Model S Nose Cone Designs (Prototype, Alpha, Beta and beyond)

[Todd Burch]

On the plus side...it's easier to clean bugs off the solid nose!

[roblab]

Little photoshop of old style grille onto new front. There is a hood line down from the top of the oval, so the T has to be down a bit. Also, the bumper used to be at the bottom of the oval, and is now across the middle, for regulatory reasons maybe. I would think it likely that TMC has plans for that black area. But here's my 2 cents again.

[vfx]

Thanks Rob, This is close to what I was thinking of mocking up. It makes the most sense with what Tesla has been doing on all the previous S versions and explains the plastic top piece withing the opening..

...

The counter argument to this version is the badge that is on top of the hood of the Alpha and how it relates to the 2.5 Roadster hood emblem treatment.

[Ipe]

At least it looks slightly better with @roblabs modification. Now Tesla please get rid of or at least downplay the roadscraping frontspoiler, it's a feature best suited to the taste of fifteen year old boys dreaming of their first car (didn't someone here mention Camaro?).
First time in my life that I paid ahead for a car (still waiting for my production number...) and already have it ruined ... but it doesn't look hopeless yet.

[mt2]

Little photoshop of old style grille onto new front. There is a hood line down from the top of the oval, so the T has to be down a bit. Also, the bumper used to be at the bottom of the oval, and is now across the middle, for regulatory reasons maybe. I would think it likely that TMC has plans for that black area. But here's my 2 cents again.
[Image clipped]

I did the same mock up and then removed the "whiskers" in the front vents. It really cleaned up the front. I agree with Ipe who commented about the spoiler being "best suited to the taste of fifteen year old boys", but also figure it must be important to the aerodynamics or it wouldn't be there.

All in all, I think they are targeting the wrong demographic. It's a $50,000+ sedan that seats 5+2, for crying out loud. It's not a Trans Am. You can't even gun the engine at a red light if you tried!

[Nik]

That all looks a little bit Vauxhall/Opel to European eyes. Not a good comparison to be creating.

[Ipe]

Well, since the grill is superfluous (at least the top half of it), it would probably be better to remove it completely and design a new front. The wish to stick to the prototype look has resulted in something that is supposed to resemble a grill but is obviously fake. And fake is not something you want in a quality product.

[vfx]

That all looks a little bit Vauxhall/Opel to European eyes. Not a good comparison to be creating.

Can't say I disgree but we don't have those here in the US. I had never seen this before.

[roblab]

I wasn't as impressed with the little Vauxhall (owned by GM for the last 85 years), but it at least has a "V" in front. This one looks more sporty. And we do have a few in the US, but they are very common in UK. I wouldn't confuse it with the Tesla!

[TEG]

...the little Vauxhall...

Coincidentally, that uses a Lotus chassis with some similarity to the Roadster's.