Model 3 Deep Dive Video From Model 3 Owners Club

Trevor Page of the Model 3 Owners Club contacted us here at CleanTechnica a few days ago to say he and YouTube co-host Kenneth Bokor had secured the use of a Tesla Model 3 for two days. They were free to drive the car, probe its intricate bits inside and out, photograph it, take videos, and measure things. They sent over a 1 hour and 10 minute video of the details. The only restriction put on us was that we could not share the video or embed it into a story until after Tesla announced that regular production of the Model 3 had officially begun. Naturally, we agreed to Trevor’s terms and conditions.

Well, we haven’t yet seen word of Model 3 regular production beginning, but we have gotten approval to share the video and write about it. Check out the video below, and read our reflections and summaries in this article and two coming articles from Kyle Field and Zach Shahan.

If you have a Model 3 on order or are thinking of reserving one, Trevor’s video is the most comprehensive and accurate source of information about the car available to date, unless you actually having one parked in your own driveway. Trevor and Ken began at the front of the car and detailed every part of it inside and out all the way to the back bumper.

They took careful measurements, tested all the controls, measured interior dimensions, sat in the seats, and stared out at the outside world through the panoramic glass roof. They even took video footage of the underside of the car. Basically, they looked in every nook and crannie and captured it all in high definition.

For our report, we have broken the story down into three sections. The first (this one) deals with the exterior and some of the interior of the car. Next, Kyle will walk you through some more of the interior details and the intricacies of the touchscreen. Then, Zachary will cover some remaining exterior + interior notes as well as the ride & drive portion of the Model 3 video.

The first bit of news is that the LED headlights (@2:34) have the bulbs recessed into the top of the housing and reflecting forward via a mirror. Interesting. Later in the video, Trev and Ken show how the headlight alignment can be adjusted by the owner from the touchscreen.

The front fascia of the car sits about 8 inches above the pavement and has aerodynamically designed air ducts built in to direct cooling air to the front brakes (@3:15). Then the lads move on to reveal the cleverly disguised roof rack attachment points (@3:36) and windshield wipers (@4:26), including the washer jets incorporated into the wiper arms.

Over the next 60 seconds, they go into detail about how the outside and inside door latches work. The electronic door poppers are conveniently mounted high in the armrests, but there is a mechanical pull embedded in each arm rest to open the doors from the inside in the event of a power failure. All interior surfaces are covered in soft synthetic Alcantara suede.

At the 9:30 mark, Trevor and Ken dig into the dimensions of the trunk, which measures 42 inches wide and 19 inches high at the rear crossbar. The trunk depth to the back of the rear seats is 42 inches. The lads were easily able to stow several suitcases in there, plus there is room for a medium-size duffel back under the floor.

The trunk lid itself employs a clever double hinge to lift it clear of the car for easy loading and gas struts on either side to support it. With the seatbacks down, Trevor was able to fit his 5’ 11” frame between the back of the front seats and the trunk lid, so Tesla camping is a definite possibility.

At the 16:15 mark, the video focuses on the frunk, which measures 34 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and about 10 inches high. Trevor notes that it seems big enough to handle a typical airline carry-on bag. Also inside the frunk is a tow hook for use in emergencies. It threads into a receiver hidden behind a cover built into the front bumper cover.

For those who live in states or countries that require a front license plate, Tesla provides a plastic panel that comes with special adhesive tape from 3M. Peel and stick it to the front of the car, wait 30 seconds, attach the plate to the predrilled holes, and you’re good to go.

The charging port for the Model 3 (@19:27) is hidden behind the side clearance light at the left rear corner of the car. It opens and closes from the key fob or via an app and will close itself about 30 seconds after the charging cable is removed.

Next, Trevor and Ken turn their attention (@20:00) to the soft covers that hide the lug nuts. The spring-loaded items pop off and on easily. The bolt pattern of the wheels is 5 X 115 mm. At 20:45, the boys film the underside of the car, which is remarkably free of protrusions and obstructions in order to smooth airflow under the vehicle for maximum aero efficiency.

