Design Flaw: Front End Collision = Expensive Repairs

I am one of the reservation holder of Model S. Upon close up inspection on Model S prototype on display, I noticed the front end is a very poorly thought out design. Although the front end styling looks nice aesthetically with influence from Aston Martin's original design ($$$), the hood extends all the way to the front end above the grille without separate bumper section. During front end collisions (slow 3 mph), both the hood and the grille are the first impact point of contact and it will get easily damaged together with the front body panel. I also imagine of rumors that the charging port will also be hidden inside the front grille. This will be a very expensive repair cost potentially considering it's made of alluminum. I'd rather have a front panel with grille and bumper as one section for impact (crumple) zone that can be easily replaced at low cost, rather than having to also replace the hood as well. Who knows how much it will cost to also replace the front charging port? With similarities to Maserati's front end design, Maserati has done a good job designing their front end without exposing the hood to the front end.

Also into consideration, insurance companies may raise the coverage premiums for Model S, due to discovering its expensive aluminum repair costs as described above.

You can view how luxury cars fare in 3mph bumper crash test below;

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/08/03/057181.html

I hope Tesla rethinks this major design flaw for avoiding expensive front end collision repair costs. They should reconsider affordable lower costs with minimum parts replacement for mass target market potential.

You can view the image below link to see how far the aluminum bonnet tip goes. It is the first point of contact with the grille during frontal impacts. This is what I am refering to that needs to be re-engineeered to reduce expensive repairs.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/Cybortec/tesla/bumper.jpg

It's hilarious how you guys having wild conspiracy theories of me being an anti-EV. I am one of the Model S buyers too, so I am not here to bash on Tesla Model S. I was a former auto designer myself, so I am just giving my opinion on design improvements.

The difference between Audi's design is the bonnet is a lot higher than Model S. That's why Audi's design works very well on bumper tests. Model S bonnet curves down much lower as you can see in the pic link below for comparison to Audi. We will wait and see what the final design of Model S is, after they have done the crash tests on Betas. I am not going to say anything more to create a stir.

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/high-resolution-wallpapers/tesla-model-s/tesla-model-s-2009-5.jpg



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Model S front design looks proportionally similar to Maserati's design. There is a very good engineering reason why Maserati originally designed its bonnet away from the front bumper section to avoid costly repairs on minor bumper impacts.

Ckessel- Ouch! I don't know what your frickin problem is? From your postings, your negative attitude sounds very obnoxious and rude. It obviously tells us what type of a negative character you really are. If you really enjoy conducting armchair dotcom character assasinations and are happy that I am a former auto designer, that's fine because I don't really care what you think! You obviously don't know who you are dealing with here. FYI: I honestly don't regret being a former auto designer because I have a much better lucrative career position now working for a former F1 boss! Did I say F1 boss?? Yes he is an ex Formula One Racing boss. Now does that make you happy too? I suggest you please go feed your negativity elsewhere with your own attitude problem. I just don't waste my time with negative individuals like you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Sorry to other folks for being off topic.

ckessel said:

Cytek, you've obviously got some crazy agenda to push. As I drive around and look at other cars, there are a huge number of them with designs just like the proposed Model S design as far as where the bonnet is located in proportion to other elements. With half the cars on the roads being trucks and SUVs, the few inches in height differential between the Model S and the pictured Audi is meaningless. If you were an auto designer and this is what you're getting so excited about you've felt a need to triple post it across at least here and the official Tesla forums, then maybe it's a good thing you're a "former" auto designer.

You're just fear mongering for no reason.

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