Tesla Model S....wow
Discussion
Nearly two years following these I had a go in one round Silverstone yesterday.
What a car. Seriously this is a game changer. Performance is incredible. I drove a Jaguar F Type S after the Tesla and that felt flat in comparison despite having 380bhp.
Handling is spot on due to the car having a low centre of gravity. This is a seriously capable car. Cornering speeds were 10-15mph on my ST220 round Silverstone which is quite amazing as the Tesla weighs just over 2 tons! Handling was balanced with slight understeer pushing into a 4 wheel drift. ESP is very capable but not intrusive.
If anyone gets the chance to drive one then please have a go. I am stunned, what a machine. It is as if you are being pushed along by some unknown force. Totally silent and relentless.
First time I've been lost for words after a go in a car and I've driven some nice kit. To be seen on UK roads in the next couple of months.
On the road it would be fabulous. Would be able to jet into any available gap with ease. The power delivery when you boot it at any speed is unreal. Full power is instantaneous, really is point and shoot.
What a car. Seriously this is a game changer. Performance is incredible. I drove a Jaguar F Type S after the Tesla and that felt flat in comparison despite having 380bhp.
Handling is spot on due to the car having a low centre of gravity. This is a seriously capable car. Cornering speeds were 10-15mph on my ST220 round Silverstone which is quite amazing as the Tesla weighs just over 2 tons! Handling was balanced with slight understeer pushing into a 4 wheel drift. ESP is very capable but not intrusive.
If anyone gets the chance to drive one then please have a go. I am stunned, what a machine. It is as if you are being pushed along by some unknown force. Totally silent and relentless.
First time I've been lost for words after a go in a car and I've driven some nice kit. To be seen on UK roads in the next couple of months.
On the road it would be fabulous. Would be able to jet into any available gap with ease. The power delivery when you boot it at any speed is unreal. Full power is instantaneous, really is point and shoot.
its a totally undesirable washing machine to me (although more desirable than an i3)
it could do 0-200 in 6 seconds for all i care, noise is as important as looks and as how a car drives, its a critical part of the experience for me, hearing a V8 roar on start up early in the morning sets my hairs on edge
although no noise is better than fake noise played through the speakers or a speaker under the bonnet (VAG performace 4 pots)
it could do 0-200 in 6 seconds for all i care, noise is as important as looks and as how a car drives, its a critical part of the experience for me, hearing a V8 roar on start up early in the morning sets my hairs on edge
although no noise is better than fake noise played through the speakers or a speaker under the bonnet (VAG performace 4 pots)
I am sure it is a very impressive car, but dont fool yourself that it is actually quicker than the F-Type S. It is not. It is actually pretty slow above about 60mph. It has an impressive 0-60 time because of its instant torque, but it is not a beast.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
In LA at the moment and they are everywhere, had a go a in a friends and was very impressed. Love V8's too but electric has its own special draw once you've tried a good one, neighbours will love you on a morning too.
Looking down on LA from the Griffith observatory I'd say the more electric cars here the better!
Looking down on LA from the Griffith observatory I'd say the more electric cars here the better!
ORD said:
I am sure it is a very impressive car, but dont fool yourself that it is actually quicker than the F-Type S. It is not. It is actually pretty slow above about 60mph. It has an impressive 0-60 time because of its instant torque, but it is not a beast.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
Have you had a go in one? It "runs out of puff" at 120mph due to gearing, I bet the motor is doing crazy RPM at 120mph. Floor it at 80mph and it just takes off.It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
It does the 1/4 mile in just over 12 seconds (around 12.2-12.4) at 110mph, slow??!!
It feels ballistic because of the way it changes speed I agree but it is not a slow car. The way it reacts to throttle inputs would be amazing on the road for overtakes / negotiating traffic.
Jon999 said:
Have you had a go in one? It "runs out of puff" at 120mph due to gearing, I bet the motor is doing crazy RPM at 120mph. Floor it at 80mph and it just takes off.
It does the 1/4 mile in just over 12 seconds (around 12.2-12.4) at 110mph, slow??!!
It feels ballistic because of the way it changes speed I agree but it is not a slow car. The way it reacts to throttle inputs would be amazing on the road for overtakes / negotiating traffic.
Was it a Model S 'Performance' that you were driving? Personally I do not care much about the performance above 120mph - after all, I rarely go faster than 80. Makes you wonder just how hard the forthcoming 2nd gen roadster will go, Tesla are mumbling about a serious step forward in performance compared with the first one.It does the 1/4 mile in just over 12 seconds (around 12.2-12.4) at 110mph, slow??!!
It feels ballistic because of the way it changes speed I agree but it is not a slow car. The way it reacts to throttle inputs would be amazing on the road for overtakes / negotiating traffic.
