[sciencegeek]

Screenshots from the launch just now. Discuss.

 

[sgtpeper]

It's priced incredibly well, the 7 seat arrangement will win some over. It also has better performance (on paper) than our IPaces.

While the build quality will be off, the tech will blow our cars out of the water.

 

[bruintoo]

It still looks like an egg, a shrunken Model X. This is what most people wanted instead of the falcon wing doors. Frankly, I think Tesla body designs are getting boring. It's going through Audi's "Matryoshka" design phase.

 

[Time2Roll]

I hope Model Y sells well. Looks like a great car. Still way prefer the I-Pace even with the quirks and limitations.

 

[McRat]

It looks like a Model X after you wash it the first time in hot water.

I was thinking they would have done a shooting brake / station wagon.

The Model Y looks dated before it's release date.

 

[jsimon7777]

I think it's ugly. How will they fit 7 seats in there? The interior looks horrid. That said, maybe it won't suck. Maybe.

 

[dennis]

It looked great in person. There was a white one on static display and they were doing test rides in the blue one that was on stage. The pricing is very aggressive

 

[McRat]

It's priced incredibly well, the 7 seat arrangement will win some over. It also has better performance (on paper) than our IPaces.

While the build quality will be off, the tech will blow our cars out of the water.

I have no idea if a Model Y will hold 7 adults. I have a hunch it would not be my choice for that purpose, unless it's bigger inside than the Model X. Note, the 2 added seats aren't free.
If you do have a larger family, minivans are the way to go. There's even one that runs on electricity for most of it's duties. Or real SUVs seat up to 9. Or is that 10? I think it back down to 9 adults now for the Suburban.

Note that there is a EREV minivan that seats 7 adults, has power doors on both sides, dual rear HDTVs, leather, etc, for $45k before $10k worth of EV incentives in California. THAT's a kidmobile. Until you played with removing kiddyseats through passenger doors, you never really understand why minivans exist.

As far as performance goes, take your I-Pace to an AutoX or a track. You don't have to bother to prep the car or have Team Tesla engineers to assist. It's certainly one of the best handling heavy cars ever sold, I'd put it up with the CTS-V. Certainly a step up from the Model S. It's acceleration is where you need it most, in the passing zone of 30-70mph. It pulls strong to ~122, then the limiter gently derates the power until it caps at 127 mph per my GPS. While it's very well behaved, the I-Pace is actually more car than most people are trained to handle. Which is OK, it is very forgiving.

As far as it's tech blowing away the I-Pace, we will see. Tech is more than Easter Eggs and 'Cowbells'. It's ergonomics, chassis tuning, adaptability, packaging, and how everything is integrated. An I-Pace has more usable interior room than a Model 3, yet it's an inch shorter. And the I-Pace has advanced low-traction abilities that no Tesla offers. Does Tesla even offer a dynamic suspension system (dampening changes based on road conditions) yet? I can't think of a MFR that doesn't today. There is a reason the Jaguar 'feels' good in a bumpy corner, and it's called technology.

 

[epirali]

It's priced incredibly well, the 7 seat arrangement will win some over. It also has better performance (on paper) than our IPaces.

While the build quality will be off, the tech will blow our cars out of the water.

It may be faster in straight line but outside of the Roadster no Tesla handles and “feels” anywhere near the I Pace. So if measure of performance is just straight line sure. The rest of the drive feel is just off on Teslas.

Also some tech is cool, but not having CarPlay, and a tablet play UI is not my idea of “better tech.” Forgething the lag the one simple temperature control knob is better use of “tech” than the entire giant tablet of the Tesla design.

BTW anyone notice this was the first announcement where it really kind of disappeared? It hasn’t gotten that much play outside of the obvious target sites.

 

[Mister Dave]

I'm curious to know why Tesla reveals "new" things on dark stages.

This is mostly indistinguishable from the last two cars. I don't think CUV when looking at it either, any more than a X has me thinking SUV.

 

[Mister Dave]

Deliveries are expected to begin in Fall 2020 for Model Y Performance, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive variants, and Spring 2021 for the $39,000 Model Y Standard Range.

 

[Mister Dave]

Business channel (not anti-Tesla CNBC) is reporting that the word "underwhelming" is being used a lot, and TSLA is down ~4.5% in early trading.