That’s it for Part 1 of the Model 3 Owners Club video reveal. Next up, Kyle will take you for a guided tour of the the interior and the magical touchscreen that defines the inside appearance of the Model 3. Take it away, Kyle!

Is The Nissan iMx Midsize Electric SUV More Than Just A Grown Up LEAF?

Thesis: midsize SUVs are the hottest things in the new car market worldwide. Antithesis: Auto manufacturers want to sell lots of electric cars. Synthesis: Build an electric SUV. D’uh. So why is no one giving customers what they want? Tis a conundrum. Even the High Priest of electric cars, Elon Musk, failed to notice that the sedan is out and the midsize SUV is in. Instead of wasting two years getting the gargantuan Model X off the ground, he should have been going full speed ahead on the Model Y. Oh, well. Live and learn.

At the Tokyo auto show going on this week, Nissan has the iMx midsize electric SUV on its stand. It’s what everyone is looking for — compact size, dual motors with 429 horsepower combined, 516 pound-feet of torque, all wheel drive, and most importantly, 372 miles of all electric range. That’s according to the more than generous Japanese test cycle. Knock off about a third to get an idea what the EPA range would probably be. The iM part of the name stands for Intelligent Mobility, the technology that Nissan says will allow fully autonomous driving, self parking, and vehicle to grid connectivity that can help power a home or stabilize the local electrical grid.

So, is the iMx just a grown up version of the Nissan LEAF? No, not really. It is built on a new, dedicated electric vehicle chassis that will by the foundation for most of the 12 new electric cars chairman Carlos Ghosn says will arrive from Nissan by 2022. Other than some technology bits, it shares nothing with the LEAF. It is roughly the size of a current Nissan Rogue.

In self driving mode, the pedals and steering wheel tuck out of the way to increase the room available to the driver. The seats tilt back for a more comfortable ride and the cabin will be filled with soothing lights to help the occupants relax.

The interior features a wraparound panoramic OLED instrument panel. The seats have 3D printed components and feature laser etched stitching. Switches and knobs are largely absent, with most functions being carried out by hand gestures and eye movements, as well as spoken commands. Frankly, that makes more sense than the fussy touchscreens that Tesla owners adore but which require drivers to take their eyes off the road frequently. Of course, in a world where self driving cars are the norm, none of that will matter.

How much does the iMx prototype resemble an actual production car? Not that much, which is fortunate because the concept is butt ugly, especially with the jet fighter from the 50’s air intakes that start at the front and extend rearward along the car’s flanks. Before the second generation Nissan LEAF was revealed, the company showed the world an equally awkward IDS Concept. Most of the extreme elements of that concept did not make it into production, thankfully.

All of today’s concept cars feature rear doors hinged at the back but no major manufacturer yet has had the courage to actually produce a car with so-called suicide doors. Even the Porsche Mission E will lose its rear hinged doors when production begins, leaving it looking more like a Dodge Charger than a trend setting electric sports sedan from Stuttgart.

When will Nissan actually build an electric SUV and what will it look like? No one knows and the ones who do aren’t saying.

Source: CNET RoadShow

Tesla Factory In Shanghai Confirmed

After months of speculation, it’s now official. According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Tesla will build its first factory outside the US in the free trade zone outside Shanghai, China. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say the factory will be Tesla’s first factory in  China. If the market for electric cars continues to soar, as Chinese officials hope it will, there could be other Tesla factories in China in the future.

The news was widely anticipated. What was not known until now is that Tesla will be the sole owner of the factory. Until now, China has required all foreign manufacturers to partner with a Chinese company before building a factory within the country. Tesla will be the first to take advantage of the new policy.

But — there’s always a “but”, isn’t there? — not having a local partner means the cars produced in China will still be subject to the same 25% tariff that applies to all cars imported into China. Tesla apparently feels that not sharing its technology with a local company is worth more than avoiding the 25% fee would be. The question now is whether other manufacturers will follow Tesla’s lead and build factories in China without a local partner.

