Tesla Model S coupe looks great but, sadly, it’s not real

By Stephen Edelstein May 9, 2013

How do you improve on the Tesla Model S’ signature good looks? Maybe by lopping two doors off.

That’s what self-styled “automotive manipulator” Theophilus Chin did, in Photoshop, that is. Chin apparently wasn’t satisfied with the Model S wagon he unveiled back in January.

The result is an all-electric two-door that still seats four and looks pretty good.

That’s not surprising, because the real Model S already has the makings of a coupe. It’s low roofline and classic long-hood, short-rear-deck proportions are part of the current styling trend of “four-door coupes,” or sedans with coupe-like profiles.

Taking two doors off further enhances those features. The long hood and muscular haunches give the virtual Model S coupe a hint of Aston Martin Vantage or Maserati GranTurismo.

Thanks to its flat battery pack and Porsche 911-like front trunk, the four-door Model S is actually quite roomy despite its low roofline. A coupe would be similarly spacious relative to other cars in its class.

In fact, the only drawback might be that this hypothetical Tesla conceals its electric powertrain too well.

Like the Model S sedan, the coupe is a slavish copy of popular automotive styling cues, but there’s nothing especially creative about it. It looks fantastic, but there’s nothing to mark it as the revolutionary car that it is.

Still, we’d consider buying a Model S coupe over a sedan if we could, and we probably wouldn’t be alone.

The Model S is roughly the same size as a BMW 5 Series, and starts in the middle of the 5’s price range. BMW offers a 5 Series coupe, the 6 Series, so why shouldn’t Tesla?

For now, the Model S coupe exists only in pixels, but if Tesla ever wants to expand its lineup, the coupe would be a logical choice.

What do you think of the Model S coupe’s styling? Tell us in the comments.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Volkswagen ID.4 vs Tesla Model Y

volkswagen id4 vs tesla model y 2021 id 4 blue charging

The electric car world is seriously heating up, with a number of high-end electric crossovers now available, albeit still at a higher price than comparable gas-powered cars. The Tesla Model Y is one of the first of these, offering the Tesla design, a high-tech software experience, and more. But another one of the older of these models is the Volkswagen ID.4, which was first released in 2021 and also offers among the better electric car experiences out there.

Can the ID.4 compete with one of the best-selling electric cars out there? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to compare between these two cars is design, and they take a slightly different approach.

Cars

Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Which electric sedan is best?

Front three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There are finally some more electric sedan options. For years, the Tesla Model 3 was really the only good electric sedan that comes at a reasonable price -- until, Hyundai recently launched the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 certainly takes some cues from the larger Ioniq 5, but is smaller and sleeker, with a design seemingly inspired by the Porsche 911.

But the Tesla Model 3 is still clearly an excellent option for those looking for an electric car, and who don't want a larger crossover. Which is better? Here's a look.
Design
The exterior design of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite different. If you've seen a Tesla car before, then you'll immediately recognize the Model 3 -- it looks largely like a slightly different version of every other Tesla (except the Cybertruck).

Cars

Tesla launches more affordable Model S and Model X, but there’s a catch

A 2021 Tesla Model S.

Tesla has launched more affordable versions of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the U.S. and Canada, though they come with shorter driving ranges. Deliveries of the new vehicles will begin next month.

The new Model S "standard range" vehicles cost $78,490 and offer a range of up to 320 miles (515 kilometers), which is considerably shorter than the pricier regular dual-motor and tri-motor Plaid versions that feature a range of 405 miles and 396 miles, respectively, Reuters reported.