Gen III Range & Pricing Speculation

[gjunky]

It better be able to use the supercharger network at full charging rate with the largest battery. I still can't believe they decided to cut the 40kWh Model S out from this network.

For me, a 350-400 mile range would be wonderful. If there is a 600 mile version (either standard or through temporary battery swap), that would be perfect as it allows me to drive to Las Vegas, LA and San Diego from Phoenix. I could even maintain a good average speed with that range.

After driving the Model S though, the most important thing in the GEN III for me will be the low center of gravity and the absolute silence in the chassis. Just wonderful driving that car.

I am just worried that Nissan or VW will catch up and finally make a car with a greater than 100 mile EPA rate. This wouldn't be a bad thing but would increase the competition for Tesla. The clock is ticking.

[jerry33]

I am just worried that Nissan or VW will catch up and finally make a car with a greater than 100 mile EPA rate. This wouldn't be a bad thing but would increase the competition for Tesla. The clock is ticking.

I don't believe this will happen until those companies are willing to let go of ICE cars. Right now they are marketing the electric car as a (poor) secondary choice for a commuter only car.

[ryanjm]

Finally chiming in after reading through this thread. I'm now resigned to the fact that I can't QUITE afford Model S, so I'm now targeting BlueStar (with the wife being on board, which she isn't for the pricier S). My current car will be 10 years old then anyway. Thus, I've been thinking a lot about this car and have a few thoughts:

-They'll have to build it out of aluminum, right? Sure it's pricier but they almost have to for the lighter weight and its effect on range. They will also be very invested in aluminum with S and X, anyway.

-Assuming current battery chemistry, I suspect they'll offer ~40Kwh and ~60Kwh similar to S, which will take this car a bit further given its smaller size. Probably ~250-mile range out of the big battery. I don't think they'll offer an ~85Kwh, as I just don't see Tesla besting their own luxury model in range.

-As AnOutsider and others have said, I think they'll stick with the touchscreen interface, but likely a smaller display. I agree with 15". Their enter driver UI is built. They're not going to throw that away for mechanical knobs and buttons just to make S look more luxurious. They've spent years and a lots of money building a platform. They'll leverage it, and it will become a signature Tesla thing.

-Besides the car being smaller, I think BlueStar will lose a handful of luxury items that S has, like the panoramic roof, air suspension, retractable door handles, power rear liftgate, electrochromatic side mirrors, and the premium audio system likely won't be as good.

-I suspect there will be a Performance version, a la Lexus IS F or BMW M3. I'm hoping for 4.9 or 5.0 or so 0-60 on it. Quicker would be awesome, of course, but again, I don't think they'll get too close to the S Performance.

-17" (standard) and 19" (performance) on the wheels, IMO.

-Finally, the name: Just a guess here, obviously, but what about Model E ("everyone" -- could be useful in the marketing campaign)?

Who thinks they'll do a Signature series for this car? The only reason why I question it at all is because it's the mass-production, mass-market car, so maybe they won't do anything that special. But if they do, I hope to be on the Sig list.

Hopefully Franz makes this car as sexy as the S is.

[stopcrazypp]

-They'll have to build it out of aluminum, right? Sure it's pricier but they almost have to for the lighter weight and its effect on range. They will also be very invested in aluminum with S and X, anyway.

Don't remember where I read it, but I think the Gen III will be mostly steel to save money. There might be various versions (like the next gen Roadster if it is built on the same platform) that use more aluminum though.

-Finally, the name: Just a guess here, obviously, but what about Model E ("everyone" -- could be useful in the marketing campaign)?

I think "Model T" would be the most obvious since it will be a "mass market" car (like Ford's version). We have R (Roadster/Gen I), S (Model S/Gen II), T (Model T/Gen III). When the "Model S" name was announced, I think most people guessed Tesla would be heading in this naming direction.

[jerry33]

I don't believe there is much sense to Tesla switching to steel from aluminium because they have put a lot of work into perfecting the aluminium construction, they already have a source of aluminium (which should become cheaper as they purchase more) and they are already set up to make aluminium bodies. Going with steel would mean a whole separate development cycle and would make the car no better than the other EVs out there.

[ryanjm]

I think "Model T" would be the most obvious since it will be a "mass market" car (like Ford's version). We have R (Roadster/Gen I), S (Model S/Gen II), T (Model T/Gen III). When the "Model S" name was announced, I think most people guessed Tesla would be heading in this naming direction.

That was certainly the first thing I thought of too, but I figured that, given its historical significance, Ford must still have that one on lockdown. And sure enough, it looks like they do.

[stopcrazypp]

That was certainly the first thing I thought of too, but I figured that, given its historical significance, Ford must still have that one on lockdown. And sure enough, it looks like they do.

Ford had a Model R and Model S too, but Tesla was able to get the Model S name. They might be able to work something out for the Model T.

It looks like Ford had to continue to extend it every 6 months because of they haven't been able to provide a statement of use and the current filing was started at the end of 2009 (probably in response to Tesla filing for Model S in early 2009). If Ford can't provide a statement of use within 36 months of the initial notice of allowance in 2009 (basically they must prove they currently make a car named "Model T" by early 2013), then Tesla has a chance of taking that trademark.
http://teas.uspto.gov/teas/eTEASpageB2.htm

[youlikeadajuice]

Who thinks they'll do a Signature series for this car? The only reason why I question it at all is because it's the mass-production, mass-market car, so maybe they won't do anything that special. But if they do, I hope to be on the Sig list.

I actually was wondering if they would offer the Signature Series for Bluestar the other day. It got me to thinking that it would probably put the price up into low to mid range Model S territory, given the mark up of the S sigs. I think I'd much rather have a regular S than a Bluestar sig Although, it would be pretty cool to have a "signature" anything! This is all without even knowing what Bluestar will really even be!

[ryanjm]

I actually was wondering if they would offer the Signature Series for Bluestar the other day. It got me to thinking that it would probably put the price up into low to mid range Model S territory, given the mark up of the S sigs. I think I'd much rather have a regular S than a Bluestar sig Although, it would be pretty cool to have a "signature" anything! This is all without even knowing what Bluestar will really even be!

I completely agree with you on the price. But for me a fully-loaded, 250-mile range Performance/Sig BlueStar is more appealing than a bare-bones, 160-mile range Model S for the same price.

[youlikeadajuice]

I completely agree with you on the price. But for me a fully-loaded, 250-mile range Performance/Sig BlueStar is more appealing than a bare-bones, 160-mile range Model S for the same price.

I completely get that, I just don't think I can wait til 2015! Your patience exceeds mine! (and I'm going for the 60Kwh)