What purpose does the cavity behind the front "T" serve?

sigurdi · Nov 29, 2015

I would be more worried about the gap below the hood, where the T is mounted in the winter.

A friend was on the release event and it is a 10cm gap.
This will be filled with snow and salt in the winter time.

The T is "floting" in the air and easely broken of as a suvenier.

ecarfan · Nov 29, 2015

Falcon-wing doors in snow

sigurdi said:
A friend was on the release event and it is a 10 cm gap.

I assume you mean 10mm gap? 10cm is huge. That can't be correct.
I agree that 10mm (1 cm) seems large. Can anyone else confirm that? Doesn't sound right to me.

Spidy · Nov 29, 2015

ecarfan said:
I assume you mean 10mm gap? 10cm is huge. That can't be correct.
I agree that 10mm (1 cm) seems large. Can anyone else confirm that? Doesn't sound right to me.

IMG_0179 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

jerry33 · Nov 29, 2015

ecarfan said:
I assume you mean 10mm gap? 10cm is huge. That can't be correct.
I agree that 10mm (1 cm) seems large. Can anyone else confirm that? Doesn't sound right to me.

If he's referring to the part that appears black around the "T", that would be about 10 cm. I thought it was plastic like the nosecone of the Model S. If it's open, that's another matter entirely.

- - - Updated - - -

sigurdi said:
I would be more worried about the gap below the hood, where the T is mounted in the winter.

So how is the t mounted in the summer? [sorry]

ecarfan · Nov 29, 2015

Falcon-wing doors in snow

Spidy said:
IMG_0179 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I looked through those photos. The first photo appears to show the front Tesla "T" sticks out slightly. I don't see how that is going to cause a problem. There is a close up photo of the "T" that is blurred and it is not clear what supports the "T". But I doubt that is empty space. Suspect it is gloss black plastic.

Spidy · Nov 29, 2015

ecarfan said:
I looked through those photos. The first photo appears to show the front Tesla "T" sticks out slightly. I don't see how that is going to cause a problem. There is a close up photo of the "T" that is blurred and it is not clear what supports the "T". But I doubt that is empty space. Suspect it is gloss black plastic.

Random Model X sightings - Page 35

Matias · Nov 29, 2015

Does that cavity have some functionality?

ecarfan · Nov 29, 2015

Spidy said:
Random Model X sightings - Page 35

Thank you for the link to a closeup, in focus image of the X front "T". Now I see that it appears to stand out by about an inch from the rear of that cavity. I do not see what the "10 cm" distance posted earlier refers to.

AnOutsider · Nov 29, 2015

ecarfan said:
Thank you for the link to a closeup, in focus image of the X front "T". Now I see that it appears to stand out by about an inch from the rear of that cavity. I do not see what the "10 cm" distance posted earlier refers to.

That cavity looks at least 3" deep to me. 10cm is just under 4"

ecarfan · Nov 29, 2015

If that cavity is that deep, then I wonder what the purpose of it is. Seems odd to me. An air intake for the HVAC?

sigurdi · Nov 29, 2015

Falcon-wing doors in snow

My Friend put his hand and arm inside to find the bottom, did not reach down to the bottom. (Got fisted hand inside)
He do not have tiny hands so it is 10cm gap.

He also tried to take a picture inside but to dark and did not get a focus

I guess it is a air intake, some internal spoiler to get more pressure on the front wheels or just air passthrough to get the the 0.24 number.
Parts of Norway have snow one day and rain the next.
Regular my car is packed with heavy snow in the frontal area.

Matias · Nov 30, 2015

ecarfan said:
If that cavity is that deep, then I wonder what the purpose of it is. Seems odd to me. An air intake for the HVAC?

That would be disaster, because that intake would get blocked during snowing and windows would get blocked by condensation.

Johan · Nov 30, 2015

I don't think it's an air intake, but rather that it has to do with aerodynamics, perhaps directing frontal airflow better than a rounded front. Or as sigurdi suggests a type of front spoiler function to increase traction on the front wheels during higher speeds.

sigurdi · Nov 30, 2015

He did not slide under the car to look for the outlet.

ecarfan · Nov 30, 2015

Johan said:
I don't think it's an air intake, but rather that it has to do with aerodynamics, perhaps directing frontal airflow better than a rounded front. Or as sigurdi suggests a type of front spoiler function to increase traction on the front wheels during higher speeds.

This is proving to be quite an interesting discussion about an intriguing feature of the X. Thanks for your comments. I'm looking forward to seeing one in my local Tesla showroom, sticking my arm in that cavity, and asking the staff "What is this hole for?" [emoji3]
It surely has a specific purpose.

Discoducky · Nov 30, 2015

ecarfan said:
This is proving to be quite an interesting discussion about an intriguing feature of the X. Thanks for your comments. I'm looking forward to seeing one in my local Tesla showroom, sticking my arm in that cavity, and asking the staff "What is this hole for?" [emoji3]
It surely has a specific purpose.

I would kindly ask the mod to carve off this discussion into its own thread as I agree it is a good topic.

It is probably best to investigate personally, but it surely would be most impressive if the "T" glowed and lit up the cavity and made it look like it was floating. And maybe is able to change its color due to preference or even amount of torque being applied (would be cool to see it go intense red with full power)

For the functionality, with such a low Cd, I can't imagine it would increase drag, but decrease drag and does serve a functional purpose. Should be fairly easy to look and see if the cavity is connected to anything.

AnOutsider · Nov 30, 2015

Discoducky said:
I would kindly ask the mod to carve off this discussion into its own thread as I agree it is a good topic.

It is probably best to investigate personally, but it surely would be most impressive if the "T" glowed and lit up the cavity and made it look like it was floating. And maybe is able to change its color due to preference or even amount of torque being applied (would be cool to see it go intense red with full power)

For the functionality, with such a low Cd, I can't imagine it would increase drag, but decrease drag and does serve a functional purpose. Should be fairly easy to look and see if the cavity is connected to anything.

Moved to a new thread.

This is indeed interesting. If it's for air flow, I wonder if there's an active shutter there as well? Though, it doesn't seem so from most photos.

satheesh.net · Nov 30, 2015

So, I'm guessing I'm that friend of yours Sigurd? :wink:

Anyways, I showed all the pictures I took at the launch event at my place and we (Sigurd and I) got into a discussion about what the point of this big gap is. I've attached the picture for your pleasure...

PS! Sorry for the blurry pic, I was trying to blog and take pictures at the same time. (Btw, see my personal review on the Model X here if you're curious.)

vandacca · Nov 30, 2015

I know where I'm hanging my xmas LED lights every December!

I hope there is a 12v receptacle at the end of the cavity. ;-)

sigurdi · Nov 30, 2015

Yes satheesh you are the famous friend.
I do not mention friends by nick without asking first.

What purpose does the cavity behind the front "T" serve?

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