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Tesla Unveils the Model X
An anonymous reader writes with news that Tesla has officially unveiled its Model X SUV. It's their third vehicle, after the Roadster and Model S. Its 90kWh battery provides 250 miles of range, and the vehicle can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. According to Reuters, the high-end versions of the Model X will cost between $132,000 and $144,000, while the base model's pricing is not yet known. The vehicle's doors open upward, and it can have seating for either six or seven passengers, depending on layout. The back row of seats can fold down when not in use. The Model X has automatic emergency braking, a 5,000 pound towing capacity, and a so-called "bioweapon defense mode" for its air circulation system that keeps positive pressure within the cabin.
on their Civics.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
One of the things I found very interesting about the video release is the idea that they put sensors in the falcon wing doors that would alter the rate and angle the two pivot points used to open the doors. I had wondered how they were going to prevent what would have probably ended up being expensive damage if the available opening space around the car was either too low or too close. You have to hand it to Tesla, they really do think about how things should work before they rush in and execute. If they put the same kind of design effort into the Model C, they are going to knock it out of the park.
I am not interested in articles about life extension advancements.
What if the bioweapon is released from within the vehicle... from say, a butt? Is there a defense mode for that that any other vehicle wouldn't already have?
They're planning on selling a $35K model in around 2-3 years, after their battery factory opens.
Meanwhile, there's no shortage of demand for the existing models.
I remember seeing my first flat screen TV in a high end electronics showroom back in 1997. I don't remember the exact size or price, but it was at least 50" and over $20k. I thought it was ridiculous that someone would pay that much for a TV and that I'd never be able to afford one. Walmart has a 50" LED TV that's probably has better technical specs in every way for $300 on their website.
New technology is always expensive for the early adopters. But after that new technology is a generation or two old, newer revised generations is often drastically cheaper.
The term generally is halo car. In the past this has meant a car that was expensive when the company had inexpensive vehicles too, as the expensive one attracted attention and people would buy the cars they could actually afford.
I think they're trying to drive demand and pay for the development costs first, then once they've gotten manufacturing capacity and the technology developed, then they can afford to produce less expensive cars. Perhaps they're right, all other upstart electric car companies have failed when trying the bottom-up approach, maybe the top-down method will work better.
The other aspect to consider is the projected lifespan of these vehicles. I admit I don't know what it actually is, but if they're following a model like the Toyota Landcruiser, which for the bulk of its models was intended to have a 25 year lifespan even when used for its intended rough purpose. If the Teslas are intended to have similar lifespans but as road-going vehicles will see many more miles driven than an off-road Landcruiser, then the price for the vehicles might be as ridiculous as it seems at first.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
Back when "The Millionaire Next Door" was written, the author included data from a survey that said the most common car driven by millionaires at that time was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I think the next most common was a Ford F-150.
But there are a lot of misconceptions about millionaires (people with a net worth of > $1 million). Most are self-made, most are entrepreneurs, most are worth in the single digit millions, etc.
But the overall theme was, these aren't the people you see out there flaunting wealth. Those people are usually not worth anything. People who are really building wealth are not the conspicuous consumers.
To defend against the SUV or Volkswagen diesel car driving in front of you.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Positive cabin pressure. So you can drive it under water right?
Well, one time. Sure.
Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
They just can't win with you guys. Here is a US carmaker, hiring US manufacturing workers, and hiring US factory builders, and US factory worker insurance agents, and US building maintenance workers and US building construction workers... And US robot installers, and US salespeople and US car insurance people and US SuperCharger construction workers and US auto engineers and US marketing workers and on and on.
All these non-rich, non-douche workers are taking piles of money away from the "douche"-class. Exactly what will it take to make you happy? You should wish the cars were selling out at 10X the price, to take 10X as much of the cash away from the evil "douche"-class buyers.
Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
Such over-design tends to spectacularly and expensively fail as cars get older or get into accidents.
Not really a relevant concern when you are talking about a $100K+ vehicle. A bit of exuberant design is expected to justify the price tag. I'm guessing you aren't really into the luxury car market much.
With multiple hinges, sensors, control units that all could potentially fail, you will end up with a used car without functioning doors. Who wants that? On other hand, simple hinge just keep working.
Yes but simple isn't necessarily interesting. Nobody buys a supercar because they want simple basic transportation. They want a bit of panache, otherwise there is no point.
So you think, "I will lease for 4 years, and will never see these problems". Well, resale value is affected by reliability, and as a result costs of these failures will be baked into your lease costs.
Buying a car like this is not a decision driven by expected resale value. You buy a car like this because you have the disposable income and you want to own one.
They've been planning on selling a cheaper model in 2-3 years for 2-3 years.
Exactly.
I went to a lot of trouble to replace my 1990 Supra which was rear ended by cop (after I had enjoyed it for 18 years) I found one, rebuilt the engine, redesigned and milled, myself, replacements for almost every rotating part in the gear box, and am enjoying my daily commute a lot more than when I was doing it in a 460hp car that costs five times as much as what I've put in my 'new' old Supra.
Money spent on something that you enjoy is money well spent. Some people spent their cash on boats, others wears $10,000 watches, and even have walls covered by bookshelves holding comic books.
If all you care is about saving every dollar you make, you have a sad life. If you do have a hobby, I am sure that you can find people who think as little of it as you think of those of us who enjoy driving.
This said, I've driven a friend's Tesla for a few days, and although it can leave every car of mine in the dust, I did not particularly enjoy it. He had my Supra for these few days, and I think he enjoyed the experience more. Different strokes for different folks, though. His wife thinks that using a 30 years old I6 is a crime against Nature.
No good deed goes unpunished...