Tesla has declined multiple requests from the global media to comment on the Wall Street Journal story, leaving us to ponder its last official statement on the matter from back in June:

“Tesla is working with the Shanghai Municipal Government to explore the possibility of establishing a manufacturing facility in the region to serve the Chinese market. As we’ve said before, we expect to more clearly define our plans for production in China by the end of the year. Tesla is deeply committed to the Chinese market, and we continue to evaluate potential manufacturing sites around the globe to serve the local markets. While we expect most of our production to remain in the US, we do need to establish local factories to ensure affordability for the markets they serve.”

Tesla watchers expect Tesla will announce that it will build a factory in Europe shortly, as it advances its plan to rule the automobile marketplace in coming years.

Source: TechCrunch

Tesla Model 3 Owners Get No Free Supercharger Access

Originally, all Tesla owners were entitled to use the company’s Supercharger network of fast chargers free. Roll in, charge up, roll out any old time and as often as you like. After a few years, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced during an earnings call that Superchargers were intended for those travelling away from home and not for daily use. There was some dark muttering from the Tesla faithful, but life soon got back to normal.

Recently, Tesla announced new owners would be eligible for up to 400 kWh of free charging a year — enough to drive about 1,000 miles, although certain cars purchased through the company’s owner referral program still qualified for a lifetime of free Supercharger access.

And what about the Model 3? How much free Supercharger time would its owners be entitled to? Tesla never really said much about that. But a few of those cars are out driving around on public roads now and the answer appears to be “none.” As in “not any.” That’s according to Model 3 owner PTFI, who tweeted about his recent experience using the Tesla Supercharger located at the popular Harris Ranch facility located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

17 Oct

David Garcia Lista @GachRCD

Replying to @CalvinKlesmith and 2 others

The same 400 free in the Model 3?

 Follow

PTFI @TheRealPTFI

Model 3 owners don’t get ANY free Supercharging...Period pic.twitter.com/7fzMabompA

11:11 AM - Oct 17, 2017

•  2222 Replies
 
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The amount charged for electricity at a Supercharger facility is fixed in each state in the US. The customer is charged for each minute of use and the rate varies according to the state of charge of the battery in the car at the time. In PTFI’s case, the 43 kWh of electricity used is enough to drive about 170 miles.

For comparison purposes, a conventional car that gets 25 miles per gallon would need roughly 7 gallons of gasoline to go the same distance. Assuming a price of $3.00 a gallon (Californians tend to pay more for gas than the rest of Americans), that works out to $21.00 to travel the same distance — nearly three times the cost of electricity.

So don’t be too disappointed if you are a Tesla Model 3 owner waiting for your car to be delivered. Your cost of electricity will still be much less than your neighbor with that gasmobile will pay for fuel. Plus, every mile you drive will be emissions free. The icing on the cake is that Tesla is committed to getting the electricity for its Supercharger locations from the greenest source available in the area. Eventually, the company intends for all of them to be solar powered.

Some may carp that Tesla should have been more forthcoming with its Model 3 customers. Finding out about the change from a Tweet instead of directly from the company does not reflect well on Tesla’s customer relations policies.

But Tesla continues to expand its Supercharger network aggressively. Owners in North America have access to many more fast chargers than drivers of any other electric car. So weep if you must for the end of the Tesla free charging era, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go drive your Model 3 with pride knowing you own the most coveted automobile on the planet.

Source: Teslarati

600 HP Hybrid Super Car: Polestar 1 Revealed

Earlier today, Polestar launched its very first model. It’s called the Polestar 1, and it is a real statement of intent that Polestar will be taking the fight directly to Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG.

Putting cars like the Tesla Model S, BMW’s 6 series, and Mercedes-Benz’ S class squarely in its crosshairs is a bold move. Polestar is seems to have the goods, though, packing 600 electrified horsepower and nearly 740 lb-ft of torque into a lightweight carbon body shell and putting that power to the ground via all four wheels.

