After years of waiting, Tesla Model X is finally here - Polidicks

(for a limited production of early adopters) [img]http://i.imgur.com/VUOmk6t.jpg[/img] [img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/wRxR3js.jpg[/img_thumb] [quote]This week on Tuesday night, Tesla TSLA -3.08% will hold one of its most important events in months, and potentially years. At its factory in Fremont, Calif., the company will deliver the first of its Model X electric cars, a new crossover SUV, to its first customers. The Model X is a very important car for Tesla. The company is using it to transition into selling multiple products (not just its highly-acclaimed Model S), to attract new kinds of customers (many of them women), and to significantly expand its California factory’s production. ... Tesla’s Tuesday night event won’t be the Model X’s unveiling. Three and a half years ago, the company showed off the car publicly for the first time at its design studio in Hawthorne, Calif., outside of Los Angeles. But since then, it has had to delay shipments repeatedly, first to the end of 2014, and now to the third quarter of 2015.[/quote] [url]http://fortune.com/2015/09/28/tesla-model-x-event/[/url] Will be shown live here: [url]http://www.teslamotors.com/[/url] The unveiling, three years ago: [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mURbzh9t0_0[/media] Que discussion of why EV's suck/are awesome and how the Falcon wing doors are going to be a flop!

Tesla needs to start working on a FCEV

I really think their advert / commercial on TV needs to be something like this driving towards the screen and then turning into a bird. [img]http://i.imgur.com/VUOmk6t.jpg[/img] Would look so cool.

[QUOTE=cody8295;48781751]Tesla needs to start working on a FCEV[/QUOTE] Elon hates fuel cell cars. Tesla will never make anything other than a battery electric. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_e7rA4fBAo[/media] (skip to 10:20)

The front trunk on the Model X is also really big. [IMG]http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=95755&d=1443421068[/IMG]

[QUOTE=OvB;48781813]Elon hates fuel cell cars. Tesla will never make anything other than a battery electric. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_e7rA4fBAo[/media] (skip to 10:20)[/QUOTE] Sounds like he hates hydrogen FCs. I wonder if tesla would ever consider other types

It's nice to see that my city is making the news. The other day I saw a gallardo driving to the plant. I figure something big is going on there

[QUOTE=cody8295;48782120]Sounds like he hates hydrogen FCs. I wonder if tesla would ever consider other types[/QUOTE] I've got my doubts, it seems like they're sticking to electric because it's the most practical and probably also where all their R&D is at.

[QUOTE=OvB;48781813]Elon hates fuel cell cars. Tesla will never make anything other than a battery electric. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_e7rA4fBAo[/media] (skip to 10:20)[/QUOTE] Honestly - with my very limited knowledge of this field - I wouldn't be surprised if hydrogen fuel cells carved out a niche for itself. Depends hugely upon how batteries develop, though.

Wait so the forward doors are doors and the rear doors are full wings?

[QUOTE=Sableye;48782810]Wait so the forward doors are doors and the rear doors are full wings?[/QUOTE] The front doors are regular ol' doors. The back doors are what Tesla calls a "Falcon wing" door. It's basically a double-hinged gullwing. [img]http://i.imgur.com/xAFJSck.jpg[/img] Contrary to popular belief, doors like this and even DeLorean gullwings can open in tight spots better than standard doors. [img]http://i.imgur.com/dKBg75U.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/pR2UIQz.gif[/img] Tesla claims this will make egress into the second and third rows much easier. The doors also open and close automatically, and have obstacle radars so they won't smash into things they're going to hit/your ceiling. Tesla also [I]promises[/I] they will open in most standard garages.

[b]Cons:[/b] Obviously makes a roof rack impossible, and it's unsure whether or not snow/water will fall down from the top rim if you're opening them in the rain/snow. [editline]28th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=usaokay;48782893]Those look like the doors of a billionaire.[/QUOTE] Doors of the triple comma club, for a single comma club price!

Elon musk for president! :D

[QUOTE=apierce1289;48782945]Elon musk for president! :D[/QUOTE] Can't. He's African. He's an [I]immigrant[/I]

Yes. I accept Elon Musk as my lord and saviour.

What's the difference between the Model S and Model X that's worth $40,000 more according to the price estimate? Source just called it "bells and whistles."

Something tells me the luxury backseat was sort of aimed at the Asian market. Like buicks made in china are not the same as ones made for the US, their backseats are full of gadgets and buttons because nobody drives if they can afford not to

[QUOTE=WitheredGryphon;48783319]What's the difference between the Model S and Model X that's worth $40,000 more according to the price estimate? Source just called it "bells and whistles."[/QUOTE] Maybe if you google image both you'll see they're completely different.

[QUOTE=WitheredGryphon;48783319]What's the difference between the Model S and Model X that's worth $40,000 more according to the price estimate? Source just called it "bells and whistles."[/QUOTE] SUVs and CUVs always have a price markup even if they're basically just a normal car on jacked up suspension (i.e. Chevrolet Trax vs Chevrolet Sonic)

Too bad these are fucking crossovers and look like shit :\

[QUOTE=Saber15;48783339]SUVs and CUVs always have a price markup even if they're basically just a normal car on jacked up suspension (i.e. Chevrolet Trax vs Chevrolet Sonic)[/QUOTE] So it's mainly an aesthetic thing then? [QUOTE=MatheusMCardoso;48783330]Maybe if you google image both you'll see they're completely different.[/QUOTE] No need to be a dick about it. It said "bells and whistles" so I thought there were some clearly unique better features in one that weren't in the other.

