We are about two months away from the unveiling of the Model 3, Tesla’s upcoming mass market car, and we can hardly wait. In the meantime, we can only make educated guesses on what the car will look like, but renderings from amateur designers can also help us imagine it.
We gathered some of our favorite renderings and sketches below to try to figure out which ones could end up looking similar to the final product.
Tesla is developing a new platform and battery architecture for the Model 3 and plans to release the Model Y on the same platform. While the Model 3 is expected to be a small sedan, the Y is believed to be a crossover, perhaps with ‘Falcon Wing’ doors like the Model X. It’s not clear if the Model 3 and Model Y will be unveiled at the same time.
But as far as the design goes, it’s anyone’s best guess at this point. Tesla CEO Elon Musk first said that it will “not look like any other car”, but he also said that Tesla might be more conservative with the design.
Let’s get started:
McHoffa’s Model 3
Based on Musk’s  comment the Model 3 will be about 20% smaller than the Model S, a popular theory is that the Model 3 will also look like a shorter Model S. McHoffa on TMC published this design which represents the theory. He also added covers for the rear wheels on the second picture because, as Electrek reported, Tesla is considering some extreme aerodynamic details to bring the CD down to 0.20.
Stumpf Studio’s Model 3
Designer James Stumpf shared what he envisions the Model 3 could look like. It might look a little too much like a crossover to be a sedan Model 3, and in my opinion, it’s too much of a “weirdmobile” for Tesla.
But Stumpf gets points for using three horizontal lines instead of vertical ones to make the “3” in “Model 3”.
JODRY’s Model 3
This rendering from illustrator/writer Julien Jodry (@JJODRY) is one of my favorite. It’s similar to Easy Charge’s sketches you will see below. I think a similar design with the Model X’s front end and suicide doors would make for an amazing looking Model 3.
Theophilus Chin’s Model 3 hatchback
We don’t have any indication that neither the Model 3 or Model Y could be a hatchback, but after the wagon version of the Model S getting so much praise, I thought I would slip-in this design by Theophilus Chin. What do you think?
Easy Charge’s Model 3 sketches
Charging station maker Easy Charge took the opportunity to sketch the Model 3 while showing its charger design. Like I said, it is reminiscent of Jodry’s design seen above, which is probably my favorite. I hope the real thing will look similar, but maybe with more aerodynamic details.
roow110’s Model 3
We have a smaller Model S by McHoffa and now a small Model S/X fusion to make a Model 3 by roow110 on TMC. If Tesla was to stick with its design line, roow’s render would be a safe bet for the Model 3, but I’m not so sure based on Musk’s comments.
Let us know which one you think will resemble the final product:
Bonus:
Model (compact) by Unknown Designer
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I am very well aware that the model three will be a competing with the Audi a4’s and bmw 3’s of the world, but I would buy a compact car from Tesla in a heartbeat!
I now drive a small 1liter gasoline car, but a car with similar dimensions to a Renault Zoe or Opel Adam, with acceptable range and charging capabilities (that doesn’t require renting the damn batteries) and it will be a winner in cities! Certainly with car sharing services who have reserved parking spots and could easily put plenty of chargers in place. (In Belgium there’s the service cambio.be)
Anyway, enough dreaming, let’s hope we get a gorgeous model 3 with plenty of range at the promised price point! I’ll probably reserve one anyway! 😉
I sincerely hope it doesn’t look like any of these. If it has a rear wheel cover, I’ll save up for a model S instead.
for me its: Function >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Form
For 98% of car buyer it’s: Appearance >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anything else
My guesses, based on the assumption that aerodynamics are high priority:
1. Rear wheels covered with transparent plexiglass (doesn’t look as ugly as McHoffa’s proposal)
2. Aero-wheels, something like what were available for Model s before
3. Long aerodynamic rear
Theo Chin FTW. BTW, he recently uploaded a different version of the model 3 on his site.
Covered wheels? No way.
Based on information about drag coefficient and Elon Musk announcement car will “not look like other cars” and knowing Tesla ingenuity, I would say that ALL WHEELS will be covered. This would allow Tesla to place small, thin, lighweight and cheap wheels.
Hmmm …. Turning should be fun!
Fully agreed BEP! He doesn’t want to design a car, but design one that sells! Look at the model S. So no worries for covered wheels, is my opinion.
You forgot the best one! Theophilis Chin’s non-hatchback:
http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=6898
“more conservative with the design”?? I’d read just the opposite – more radical styling for the 3 vs the deliberately conservative shape of the S.
How the heck do you change a flat in the rear with those wheel covers? If the panels are removable, you’d need a lock and key to prevent theft. Man, I’d love Jodry’s rendering to be true, but I’m sure it won’t be. Additonally, I hope the interior space is great than the Bimmer 3’s.
My guess:
Size: Audi A3 / BMW 3 / Ford Focus
Hopefully a station variant (wagon)
and no mirrors for the 0.2 coefficient.
-B
Many more variations here: http://teslamondo.com/2015/09/05/what-model-iii-will-totally-look-like/
I like JORDY’s and Easy Charge’s Model 3, but roow110’s looks comfortable for family car with high drag coefficient.
Every single rendering has a “radiator” grille. The model 3, and the refreshed S certainly will not. It will have the same design language as the front end of the X.
Don’t we already know that it will look like something in this territory?
http://d2odvx3v4cbpyu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Tesla-Model-3-Clay-Proto-1024×640.png
No photoshop expert, but using the clay model posted by TP, and a Model S over top to the exact same proportions, I get this:
http://i.imgur.com/2M4PQK6.jpg
Not bad looking. I’d be happy with this or Jodry’s. My biggest question will be if I can take my front wheel off my bike and shove the whole thing in the trunk like I do with my ancient Camry.
Julian Jordy’s offering is just a photoshop of the ford evos concept.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQGdQh6UYAAZJ81.jpg