Acceleration, according to Polestar, should be on par with other cars in its class, even as its 90 mile all-electric range will set it apart from the German gas-guzzlers. The Volvo-derived, 2.0 liter four-cylinder gas engine under the long hood, meanwhile, sets the Polestar 1 apart from Tesla’s EV-only options. Options which- much as Tesla fans might wish to deny it- still induce range-anxiety in the general public’s mind.

You get ZERO points for guessing that I’m going to get some comments from the “Ew- internal combustion! Tesla will build 400,000 cars next year!” crowd. LOL!

Anyway- in addition to the Polestar 1 hybrid, the company also announced the shape its next two models would likely take. Those will be both more accessible than the flagship Polestar 1- which, itself, will only be offered through an innovative subscription program to prevent buyers from “flipping” the extremely rare cars- and fully electric. In fact, ALL future Polestar models will be EVs. The Polestar 2 will reach volume production in 2019, and is expected to be based on Volvo’s next-generation S60 model. Next, Polestar plans a larger, SUV-style EV that will be called Polestar 3, which will likely use the Geely SPA platform that underpins both Lynk & Co. and Volvo XC60 SUVs.

While you wait for those, check out 31 official press photos and the official Polestar press release, below. Of course, we fully expect to hear what you think of this new brand/model in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Have fun- and play nice!

Polestar Unveils its First Car – the Polestar 1 – and Reveals its Vision to be the New Electric Performance Brand

 

Polestar 1 brakes

Polestar Unveils its First Car – the Polestar 1 – and Reveals its Vision to be the New Electric Performance Brand

Polestar, Volvo Car Group’s performance brand, has today revealed its future as a new standalone electric performance brand. Polestar confirmed plans for its first three models, a new purpose-built production facility in China and a customer-focussed route to market that will set a new industry benchmark for performance vehicles.

Polestar also unveiled the 600hp Polestar 1, the company’s first car, which is set to roll off the production line in mid-2019. Polestar’s technology and product offering benefits from synergies and economies of scale enabled by the Volvo Car Group, helping Polestar to accelerate design, development and production processes at fraction of the time it takes other new entrants.

Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar said; “Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. A beautiful GT with amazing technology packed into it – a great start for our new Polestar brand. All future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain, delivering on our brand vision of being the new standalone electric performance brand”.

Polestar 1 in Black

The Polestar 1 will form a halo for the future Polestar brand. The Polestar 1 is a two-door, 2+2 seat Grand Tourer Coupé with an ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ drivetrain. An electric car supported by an internal combustion engine, it has a range of 150kms on pure electric power alone – the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market. Its output of 600hp and 1000Nm of torque places the car firmly in the performance car segment.

The Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% is new and bespoke, created by Polestar’s engineers. To reinforce its dynamic driving characteristics, Polestar 1 benefits from a host of new technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver’s car. Polestar 1 is the world’s first car to be fitted with the all-new class-leading Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. A carbon fibre body reduces bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the cars’ centre of gravity. Additionally, Polestar 1 uses a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to keep the maximum road grip and maintain speed while cornering.

The Polestar 1 will be built in the state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018.

Polestar will also move away from today’s traditional ownership model. Cars will be ordered 100% online and offered on a two or three year subscription basis. The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription will also add features such as pick-up and delivery servicing and the ability to rent alternative vehicles within the Volvo and Polestar range, all incorporated into one monthly payment.

The flat rate subscription means that having a Polestar car becomes a hassle free experience for the customer. This is facilitated by Phone-As-Key technology. It allows the owner to share a virtual key with a third party, and also enables access to a host of other on-demand features. This concierge service ensures that the customer only needs to focus on the enjoyment of driving.

All future cars from Polestar will have a fully electric powertrain. Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group. It will be a mid-sized BEV, joining the competition around the Tesla Model 3, and with consequently higher volumes than Polestar 1. The initial phase of the Polestar product roll out will then be completed by the subsequent arrival of a larger SUV-style BEV, the Polestar 3, which will create a modern expression of electric performance and driving dynamics.

