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Auto Design Notes on the Tesla X SUV

By Ed Stubbs - October 25, 2016

in Cars

This is the first in a series of bi-weekly posts dedicated to examining design details in new vehicles.

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Tesla's march into new segments continues. The model X follows the S with larger than typical proportions, and takes a high ground-clearance package of an SUV, and combines it with a sedan / hatch profile.

1) Second outing for Tesla's new corporate nose. The smaller intake graphic reflects the lack of traditional radiator requirement with the electric powertrain and raises the question of how we expect to recognise brands.

2) Aerodynamic function drive the design language: a softly curved cabin profile, calm surfacing - everything says "smooth."

3) There are three rows of seats here, and the sloping roofline means that the cabin space has to come from somewhere - in this case the bodyside surfacing is deep, and fives the X a 'big-boned' volume.

4) Falcon-wing doors are unique, solving the challenge of accessing row-3 seating along with parking lot squeezes. European garage heights might be an issue...

5) Black lower-body cladding, the favourite trick of the crossover, is seen here, primarily to disguise the bukl of the body above the wheels, but also adds an air of ruggedness.

Result
An unusual proportion for a car of unusual ability, the X enters a market inhabited by BMW's X6, Mercedes GLE, and latterly Infiniti's FX. The design of the X is unique among its peers with a soft yet precise feel, and a calming character, that goes against the grain of the more aggressive competition.

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Sean Horita

8 years ago

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Official photos tend to make the Model X look longer and lower than it really is. The surfacing is extremely well refined but even 'tricks' like black lower cladding and blacked-out pillars don't hide the odd proportions and 'fatness'. There's one I always look at during the morning school drop-offs and it looks like there's a lot of interior space...but no mistaking the proportions for something traditionally 'fast and agile'.

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Scott Showalter

8 years ago

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You forgot #6. Something about the optional extra two rear seats? 7 passenger vehicles are hot right now.

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- Ed Stubbs
  
  Scott Showalter
  
  8 years ago
  
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  Hi Scott, mentioned in #4!
  
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Miriam ahmed

8 years ago

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wow awesome

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williams beatrix

8 years ago

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wow! this is awsome!!!

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