Official Tesla Model 3 thread

[GRA]

I'm not a fan of center-mounted displays, although the Mini's always had one (you could order an optional instrument package to get standard ones on at least some of the BMW generations). I expect I could get used to it, but why should I have to, when the traditional arrangement works so well? One thing's for sure, as long as I can buy a car that has actual physical controls for HVAC and radio etc., I will choose it rather than one with a touchscreen that requires me to look away from the road and takes far more time to use.

I've got nothing against high-tech per se, as long as it improves on what preceded it - touch screens don't, when used by a driver while driving. If someone can design voice-activated controls that are as quick and easy to use as a physical control, I'd have no problem with that, but the second a control requires me to look away from the road and re-focus on some non-intuitive control that requires far more mental cycles to process than a simple twist/push/slide knob, I'm not interested. At least, not until I'm in a car that has autonomous driving capability I trust, and we're still several years away from that.

[lpickup]

Amen GRA!

[jlv]

Look...I agree that if anything, the center display and lack of a traditional binnacle will be a drawback for some. But I think you are really stretching the argument that it is directly comparable to a Yaris.

Exactly! Thank you!

On Telsa's other models, the LCD display behind the steering wheel not only has the speedometer but also other important status, like the current AutoPilot status (lane detection, other cars, etc). Test drive an S to see how useful this is. Losing access to that valuable information is what concerns me about the 3.

[ranss12]

The next time you're driving, try to be aware of how often you check your speedometer. Today I drove the 12 miles from Bloomfield to Canandaigua and after I got there I realized I had not once looked at the speedo. And I think that might be fairly typical…typically we drive with the flow of traffic. On the interstates I always set the cruise control about 5 mph above the speed limit. I almost never look at the speedometer. This whole "speedo in the center' thing is an overblown concern.

[GRA]

It's not just the speedo, it's the whole group of instruments in the same place, straight ahead of me, which can all be accessed by a single quick scan. Even better would be a HUD focused at infinity, but those remain too expensive for the mass market.

For much the same reason, I'm not a big fan of purely digital presentations for info that usually doesn't need that sort of precision - analog presentation (needles on dials, tapes etc.) which all line up when in the normal range are generally preferred, which is why aircraft HUDs generally offer both presentations (heading, altitude, speed etc.) simultaneously, with the digital ones smaller for those rare occasions when you need that level of accuracy. It takes more mental processing cycles to read a digital number than it does an analog position relative to an index mark.

[edatoakrun]

...Even better would be a HUD focused at infinity, but those remain too expensive for the mass market...

Not for long.

Reportedly the ICEV version coming next month, and available next year as a BEV:

Hyundai Kona Electric

A lot of new ICEV Kona images and news out today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfufKBD ... e=youtu.be

Gallery:

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/05/exclus ... -kona.html

Hyundai Kona: more detail shown ahead of June debut

....the Kona will get a head-up display - a first for Hyundai - with class leading display quality, the brand claims. A Hyundai spokesman was unable to confirm whether the system would be standard somewhere in the range or an optional extra, but it's likely that it'll feature only on higher-end models...

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new- ... june-debut

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=24027&hilit=kona

HUD Also in I-PACE, likely to be priced close to the 3 (when the Tesla is equipped with larger "75 kWh" battery back, and when available later, AWD).

Jaguar I-PACE BESUV available 2018

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22545&start=20

[GetOffYourGas]

I'm one of those who actually loves to drive a car. My commute is short, so that's a non-issue. But I love to get behind the wheel and venture out into the Finger Lakes, or the Adirondacks, and enjoy the open road.

Of the upcoming sub-$40k long range EVs, the Model 3 is built to be the most enjoyable to drive. Compared to all the rest of the crop, the Model 3 is low-slung (hugs the road), wide (grips the corners), RWD, and powerful. It is also good looking, which is just a bonus I guess. And yet, the interior is designed for autopilot. Letting a machine drive is the antithesis of building a fun car which connects the driver to the road. And it's that juxtaposition which irks me the most about the Model 3's interior design.

Why build a Sports Sedan and then design it to drive itself?

[palmermd]

...

Why build a Sports Sedan and then design it to drive itself?

First of all, you don't have to engage autopilot when you drive, so it should be a non issue for you. Secondly, it does not drive itself, it has an advanced driver assistance system. On a long boring trip where you are not out for the joy of the drive, the assistance is nice to have.

[EVDRIVER]

The Model 3 has no center consul because the philosophy in the design of this car is to move completely away from the direct need for these controls and data, the move is to go full self driving or HEAVILY assisted. This is why there is no center instrumentation and the move will merge to less and less. This is the direction of these vehicles, moving the market in this direction in form and function. Voice will also take a more predominant role. If you don't like this then the 3 may not be for you now. The new S will also be a very different car. Many people think the 3 is the latest tech over the S but it is not, there are more changes coming but it all is under the primary vail of driverless vehicles.

[edatoakrun]

...

Why build a Sports Sedan and then design it to drive itself?

...it does not drive itself, it has an advanced driver assistance system...

As its latest disingenuous claim for "autopilot" equipped BEVs, it look's like TSLA may be floating:

Tesla Model S, 3 Comparison Sheet Now With Pricing Information

"Full Self-Driving Capability"

http://insideevs.com/tesla-model-s-3-co ... formation/

When BEVS are fully autonomous, whether that is five years in the future or fifteen, they will of course not look anything like any Tesla model produced to date, or that will be in the next few years.