VW ID.3

[Laconian]

The model 3 did it quite poorly though by having a very grille shaped outline where a grille should be. I know they were making a statement of sorts, but I don't think it looks good.

Yep, they did it far better in the 90's. I'm guessing that outline is there for pedestrian crash regs.

[AltinD]

Tesla ditched the grille but still manages to find air for cooling

No it doesn't. Drive one fast, or try repeat starts, and they shut off because of overheating.

[afty]

No it doesn't. Drive one fast, or try repeat starts, and they shut off because of overheating.

Don't think this is true for the 3.  The 3 Performance has Track Mode to keep things cool and repeatable.  The S does have overheating problems, but not the 3 to my knowledge.

For example, https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-performance-31-hard-launches-video/ and https://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2019/tesla-model-3-performance-track-mode-release-version-review/

[cawimmer430]

For me the "traditional air-intake grille" is up there with putting fake exhaust on a E-car. That is one of the things Tesla, and Porsche got right, and Audi got wrong imo.

Now, Porsche does deserve criticism for using the turbo moniker.

From a design POV I think putting a fake grille on EVs can add to their acceptance. We're used to seeing cars with a grille. I think part of what turns people off from EVs (aside from the current drawbacks of price, range, charging time and potential battery replacement costs) is the lack of a grille; it makes the car not look like a traditional car, or makes it look too futuristic.

I also don't have a problem with EVs having fake exhausts. That's actually cool and gimmicky - in a funky way. 

[cawimmer430]

And lots of ICE cars went grill-free too for years. That doesn't change whether or not a grille could be functional, and it very well could be.

Some of them even looked cool in their day! 










And some didn't. 

[Laconian]

[Laconian]

From a design POV I think putting a fake grille on EVs can add to their acceptance. We're used to seeing cars with a grille. I think part of what turns people off from EVs (aside from the current drawbacks of price, range, charging time and potential battery replacement costs) is the lack of a grille; it makes the car not look like a traditional car, or makes it look too futuristic.

I also don't have a problem with EVs having fake exhausts. That's actually cool and gimmicky - in a funky way. 

I dunno, I would like to see electric cars do more with the flexibility afforded by the powertrain.

[veeman]

I don't think the exterior design is that good but starting at < 30,000 Euros which is $33,000 for an electric  car with that range is a good deal. I think it'll sell very well. 

[cawimmer430]

I don't think the exterior design is that good but starting at < 30,000 Euros which is $33,000 for an electric  car with that range is a good deal. I think it'll sell very well. 

IIRC it already has something like 45,000 pre-orders.

[cawimmer430]

I dunno, I would like to see electric cars do more with the flexibility afforded by the powertrain.

[Laconian]

Dude, that artist should draw shit for Google. Such beautiful Material Design(TM)

[cawimmer430]

Dude, that artist should draw shit for Google. Such beautiful Material Design(TM)

But in all honesty, I don't like where the design for EV cars is going. They're either:

1) Wacky

2) Ugly

3) Too Futuristic

Or

4) Have Weird Proportions


I like the Renault Zoe and the Honda E. Those are the best-looking mainstream EVs IMO.

The rest of the EV designs which I really like are all concepts that will probably never see the light of day. And if they do they may be toned down.

So aside from the Audi e-Tron GT, I also like the Bentley EXP 100 GT and the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Coupe/Convertible.

[Soup DeVille]

Bring on the weird. We need weird.

[cawimmer430]

Bring on the weird. We need weird.

Weird yes, but not bland and ugly.

[Laconian]

Weird yes, but not bland and ugly.

Imagine an electric Citroen DS. Tiny low hood, but so beautiful. Dump the wheezy unremarkable ICE and you'd have a much better car IMO.

[cawimmer430]

Imagine an electric Citroen DS. Tiny low hood, but so beautiful. Dump the wheezy unremarkable ICE and you'd have a much better car IMO.

I rode in a 1972 DS23 Pallas many years ago. The engine wasn't really that buzzy in normal driving situations. I'm part of the "I like the ICE sound!" crowd.