Gen III Announced for Sale as Early as 2015

[bonnie1194]

Tesla’s electric 3-series rival ‘on sale in 2015’ | Autocar

Work on Tesla’s third model line — a range of cars to rival the BMW 3-series — is under way. Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, confirmed that the first of the new models could launch as early as 2015.

(thanks for the link, Marcus)

[clmason]

I like this part:
Von Holzhausen also admitted that the new model will boast more distinctive styling than the relatively conventional Model S. “We will become more experimental as we develop as a brand,” he said. “Our cars need to have some personality.”

Any guesses to what elements will be experimental?

Funky Doors
No Side Mirrors, cameras instead
Novel options like those submitted to the Opportunity Console thread
others...

[JRP3]

Hopefully extreme but still beautiful aero for amazing efficiency.

[ckessel]

Hopefully extreme but still beautiful aero for amazing efficiency.

I'll be curious just how much they can really change. You need a front crumple zone. You need a passenger compartment. I'm not sure just how wild they can get.

[adric22]

I'll be curious just how much they can really change. You need a front crumple zone. You need a passenger compartment. I'm not sure just how wild they can get.

Ever see the Aptera? While I doubt Tesla would go that route, the point is there are plenty of wild things that can be done!

[AnOutsider]

Wouldn't efficiency be even more important in a cheaper car?

[Norbert]

Wouldn't efficiency be even more important in a cheaper car?

I'd think so. If it doesn't have to look conventional, the aero requirement by itself is maybe not as restrictive.

BTW, I do like the Model S look very much (as in: what looks better?), just adding that so the above sentence doesn't get misinterpreted.

[WarpedOne]

Aero only amounts for about a half of all drag, tires produce the other half.

Some ideas:
- reduce the wheels downto about 205/55/16
- tires should be fully closed outside and also inside at the rear
- add active tirepressure control - faster you drive, higher the tirepressure
- loose the mirrors
- route the outlets of aircooling to the rear of the car to help fill the air-void behind the car
- add agressive adaptive cruse control that is capable of following very close to the car driving in front of you
- use composites everywhere

[vfx]

- loose the mirrors

Franz said they are working with other manufactures to get rid of outside mirrors. Don't hold your breath though.

[JRP3]

Aero only amounts for about a half of all drag, tires produce the other half.

That doesn't seem right. Unless you are including the aero drag of wheels and tires, which I would include in the general "aero" category. If you just mean rolling resistance I don't think there is that much you can do to improve it more than a few percentage points.