If I weren't already an entire Tesla model behind, I'd worry about being a week late with a post about the awesomeness of the new, 7-passenger, Tesla Model X unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.
But as it stands, DT still needs a fanboi post on the Tesla Model S, which just turned up behind us in the preschool dropoff lane yesterday, and which is already being called the "Menlo Park Camry"? Is this true? Did I hear this right? We'll look into it.
Meanwhile, the Model X: an SUV/minivan/MPV where the middle row of seats apparently folds down into a surprisingly useful-looking ottoman of some kind? And where the "falcon-wing doors" allow full standing-height access to car seats and such?
And it's supposed to deliver in 2014? At some point, maybe by the time they actually produce and deliver their third awesome electric vehicle, we might just have to start believing Tesla exists. We must also resist calling their front luggage compartment a frunk.
Tesla Motors | Model X [teslamotors]
The Tesla Model X Is The Only Car In Detroit That Really Feels Like It's From The Future [jalopnik]
Tesla Model X | Hands-On, and images of the interior [engadget]
they've had it on their website for a while, and I've had my eye on it for some time now. unfortunately, you probably had to have your name on the waiting list a year or so ago to take delivery in 2014...
The Model S already seats seven, with rear-facing seats that put the kids feet in the trunk.
I love the Model S. It's a nearly perfect car. It's a car that aside from price and range issues (both unavoidable at this stage of electric vehicle development) would make nearly any buyer happy. I'm not sure about the Model X though. It's like they're trying to answer questions that nobody was asking. Does anyone want an ottoman in their car? People don't want to lounge around in their car. When they get we're they're going, they get out. (Chrysler learned this after trying out tables in their generation minivans.) And the packaging? Is that third row spacious at all. Doesn't look like it in the photos. Do those doors make any sense? They seem to require more space on the sides than a minivans sliding doors and more space above the roof than any car. What about the parking garage at the mall (I know they have a picture of the doors open in a garage on their site but that's got to be one of the taller garages). Did I mention that the Model S is beautiful and the Model X is pretty bland, at best? I hope this car isn't an expensive mistake for Tesla.
Does anyone want an ottoman in their car?
My mom does. She's one of those "feet on the dashboard" types you see driving down the highway. Whether she'll ride in the third row just so she can put her feet up less dangerously, though, remains to be seen.
Gotta make a move to a car
That's right for me
Car to keep me movin'
Keep me groovin' with some 'lectricity
Well, I talk about it, talk about it
Talk about it, talk about it
Talk about, talk about
Talk about movin'
Gotta move on
Gotta move on
Gotta move on
Won't you take me to
Frunkytown
Won't you take me to
Frunkytown
Won't you take me to
Frunkytown
Won't you take me to
Frunkytown
i'm dying for missing this.
The Model S is compelling. The Model X...eh. In addition to the issues that seth mentions, the one that they had on display at the Detroit Auto Show had a noticeable drop in the falcon doors, to the extent that I almost nailed it with my eye walking past. Full-standing access might have to come with a height disclaimer.
But, sorry, Menlo Park Camry? So funny, and yet so effective in completely gutting the car's cachet. I have heard a nickname so perfectly able to remove all of my desire for a car since I saw someone refer to the F-150 Raptor as a Brodozer.
LOL, +1 for Brodozer.
I had a brief phase, while still on the upper east side, where I wanted an F-150 SVT. Every one on eBay had under 2,000 miles and was being sold by some guy who just wanted you to take over the payments. If only YOLO had been invented at the time.