[QUOTE=MatheusMCardoso;48783330]Maybe if you google image both you'll see they're completely different.[/QUOTE] It's based on the Model S architecture and shares 30% of its parts with the Model S. For comparison, the first generation Saab 9-3 shared a similar number of parts with Chevrolet Cavalier. [editline]28th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=WitheredGryphon;48783362]So it's mainly an aesthetic thing then? [/QUOTE] It's a bit larger on the inside and has some other benefits befitting a larger car like a third row that doesn't require you to chop off your legs (or sit backwards, as with the Model S), but yes it's not too dissimilar to the Model S.

[QUOTE=WitheredGryphon;48783319]What's the difference between the Model S and Model X that's worth $40,000 more according to the price estimate? Source just called it "bells and whistles."[/QUOTE] Signature models are only available for a limited time at the start of the announcement. They offer options and trims/colors that won't be available again. The consumer market Model X will be less than the Signature by quite a margin. Basically, the Signature and the even more limited [I]Founders Series[/I] are special production run vehicles for early adopters. It also has a little pinstripe of the word "Signature" to let everyone know you bought a $100,000+ dollar car before it was built, from a tiny silicon valley start up with no guaranteed future. [editline]28th September 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Saber15;48783367]It's based on the Model S architecture and shares 30% of its parts with the Model S. For comparison, the first generation Saab 9-3 shared a similar number of parts with Chevrolet Cavalier. [editline]28th September 2015[/editline] It's a bit larger on the inside and has some other benefits befitting a larger car like a third row that doesn't require you to chop off your legs (or sit backwards, as with the Model S), but yes it's not too dissimilar to the Model S.[/QUOTE] We'll know tomorrow what the major differences are. Obviously one is a hatchback sedan, the other is a CUV with Falcon wing doors. Model X has different headlights, slightly different interior trimming, optional bucket-seats in the second row, a windshield that extends all the way to the B-pillar, and can tow trailers. About as similar/different as any other Sedan/SUV of similar luxury from other brands.

[QUOTE=OvB;48783386]Signature models are only available for a limited time at the start of the announcement. They offer options and trims/colors that won't be available again. The consumer market Model X will be less than the Signature by quite a margin. Basically, the Signature and the even more limited [I]Founders Series[/I] are special production run vehicles for early adopters. It also has a little pinstripe of the word "Signature" to let everyone know you bought a $100,000+ dollar car before it was built, from a tiny silicon valley start up with no guaranteed future.[/QUOTE] Ah, gotcha. The white Model X in the OP looks sweet enough as is imo :v: Will probably end up buying one in the next couple years since it looks like a solid car as well (from the mpg, charge, etc.)

[QUOTE=WitheredGryphon;48783319]What's the difference between the Model S and Model X that's worth $40,000 more according to the price estimate? Source just called it "bells and whistles."[/QUOTE] The Signature series is rare and includes every option you can get. The base Model X is only $5k more than the base Model S.

[QUOTE=cody8295;48782120]Sounds like he hates hydrogen FCs. I wonder if tesla would ever consider other types[/QUOTE] Hydrogen is a stupid fuel for cars. You can either get it through fracking, in which case you aren't saving the environment at all, or you can use an immense amount of energy to get it out of water. (The same amount of energy in a battery would drive a car further)

[QUOTE=Zeke129;48783517]Hydrogen is a stupid fuel for cars. You can either get it through fracking, in which case you aren't saving the environment at all, or you can use an immense amount of energy to get it out of water. (The same amount of energy in a battery would drive a car further)[/QUOTE]Well it wouldn't be stupid at all if we were mining asteroids, then you can get it in bulk which is proooobably going to be something in the coming decades. Unfortunately we're not that far into a super cool science fiction world yet, so it's a dumb way to power anything outside of really niche uses. Would be real bitchin' if we had miniaturized thorium-fueled nuclear reactors though, something small and safe enough to power a car and has absolutely no proliferation risks. (aside from a dirty bomb, but let's face it, if you had access to a bunch of old scrap CT machines you could do the same shit anyway) Unfortunately that whole "ooh spooky nuclear stuff!!!" thing is a massive barrier, and the technical challenges of a small nuclear reactor that's both durable and light enough to be in a car while providing adequate power are very real. I don't remember who's doing it, but I think there is a group specifically researching in this area but mainly for electrical power generation in isolated or poor communities. I'd have to look it up again, but they did a paper about automotive use being one of the potential applications of a miniaturized thorium-fueled reactor.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;48783517]Hydrogen is a stupid fuel for cars. You can either get it through fracking, in which case you aren't saving the environment at all, or you can use an immense amount of energy to get it out of water. (The same amount of energy in a battery would drive a car further)[/QUOTE] I watched the vid but thanks for the subtitles. I wonder how zinc or borohydride fc's would work in cars

[QUOTE=Zeke129;48783517]Hydrogen is a stupid fuel for cars. You can either get it through fracking, in which case you aren't saving the environment at all, or you can use an immense amount of energy to get it out of water. (The same amount of energy in a battery would drive a car further)[/QUOTE] Hydrogen may not make much sense economically in the long run, but it is nice to manufacturers and consumers because you can run it out of a regular gasoline-burning engine with only a few modifications, which largely consists of some more durable parts and a different carburetor/fuel injection system. It would be about 50% more expensive than an gasoline ICE but otherwise would require little R&D and can use existing tooling (a MAJOR cost saver) We've been able to make hydrogen burning engines since we've been making cars; UCLA modified a Gremlin with a Ford V8 to run off a hydrogen bottle in the trunk, and it really only took a modified carburetor from a propane engine. Gave it a ~160 mile range.

Gullwing doors for the backseats of a crossover? That personally looks absolutely terrible. Without the gullwings it would look nice but something about it is just [I]bad.[/I]