I'm not sure if the design aspects of this VW are due to improved aerodynamics, or a desire to make something look "futuristic". Striving for this look actually makes it feel out-of-date.
That's an enormous improvement on all other production cars. Which is why it uses " 8.3 horsepower to maintain [60 mph]— one-third that of a Jetta"
Of course, they don't mention the frontal area, which is just as important and yet never referenced in these discussions.
See, the Insight was too weird and too much of a compromise (2 seater, stickshift), so even though it got 70MPG in the 90's, it never took off. Nor did the first generation Prius, which looks exactly like an ordinary car. Then the second generation comes along, which is much like an ordinary car but has a distinctive look that says "Look at me! I'm driving a Prius!" and it sold like hotcakes.
My conclusion is essentially that people were uninterested in hybrids, unless the hybrid was recognizable as such to act as a social signal, yet did not compromise on any of the functionality of a regular car. So in summary, the Tesla does these things- it has a distinctive look, enough to signal "Look at me! I drive a Tesla!" while still being very close to an ordinary car.
I was a fan of the original Insight... the real-world MPG was actually around 38 IIRC. There were a couple gas-only cars with better MPGs and fewer compromises (i.e. back seats).
> I think trying to make an electric car that looks just like any other car would be a mistake
Additionally: the Chevy Volt. The pre-production cars looked amazingly futuristic, and the production car looks like every other Chevy. The incredibly boring appearance is, honestly, one of the things that lowered my interest in the car.
With respect to sexy styling, they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. I agree that Tesla threaded that needle almost perfectly.
It looks like a hot car. Not only is it functionally awesome, it looks awesome. This is a car that people would want to not only drive but be seen driving.
Let's be honest, most people will buy a car based on how it looks. Sure, fuel economy, size, utility, and how it fits you lifestyle all matter, but if there's 2 cars that are somewhat the same but one looks better to the purchaser they are most likely going to buy the car that looks the best. Sometimes even if it doesn't have everything they need.
I don't need a Tesla Model S but I would buy one if I had the disposable income. I don't need a Dodge Challenger but I'd buy one if I had the disposable income. Both of those vehicles I find hot.
But I think this car looks like all the next gen VWs will look like. We will get used to it.