The overall design of the upcoming sedan, the Tesla Model 3, from the American electric carmaker, has been well received by motoring enthusiasts especially when they spotted a number of prototypes of the vehicle as of late having their test runs in Fremont, Califonia mostly.
But the downsides of the criticisms are centered mostly on the trunk and the front fascia of the Tesla Model 3.
The criticism on the trunk had something to do with space or the lack of it but the front fascia issue is a bit more controversial.
In fact, Jim Cantrell, the former space strategist of Tesla Motors Corporation, has called the front fascia of the Tesla Model 3 as a faceless fish.
Though it is nothing controversial per se, but it is certainly unconventional and is certainly better than the grille or nosecone design of the Model S, notes Electrek.
It is possible that Tesla Model 3 is intentionally showing to the public and critics its prototypes in order to feel out the reception of the market so that when the vehicle finally comes out in the second half of next year, it is more or less perfect and suited to the needs of the market.
It is possible that Tesla may eventually make some changes on its controversial trunk and front fascia too but everything at this point is speculation.
However, there are reports that an update to the front fascia of the Model 3 could be on the drawing board to make it look more like the Model S and the upcoming Model X SUV.
It can be recalled that Tesla has unveiled the Model S refresh just a few weeks after the company officially unveiled the Model 3, which means that Tesla can make the adjustments if necessary.
That’s in addition to the fact that the new design has brought more homogeneity to Tesla designs, which may not be the company’s goal for all future models.
Going head-to-head with the Model 3
While Tesla Motors Corporation is confident that its Model 3 can take the US market with only a minor competition in the Chevy Volt, it was not expecting to encounter rough sailing in the UK and in Europe.
But the company thought or projected wrong as it appears that the competition in the UK and in Europe shall come from the German luxury carmaker BMW, no less, notes The Christian Science Monitor.
Apparently, BMW shall soon be offering the i3 electric minicar as well as the pricey i8 sports coupe with its sexy bird wing doors. The company shall also be introducing an all-electric compact crossover vehicle, likely called as the i5, in 2018 or 2019.
In addition, a new 3-Series is expected to be unveiled in 2018 as the maker renews its core model every seven years like clockwork. The new model will include an all-electric version to be introduced after the main array of gasoline and diesel versions.
New modular underpinnings
Codenamed G20, the new 3-Series will move to an all-new set of modular underpinnings, known as the Cluster Architecture or CLAR.
It is the same platform which brought in carbon-fiber construction techniques to the BMW 7 Series when it was introduced in the car earlier this year.
The next-generation all-electric BMW 3 Series shall come out as the limousine’s smaller brother while keeping the same elements and aesthetics intact.
Reports also have it that the all-electric BMW 3 Series shall have a battery pack of 90 kWh to fit on the CLAR platform, which would make it comparable to the energy capacity of Tesla’s current model line the Model S, and the up and coming Model X SUV. It would also be much higher than that of the Model 3, which packs a 60 kWh battery.
Want REAL ugly? Look at Lexus LF-NX
Now, I’m not a journalist, so forgive me if there’s some arcane journalistic technique that I’ve missed here, but:
If I was going to write an article about the front grille of a vehicle that included a picture of said vehicle – I know this sounds crazy – I’d probably use a picture that was taken at such an angle that I was able to see the front grille.
The Tesla haters, including this author, want to see a radiator in front like always. I think Mush should offer a $5,000 radiator to be mounted in front of the car, rather like am old Rolls. I am very sorry that the Model S (and other models) do not need a radiator, but there you have it.
I would also remind the author that the average final design-to-production cycle for GM is 7-10 years, of Ford, 5-8 years, of Mercedes 5 years. Tesla is ramping up production faster than any car in history except in time of war.
“The criticism on the trunk had something to do with space or the lack of it but the front fascia issue is a bit more controversial.”
I don’t think it’s controversial. Controversy would imply equally large camps like and don’t like it. Nobody likes it.