Single Motor - "Positive Traction?"

[scottf200]

So, why would the single motor have less range?

Smaller pack

They could come up with a [SR] RWD and a LR RWD like they've done in other Tesla.

This could give them a 'lower' price point to try to sell more.

Rough table example from Gemini

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[mongo]

I understand that, however that’s not very good marketing, imho. I thought the current holy grail for range is 300+ miles.

That option exists as the AWD version. Look at the other spec changes like towing. Going to a single motor reduces capabilities so reducing weight is sort of needed.

 

[Willinak]

That option exists as the AWD version. Look at the other spec changes like towing. Going to a single motor reduces capabilities so reducing weight is sort of needed.

I’m going to predict the single won’t be a huge success. You give up too much for the $20k difference.

 

[boley]

I'm not quite sure how removing a single motor will bring the cost down though. Surely they wouldn't start producing a different battery pack, right?

Anyone know the replacement cost of the rear motor?

While the direct cost savings from needing fewer parts may be relatively small, the increase in revenue can be huge if it allows them to sell more trucks. More importantly, it will enable them to continue to charge a premium for the AWD and Beast even as they gain economies of scale across the entire product line. There are also indirect and long-term advantages to selling some, even at a loss to smooth out demand over time.

Besides the motor, there is a lot of supporting hardware. Based on various teardowns I've seen and my experience in auto manufacturing, my educated guess for savings for the RWD version would be $3K-5K, depending on volume. Even if they only make $5K profit on each RWD, it still adds to the bottom line, potentially sells another FSD subscription, and adds another family of customers who will never go back to ICE vehicles.

Also, though I'll never go back to only having a two-wheel drive (living through a few disasters will adjust your priorities), many people don't need or want AWD. Making them take an extra motor they don't want with a decrease in efficiency is a waste of resources. Plus, paying $10K-20K more for a vehicle is a deal breaker for many, if not most, people who would otherwise buy one.

 

[ABILISK]

I’m going to predict the single won’t be a huge success. You give up too much for the $20k difference.

For every Beast, there’s something like 4 or 5 AWDs. All those owners gave up the extras the Beast offered and saved $20K. I expect the same thing to happen when the RWD drops. Owners will save another $20K, saying a 6.5sec 0-60 is plenty fast for them, they don’t need more than a 250 mile range, don’t need to tow more than 7,500 lbs, etc.

 

[Willinak]

For every Beast, there’s something like 4 or 5 AWDs. All those owners gave up the extras the Beast offered and saved $20K. I expect the same thing to happen when the RWD drops. Owners will save another $20K, saying a 6.5sec 0-60 is plenty fast for them, they don’t need more than a 250 mile range, don’t need to tow more than 7,500 lbs, etc.

Just my opinion, ymmv.

 

[Mini2nut]

The big question. Will the RWD version MSRP for $60,990?

That was the posted MSRP before it was pulled from the website.

 

[JBee]

RWD

There's no way tesla is making a different slightly smaller battery pack.

They'll just software lock it if they want to squeeze more money out of it, like they've always done.

I hate software castrated products to push profits or arbitrary features.

If I buy I get to use.

It's fine to pay for software, like FSD, or only enable more battery capacity once you have some real world test data back, but disabling hardware is a big no-no in my book.

In the case of the RWD battery pack I believe they will keep the same pack, but just reduce the capacity by a notional 10-20miles just so that AWD drivers don't feel ripped off, but keep the same calculated Wh/mile consumption in RWD, which however will be a bit better than the AWD (no front drivetrain losses and mass), resulting in the same real range anyway...instead of a bit more than the AWD.

BTW does anyone have numbers showing the unusable CT battery capacity? Is it 10-15kWh?
Do we also have more recent model 4680 capacity numbers?

 

[Gaximus]

I'm not quite sure how removing a single motor will bring the cost down though. Surely they wouldn't start producing a different battery pack, right?

Anyone know the replacement cost of the rear motor?

I would bet, if price becomes a reason to produce a single motor version, then there would be a lot of changes. Non-cooling seats, no air suspension, non-powered frunk, maybe even no rear steering. They could get rid of a lot. All it needs is steer-by-wire, decent acceleration, and the shape.

 

[Mini2nut]

Agree. Tesla has a smorgasbord of features to choose from if they decide to de-content the RWD trim. Air suspension, RWS, heated and cooled seats, etc.

 

[ABILISK]

I would bet, if price becomes a reason to produce a single motor version, then there would be a lot of changes. Non-cooling seats, no air suspension, non-powered frunk, maybe even no rear steering. They could get rid of a lot. All it needs is steer-by-wire, decent acceleration, and the shape.

If they get rid of all that it better be that elusive $40K price. But I would think the $60K price would get you all of it, it’ll just be a little slower with a little less range.

 

[JBee]

Take everything out and make a $39,990 version like the original RWD? Can have two pls?

 

[eswimm]

Tesla's traction control is top notch. It seems reasonable to assume they'll keep the locker in the drive unit just to simplify production, but even if it's delivered with an open diff, I wouldn't be too concerned. An ICE has to deal with drive train lag and a combination of controlling wheel slip with the brakes and reducing power at the engine, but the instant feedback at the wheel and fine motor control in the Tesla and you won't even notice a wheel slipping before traction control kicks in.

 

[REM]

I would bet, if price becomes a reason to produce a single motor version, then there would be a lot of changes. Non-cooling seats, no air suspension, non-powered frunk, maybe even no rear steering. They could get rid of a lot. All it needs is steer-by-wire, decent acceleration, and the shape.

At a certain point you just gut the truck and remove the essence that makes it amazing.

We are currently sitting in the gray zone between mass market ownership and full autonomy (where individual ownership will absolutely plummet).

Also, the truck will eventually be both better than it is now and cheaper. Tesla has proven this over several products for several years.

 

[REM]

Agree. Tesla has a smorgasbord of features to choose from if they decide to de-content the RWD trim. Air suspension, RWS, heated and cooled seats, etc.

Tesla would have to create a new production line though, and they generally avoid this as much as possible as it's wasted a ton of resources.

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