Model 3 Fascia (Solved!)

The Tesla Model 3 is the first car I can think of that I think actually looks better with the front tag (plate) on.

I like Tesla's quite a bit. The Type S is lovely and the Model 3 while not as striking has some nice lines, but I just can't seem to work my eyes around the nose. 

It looks like they thought. "Well we're trying to make this one cheaper so that'll do..."

Adding the front plate seems to make it ok!!  LOL. Cheap fix.

My dad, replaced his 165k mile model S, with new 3. Although 3s design doesnt speak to me, his has a front plate. Agree with your assessment, just not my cup of tea. 

There are aftermarket vinyl applica grills for the Model 3

Sample 

Huh. I’ll be the dissenting vote. Not only do I like the look, I like the idea of “GRILLE!? WE DON’T NEED NO STEENKING GRILLE!!! Aerodynamics FTW!”

My $.02 I get how it could be a “love or hate” thing.

I'm with Poopy. It doesn't need a grille just because we are used to seeing them on every other car. It is different and deserves to look like it.

I like the OE look. 

my abarth does not have a grill.. I do not see the need to add one

Model 3's don't look bad at all in real life, even without a front plate.  The lack of a grill seems to be more obvious in pictures.

Although I do kinda like Option 2.  Makes it look sort of Ford-ish.

I'm considering the Model 3 as an option to replace the FoRS when, hopefully a long time in the future, it wears out.

Option John Welsh said:

There are aftermarket vinyl applica grills for the Model 3

Sample 

Option 1, reminds me of the Fisker 

I like that it doesnt have a grille, I just wish they would have used that freedom to make it pretty instead of ugly.  

In reply to pinchvalve :

Agreed. I find them mis-proportioned and ungainly in the styling department. It's like they made it look strange to make sure it didn't look like a Camry or an Accord, but they didn't have to make it ugly.

A grille isn't necessary, but the Model 3 seems to be designed to make everyone notice that it doesn't have a grille.  I think they could have come up with a better looking design.

I'm a fan of the grilles. Sorry. 

stuart in mn said:

A grille isn't necessary, but the Model 3 seems to be designed to make everyone notice that it doesn't have a grille.  I think they could have come up with a better looking design.

All I can think of when I see the Model 3 front fascia:

In reply to poopshovel again :

In reply to Jumper K Balls (Trent) :

Agreed on both. I like how Tesla's look "Just car enough" to blend in, but just different enough to make someone say "Oh!".

almost as if they wanted us to hmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMM

Needs a push bar like what you might get on a P71 at auction time.  

NASCAR style grille decals might come into vogue on these things. Get the look of a grille if you wish, and retain the aerodynamic benefits of no opening. Tesla owners wouldn't balk at $129.99, plus S&H. I'll make millions !

stuart in mn said:

A grille isn't necessary, but the Model 3 seems to be designed to make everyone notice that it doesn't have a grille.  I think they could have come up with a better looking design.

This. I find it fundamentally inelegant. But if they aren't going to do something interesting, given how serious people take their Teslas (I'm fan btw) I'd like someone to stick some sort of "dumb hick" graphic up there: 

They certainly look goofy in real life.  Maybe not as goofy as every Lexus built in the last few years, but goofy still.

Edit for clarity:  The nose looks goofy...

In reply to Streetwiseguy :

Interesting. I think that Tesla's done a very good job on the styling front. I'm not a big fan of the X, and their interiors have a cold aspect, but goofy  isn't at all an adjective that I'd use.

It's not that there's no grille, plenty of cars look fine with minimal/no grill. Most corvettes, the newest crop of Acuras, and the BMW i3 all are grilleless. The problem is that Tesla left a big void to make you expect a grille, but didn't give you one. It's very "uncanny valley". 

Has anyone done a "rust" wrap on a Tesla yet ?

There are so many white Model 3s around here you need something unique to find your car in the parking lot !