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

[TEG]

Foam mock up:


Dark Gray "Aero buck" or "Mule" (?):


White non drivable "roller" with no drivetrain. ("Exterior Design Model"):


Completed silver "early" drivable prototype.
(Seems to be based on a Mercedes chassis with fiberglass body panels and a Roadster motor):

[mt2]

Ah, yes. That would explain the screen door grill.

[jimbayne]

I think the car overall looks exactly like the Jag XF but that's okay
I was hoping to buy a leftover 2010 in 2011, now I will probably just get a Tesla S

Jim

[TEG]

Well, the "nose" continues to be an item of interest, so perhaps it is time to resurrect this thread.

Now that the "Alpha build" is out, here are some mock-ups and comments people have been making in other topics:

Poster over at Tesla's blog posted this photoshop of the "nose cone" painted same color of car. He admits he's not proficient at photoshop, however I can see what he was trying.

Perhaps something like this...

And in a lot of ways this mockup much more closely resembles the Roadster than the current Alpha.

Quick photoshop grille chrome stripe....

A version with the 2.5 roadster grill.

Just as long as it doesn't morph into that fat lipped grin that became part of the Mazda design language during Franz von Holzhausen's tenure.

(also mentioned here...)

[Kipernicus]

I like the nose on the silver prototype best. Perhaps they had to move the bumper up to comply with EU pedestrian safety laws.

[Tommy]

The CAD rendition:


From the Menlo Park Showroom:

[mt2]

Okay, I've been staring at it for a couple of days now, and I can't bring myself to liking the front end. I want to see the chrome and the badge back on the nose to dress it up a little. Get rid of the "whiskers" in the vents on either side.

I admit, it looks sporty. But I want something that looks more mature and refined. The silver / maroon prototype had that.

[TEG]

Random ideas:

[Iz]

Okay, I've been staring at it for a couple of days now, and I can't bring myself to liking the front end.

Same here. I prefer the nose on the White non drivable "roller". IMO that nose gave it a certain level of character.

[Jaff]

I think the screen door would look better in black.

Ah, yes. That would explain the screen door grill.