Engineering Prototypes (EPs)

TEG · 08-12-2007, 04:48 AM

When Tesla first started up they built a clay model to validate the body styling.
(This model has since been destroyed)

They also built a "buck" for aerodynamic testing.
And a "mule" which is drivable but was cobbled together from a non-Tesla vehicle with custom bodywork.

Then they built "Engineering/Evaluation Prototypes" (EPs) to figure out what refinements were needed for production.

Finally they built "Validation Prototypes" (VPs) to test the refinements before putting them into production.

Along the way they had to crash test a number of the prototypes so not all still exist.

From the Tesla blogs:

Quote:

If you wish to play “spot the difference” between our photographs of the EPs and VP1, here are some to look out for:

* Headlamp and tail lamps (or headlights and tail lights) – The EPs had functional place holders while VPs are fitted to production intent.
* Seats – The VP seat shell has a wider base and trim detail has evolved.
* Centre console – We modified the profile to match the seat change.
* Heating and ventilation – Controls and graphics were adjusted for clarity.
* Center High Mounted Stop Lamp, pronounced “chimsel.” It was repositioned to improve rear visibility."

TEG · 08-12-2007, 04:49 AM

"EP1" ("Engineering Prototype 1" ... "Obsidian Black"):

"EP2" ("Engineering Prototype 2"... "The most seen press car"... "Radiant Red"):

TEG · 08-12-2007, 07:12 AM

EP3? ("Glacier Blue?") European test vehicle? (Shown at Goodwood festival of Speed?) Crash tested?:

EP6 (Non Tesla Blue Color?) European test vehicle... now in the USA (or is this EP4?):

EP4? ("Very Orange") European test vehicle? :

EP5 ("Brilliant Yellow") European durability test vehicle? (now confirmed back in the USA with transmission upgraded) :

TEG · 08-12-2007, 07:25 AM

We may not have seen these colors yet: Fusion Red, Jet Black, Racing Green.

There were 10 EPs made. EP1 (black) & EP2 (red) are the most seen press cars. EP2 was used for most of the pre-sales rides.
EP5 (yellow) & VP1 (green) have been spotted a lot in the bay area doing durability testing.

I am not sure of the current fate of the other 6 EPs.
(perhaps 3 or 4 went to crash testing)

TEG · 08-12-2007, 07:39 AM

EP3 FMVSS testing

TEG · 08-12-2007, 08:06 AM

Thunder Gray in Sweden (EP10?) :

TEG · 08-12-2007, 08:08 AM

Notice that both the Sweden test vehicle and mystery blue car have foglights installed.

TEG · 08-12-2007, 08:10 AM

More EP6 from the "Blowing Hot and Cold" blog:

And here

tonybelding · 08-12-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

How about this guy from the "Blowing Hot and Cold" blog

It's either the Magnetic Blue car with really poor lighting, or it's what Lotus refer to as "Midnight Blue" which is a super-dark metallic blue.

Yes, the Elise is available in three different shades of metallic blue: Midnight Blue, Magnetic Blue, and Laser Blue. Tesla's Electric Blue is apparently the same as Lotus's Laser Blue, based on the photos of VP 9.

CORRECTION: The darkest blue that Lotus offer is Nightfall Blue, not Midnight Blue. I had simply mis-remembered it.

CORRECTION 2: I forgot about Polar Blue. The Elise is actually offered in *four* different blues.

tonybelding · 10-16-2007, 08:06 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1085953...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1085953...n/photostream/

The circumstances under which this car was photographed are a complete mystery to me. The poster claims to have taken the pictures with an iPhone and jokingly referred to it as "our Tesla".

The color looks like what Lotus refer to as "Nightfall Blue". It looks good. . . It's a shame Tesla aren't offering it, or "Magnetic Blue" either.

From what little I can see (tail light, seats), this car appears to be a VP. There was also an EP in Nightfall Blue, which we've seen earlier going through the salt spray test and freezing test.