Quick Photochop of Model 3 front end. 

"nucciOMG" (nucciOMG) 04/01/2016 at 11:20 • Filed to: None

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Okay, the the Model 3... I like it. But there is something off about the front. To me it looks like there was a grille at some point, that was just smoothed over.

So here are 2 quick, VERY VERY quick photochops.

With basic grille:

And one with the up turned nose, turned down (por que?!) looking a little more... Porsche-y.

Again pretty bad photoshops, but I’m at work damnit.

And with all that said... I still want one.

Nibby > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:21

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Nice Focus bro

nucciOMG > Nibby 04/01/2016 at 11:22

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Yupp! Focus with Corvette headlights?

Autohaus Derp > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:25

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The second one looks like a huge improvement to me!

Rainbow > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:26

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I think that shape is going to be their trademark design feature. It does look odd, but I think it will actually be improved by front license plates... But only in international markets. The North American/Japanese/Australian plates will look really awkward there.

In guessing there will be an aftermarket bumper without the bulge made available by someone.

Shmevans > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:26

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Yes, that second one. The filled in space for the grille seems weird to me but that second version you made looks like what should have happened. Mind you, being an Aero Eng, I know the wind tunnel can tell you to do some crazy things in the pursuit of mpg’s or in this case, range.

Gone > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:28

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#2 is nice! Now fix that interior lol.

Master Cylinder > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:28

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I like the grille-free version better. Tesla should get of the vestigial grille outline thing and do something like that.

Doug DeMuro > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:29

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IMO Tesla went grille-less because they’re setting a trend here. You may think it’s ugly now but that’s just because you aren’t used to it. Mark my words — everyone is going to copy it because the “cool guys” are doing it.

Saracen > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:33

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I’m already over the front end of the car. It looks fine.

S65 > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:34

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I Like The Second One.

Tareim - V8 powered > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:38

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if it had to be no grille then the 2nd option is great, the current model 3 looks like it has a thick upper lip and is ugly to me

Mattbob > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 11:43

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I totally just photoshopped this model 3 in mspaint

BigBlock440 > Doug DeMuro 04/01/2016 at 11:47

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It’s not the grill-lessnes that’s the problem, it’s that it’s still there, but not there. As many of others have mentioned, there are plenty of examples of essentially grill-less cars done right. None of them are Tesla’s though.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 12:04

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I prefer the rounded-nose one. A grille on an electric car is goofy. Kinda like a big spoiler on a FWD car. No function.

BigBlock440 > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 12:10

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Electric cars also generate heat, heat that needs to be removed. If there was no need to cool an electric, the Model S wouldn’t have such a huge radiator.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > BigBlock440 04/01/2016 at 12:21

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Counterpoint: Kia Soul EV

BigBlock440 > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 12:26

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VW Beetle.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > BigBlock440 04/01/2016 at 12:30

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Wait what's your point? The 3 doesn't have a grille anyways.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 12:32

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To be clear I don't mind the lower grille, just no need for a big grille up top too.

BigBlock440 > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 12:41

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My point is that electric cars still need to be cooled. They have just as much use for a grill as ICE cars do. The more power generated, the more heat needs to be evacuated. The low-powered Soul EV and Beetle can get away with air cooling, the higher powered cars still need liquid cooling.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > BigBlock440 04/01/2016 at 12:55

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Well of course they need cooling. But even the grilles on ICE cars are artificially huge (see: Audi, Hyundai, Lexus, ...). EVs clearly don’t need that large of a grille as made clear by the 3. My original opinion was that EVs need normal-sized (in this stage of automotive design even “normal” grilles are bigger than they need to be) grilles no more than FWD vehicles need a rear wing to produce downforce to non-drive wheels.

nucciOMG > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 13:53

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I agree, and I couldnt agree more* with them for NOT having a grille, I’m just saying, smooth it out.

edited: leaving words out and shit making myself sound like a fool.

nucciOMG > Rainbow 04/01/2016 at 13:54

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Thats a good point, I didn’t think about the license plate. That will help.

nucciOMG > Doug DeMuro 04/01/2016 at 13:55

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BigBig440 hit the nail on the head.

nucciOMG > Shmevans 04/01/2016 at 13:57

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As an Aero Eng- is there anyway, anyway at all that the front of the real Model 3 could be beneficial?

Shmevans > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 14:10

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Its hard to say but yeah there could be. I mean depending on the targets you are looking to achieve making something with lift (as opposed to downforce) at cruising speeds might reduce rolling resistance and increase range so who knows what their reasons were. I’m guessing they were simplicity and maintaining the brand identity they’ve build with previous models.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > nucciOMG 04/01/2016 at 14:13

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Exactly. No me gusta the shark nose.

BigBlock440 > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 14:18

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I don’t disagree that most cars have artificially large grilles, I disagree with the assertion that electrics don’t need grilles or cooling, and that the way Tesla’s doing it is the way it has to be. Maybe you didn’t mean that, but many people do.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > BigBlock440 04/01/2016 at 14:32

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Yeah, what I CAN say with confidence is that I’m glad that Tesla is making EVs that look like...you know...normal cars rather than this:

BigBlock440 > Bourbon&JellyBeans 04/01/2016 at 14:40

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Absolutely.