The ordering and configuration of Polestar cars will be conducted online via a Polestar app or online portal. However, Polestar also recognises that customers still want to physically engage with the brand so Polestar will open a network of Polestar Spaces around the world. This is where future Polestar customers can interact with products and the brand. Polestar Spaces will be standalone facilities and not within existing Volvo retailer showrooms.

The order books for the new Polestar 1 open on 17 October 2017, with Polestar able to take expressions of interest from prospective customers immediately.

Source | Images: Volvo Cars.

Yamaha Teases Motoroid Electric Motorcycle AI for Tokyo

Yamaha first announced its intentions to launch an all-electric, 2-wheeled ecosystem for years– and it’s taken several steps to deliver on its promise. Its electric eVino scooter is already here, and the PES1 proved Yamaha is serious about developing a lightweight bike platform to compete in the 125-250cc ranges. Now, Yamaha is teasing the next step in its electric reinvention: the Motoroid.

Yamaha’s two-wheeled electric motorcycle concept bike will- according to the company- inspire a feeling of true connection between bike and rider, but the model is more “it’s a pony!” than “Robotech Cyclone”. Even so, people like their horses, so bike being able to interact with its human owner could, maybe, generate a genuine bond (on the human’s part, at least). And …

Well, that’s it, really. All Yamaha has given out, so far, is the pictures you see here- which feature a Bimota Tesi type suspension– and the following statement: In order to bring people new experiences of Kando,* this experimental machine employs artificial intelligence and explores the feasibility of concepts for creating new forms of personal mobility in which the rider resonates harmoniously with machine. MOTOROiD’s development concept was an “Unleashed Prototype,” and it is capable of recognizing its owner and interacting in other capacities like a living creature. By undertaking these kinds of development challenges, Yamaha is aiming to acquire technology for creating new value for our customers.

Make of that what you will, I guess. In the meantime, check out the pictures of this electric motorcycle cyberpet hybrid thingy, below, and check back again after the Tokyo Motor Show launch on October 27th.

Yamaha Metroid | 2017 Tokyo Auto Show

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Source | Images: Yamaha, via Asphalt and Rubber.

Zero Motorcycles Launches 2018 Lineup — Quicker, Longer, Harder!

Today Zero Motorcycles released their 2018 models. While they don’t look much different from the 2017’s on the outside (except the gorgeous new silver paint!), it’s what’s inside that counts. Like- 10% longer range thanks to new battery chemistry on all ZF7.2 and ZF14.4 models! Zero is also offering quick charging-6 times faster, thanks to the 6kW charge tank accessory for S, SR, DS, and DSR models.

That torque, though…

From Zero: All motorcycles with the compact and lighter weight ZF7.2 power pack offer 11% more rear wheel torque to slingshot ahead of cars and fellow motorcyclists. New gearing and a higher maximum motor rpm deliver the improved performance without any reductions in top speed.In addition, Zero fine tuned the powertrains of the ZF13.0 Zero S and Zero DS to deliver up to 30% more power and torque to amp up acceleration at highway speeds. 

I can’t WAIT to see what kind of trouble I can get into on an S with 30% more torque. Even an FXS with only 11% more torque will be amazing. My 2013 FX(S) still delights me with every launch off a light. Plus Firmware updates can now come through the already awesome Zero app. If you don’t already know, the Zero phone app not only works as a supplemental dash, but also enables the rider to manage torque settings, regenerative braking, and top speed. As well as track battery use, of course.

It’s great to see they’re continuing to push battery capacity forward, while also continuing to improve the quality of their components. And the prices are the same as 2017. We’ll have more as the models become available for press demos. And after I replace my 2013 Zero FX(S) with a 2018 Zero FXS. If I can keep the front wheel down long enough to write about it. Find out more about the 2018 lineup here. 

Even amateurs can resemble real stunt riders on the Zero FXS!

Red sticker? Green sticker? We don’t need no stinkin’ stickers!

Riding into the future

Yes, you can still pollute all you want on an electric motorcycle. As long as you’ve got a good tire budget.

The Charge Tank. All photos in this story courtesy of Zero Motorcycles.

The 2018 Zero S