Model S - Spy Shots

[NigelM]

Quite likely that the silver canister is a drier/accumulator for the A/C system. It is bigger than I would expect to see in an automobile, however in an EV where it is also cooling the battery pack....maybe?

Alternatively, it looks to me like a large accelerometer which is used for measuring forces and vibration. We use much smaller ones for tracking animal behavior but on a test car something this size could also make sense.

 

[vfx]

I meant "gas cylinder". It got spell corrected to calendar.

I just thought it was a term I was unfamiliar with. Seemed almost plausible since a calendar shows time units and there are a lot of readouts in those interior pics.

 

[vfx]

So the "nose" is plugged up.

In the desert.

What is not getting cooled?

 

[Doug_G]

The "nose" doesn't do any cooling. The intakes are under the headlamps. If the "nose" had a grille the incoming air would be cooling the trunk.

 

[vfx]

Other inane observations.

It's #5

That square-ish shape in the bottom drivers side bumper look vaguely like an Avcon socket

Equipped a with a CB radio!

 

[doug]

Can anyone read the VIN off that test screen?

 

[TEG]

Maybe VIN #9 ?

Welcome to Death Valley National Park
Sat, July 30th.
Accessory voltage 13.3v ?
Main voltage 376v ?
...

 

[Adm]

First block appears to be car info:
Line 1: Car VIN
Line 2: ?
Line 3: ?
Line 4: ?
Line 5: Speed (0 mph)
Line 6: Date and time
Line 7: ?
Line 8: ?
Line 9: ?

Block 2 (battery condition)

Line 1: ?
Line 2: ?
Line 3: ?
Line 4: 376v
Line 5: Battery temp?

Block 3 (energy consumption?)

Line 1: 0 WpM 282 WpM
Line 2: 272 WpM 168 WpM

Really could use some NSA photo enhancing programm

 

[doug]

Really could use some NSA photo enhancing programm

Maybe these guys can help:

 

[NigelM]

Here's that silver canister again - definitely(?) part of the A/C:

 

[WhiteKnight]

That square-ish shape in the bottom drivers side bumper look vaguely like an Avcon socket

Why can't that be the chargeport? Does the chargeport have to be at the same height as a gas tank? I would rather have it closer to the floor so I could step over it if I needed to rather than blocking my garage off like a rope line. Isn't that location very close to the Power Electronics Module?

Franz said the following:

Franz: The charge port is located toward the rear of the car, on the driver’s side. The majority of charging happens at home so this is the most functional location. Similar to the door handles, the charge port door hides when not in use. It was important to me to make charging a unique experience. You’ll see on the Beta vehicles, the charge port looks nothing like a traditional fuel door.

 

[doug]

Here's that silver canister again - definitely(?) part of the A/C:

If that's the same cylinder, it looks like it's been relocated.

 

[qwk]

Isn't that location very close to the Power Electronics Module?[/I]

The PEM is in the back, next to the motor. That's probably one of the main reasons that the charge point is in the back.

 

[doug]

That square-ish shape in the bottom drivers side bumper look vaguely like an Avcon socket

Same thing is on the other side. I doubt it's a charge port.

Picture 6 - It Lives! Tesla Model S pre-production prototype spied

 

[vfx]

Why can't that be the chargeport? Does the chargeport have to be at the same height as a gas tank? I would rather have it closer to the floor so I could step over it if I needed to rather than blocking my garage off like a rope line. ...
...

Yes a gasoline filler needs to be higher so gravity can fill a gasoline tank but there is also ergonomics. Stooping over for many of the population would be unacceptable. Many of which are the ones that can afford this car.
I would also worry about a simple fender bender effectively disabling the car if that was the final charge port location.

 

[TEG]

Here's that silver canister again...

View attachment 2236

Maybe that is the fusion reactor! It could explain why we don't see a charge port anywhere! :tongue:

 

[NigelM]

Guess you've all seen this:

 

[AnOutsider]

Guess you've all seen this:
View attachment 2265

looks like that's the prototype?

 

[deenko]

Same thing is on the other side. I doubt it's a charge port.

Picture 6 - It Lives! Tesla Model S pre-production prototype spied

They are pressure relief valves. They keep from blowing your ear drums when someone closes the trunk. All cars have something like this in some shape or form. They are normally hidden under the bumper skin, so this car does not have the bumper skin on.

That cylinder looks like a resiviour (spelling?) for the air suspension. Most ac reciever dryers are part or attached to the condensers.

 

[NigelM]

How does the system for manufacturer license plates work in California? This looks like the same plate on a Roadster and two different Model S's:

Roadster:

From the test track:

From the latest video: