar, ascending to the position of Principal Engineer, working on advanced body structure design, layout and packaging, including crashworthiness...
Thanks for sharing that background. It is very interesting to see what the speculation was (over 4 years ago!) on what other cars the Model S would look like.There are old threads on this forum where the Model S concept was compared a long while back to Jag XF & Rapide. Some comparisons to Porsche Panamera, and Maserati Quattroporte as well.
WhiteStar styling ideas - Page 8
WhiteStar styling ideas - Page 34
Hey, Merry Christmas, Dave.Thanks for sharing that background. It is very interesting to see what the speculation was (over 4 years ago!) on what other cars the Model S would look like.
No, his designs were dumped; he turned in progressively worse designs till he was dumped (then used his real designs for the Karma). These lines are Franz's.
I own both the Karma and the Model S. I like both of them a lot. But I have to tell you, I get at least 3 times as many compliments on the looks of the Karma as I do on the Model S.
Ironically, the Model S drives like the Karma looks, and the Karma drives like the Model S looks!