Speaking for myself, I was underwhelmed after watching the video of the event just now. 6 people did get out after it rolled on stage. One tripped on something climbing from the 3rd row.

 

[Mister Dave]

28 minutes in the Y rolls out. Less than 6 minutes later it was over.

Not sure what was up with those weird kicks 19 seconds in.

Edit: The height-challenged girl didn't trip getting out - my mistake. It was just a long hop for her. I notice that both 3rd row passengers were height-challenged.

 

[Calidave]

Bubble-head Model 3 variant. yawn.

 

[dennis]

It may be faster in straight line but outside of the Roadster no Tesla handles and “feels” anywhere near the I Pace.

I did the AutoCross in the iPace at the Jaguar Electrifies event. Had the third best time of the day up to that point. It handles very well for a big sedan.

Tesla has made a huge improvement in handling over the Model S with the Model 3 Performance. They wrote their own Vehicle Dynamics Control software so they have more control over torque vectoring and nanny interference. Track Mode is amazing. My son often uses it on the street because he loves the way it makes the car feel. Normal mode handles better than the two M5's I used to own.

 

[Mister Dave]

Bubble-head Model 3 variant. yawn.

Probably the Model 3 they should have built in the first place. Now it's just another size version of the same flavor.

Torque vectoring et al isn't something the commuter would have much use for.

Not having a tailpipe is the real advantage here.

 

[sflgator]

Looks like a larger, taller Model 3 and same plain-jane, boring interior. Performance specs are good as we expected; just like the Model 3 BUT again, it still seems to me that the Model Y is at a lower level in terms of looks, build quality, and interior design. I wish Tesla would do a complete redesign of their interiors and more people like me would consider their vehicles. I will be waiting for the new Porsche and Audi EV's coming in 2020 and beyond...thinking one of those German EVs will be my next EV when I'm ready to trade in my I-Pace.

 

[McRat]

I did the AutoCross in the iPace at the Jaguar Electrifies event. Had the third best time of the day up to that point. It handles very well for a big sedan.

Tesla has made a huge improvement in handling over the Model S with the Model 3 Performance. They wrote their own Vehicle Dynamics Control software so they have more control over torque vectoring and nanny interference. Track Mode is amazing. My son often uses it on the street because he loves the way it makes the car feel. Normal mode handles better than the two M5's I used to own.

I did an open Autocross event against ICE cars. In the rain, with the baby sitters off, riding on All Season 20"s. For the first three laps, I had the best time. Even with 3 adults in the car, I had one of the top scores before I left.
All companies write their own code for SC.
Tesla engineers did tailor the program for a modified Model 3P with a professional racer at the wheel at Willow(?). The tuned the car for the track, tires, brakes, suspension, and Randy Pobst's driving style.
They actually rode shotgun to make the suggested changes on the fly to suit Randy. Then they topped off the battery, pre-cooled the car, and he went out to set his low lap time.

With the original factory tuning, Randy went off-course and IIRC, hurt the car. That's when Tesla organized a special event to erase that day. I believe he said something about the car doing spooky things when he first ran it.

 

[Calidave]

I wish Tesla would do a complete redesign of their interiors and more people like me would consider their vehicles. I will be waiting for the new Porsche and Audi EV's coming in 2020 and beyond...thinking one of those German EVs will be my next EV when I'm ready to trade in my I-Pace.

Very much agree that the next few years are going to be very exciting for EVs (outside of Tesla, it seems). Eagerly await developments from VW Group and Kia-Hyundai.


Also, very much look forward to refined and updated I-Pace! In the next few years we could see SW kinks resolved, improved range, true OTA updates, etc. All while others are just starting production . . .

 

[dennis]

Tesla engineers did tailor the program for a modified Model 3P with a professional racer at the wheel at Willow(?). The tuned the car for the track, tires, brakes, suspension, and Randy Pobst's driving style.

In addition to the fine tuning with Randy Pinst Tesla did a ton of track development work. My son's friend who is a test driver for Tesla spent two weeks at Thunderhill Raceway as well as time at Willow.

When the Roadster 2 was first shown I was skeptical about Tesla focusing on anything except straight line performance. I doubted their ability to get the handling on par with my benchmark which is the McLaren 720S. With what they have delivered with the 3P and Track Mode I am now much more optimistic.