AnotherClarkey said:
Was it a Model S 'Performance' that you were driving? Personally I do not care much about the performance above 120mph - after all, I rarely go faster than 80. Makes you wonder just how hard the forthcoming 2nd gen roadster will go, Tesla are mumbling about a serious step forward in performance compared with the first one.
P85+ IIRC. Fastest one they do.Agree regarding performance over 120, pretty much useless back in the real world.
Will be interesting what they do with the Mk2 Roadster. If they update the Model S I guess they could bolt the same motor configuration onto the front axle of the Model S and double the power maybe with some battery / power delivery limitations, really really not necessary though.
ORD said:
I am sure it is a very impressive car, but dont fool yourself that it is actually quicker than the F-Type S. It is not. It is actually pretty slow above about 60mph. It has an impressive 0-60 time because of its instant torque, but it is not a beast.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
It's still very fast to the quarter mile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOqWlOrlkIghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvHTN0Yi1t4It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
ORD said:
I am sure it is a very impressive car, but dont fool yourself that it is actually quicker than the F-Type S. It is not. It is actually pretty slow above about 60mph. It has an impressive 0-60 time because of its instant torque, but it is not a beast.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
That makes no sense, unless by "quick" you mean top speed? Without a multi ratio gear box an electric car is never going to be a great tow car, or a high speed car. It is however quick buy most peoples definition, and the are so many reviews that enthuse about the superb acceleration.It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
As to the physics, a car can't have a higher jerk, and be lower (in acceleration) than one with less jerk. Time is a constant in this context so only speed can change. To have a higher jerk, the car must be getting quicker, in a shorter space of time.
Dave Hedgehog said:
its a totally undesirable washing machine to me (although more desirable than an i3)
it could do 0-200 in 6 seconds for all i care, noise is as important as looks and as how a car drives, its a critical part of the experience for me, hearing a V8 roar on start up early in the morning sets my hairs on edge
although no noise is better than fake noise played through the speakers or a speaker under the bonnet (VAG performace 4 pots)
One must ask why the hell you're even posting/reading this particular sub-forum if that's your view?it could do 0-200 in 6 seconds for all i care, noise is as important as looks and as how a car drives, its a critical part of the experience for me, hearing a V8 roar on start up early in the morning sets my hairs on edge
although no noise is better than fake noise played through the speakers or a speaker under the bonnet (VAG performace 4 pots)
It's like me going onto the football threads and saying their all a bunch of preening, overpaid, whinging, diving nonces.
I have to agree it's a great car, driven the 85+ twice now and the BMWi3 once. I will be trying the standard 85 before placing my order. Need to decide if the + is worth the extra £11,000. Not worried about missing the V8 as I will still be keeping my 2 V8's in the garage for weekend blats and will use the £1k monthly petrol savinmg to pay for the Tesla.
I quite liked the BMW but need a 5 seater.
I quite liked the BMW but need a 5 seater.
OK, so I just went for a test drive in a Tesla S and came away very impressed
The car I drove would be about 77k.
As a machine to drive, it is a splendid thing. As good as any other similar sized car I have driven: quick (very quick actually from 0 through 100), predictable, surefooted, stops well, good visibility.
Technically it is a marvel. Not just the traction, but also the big screen, the dash, the ability to remote diagnose, OTA software updates, all fantastic.
There is plenty of room in it and it is comfortable and well equipped with almost everything you might want it to have if you were buying a car at that price.
But, I hear you ask.... well
It isn't as quiet as I thought it would be when it is moving. Wind noise and road noise mean that at cruising speeds it isn't much (any) quieter than its combustion engined peers. Not a problem, but I was expecting it to be cathedral like quiet and it wasn't
It isn't a luxurious place to be. It is functional, comfortable and nice enough, but there is no "luxury" An S class Merc, an XJ Jag, a 7 series BM and an Audi A8 are all more luxurious. Again, not a problem, function over form is just fine, but I think a bit more could have been done: for instance to put a bit of nice carpet in rather than the stuff that looks like it came from a base spec Corsa
I was a bit surprised that servicing costs so much - probably about 400 - 500 a go, annually apparently. Most of that is about the battery condition stuff, but I expect the pricing is to make the dealership model work as it needs to. After all, a few hundred quid on an oil change is not about activity based pricing either is it?
All in all, its a very compelling prospect and, now having driven one, I am finding it quite hard to hold back on ordering one.
The car I drove would be about 77k.
As a machine to drive, it is a splendid thing. As good as any other similar sized car I have driven: quick (very quick actually from 0 through 100), predictable, surefooted, stops well, good visibility.
Technically it is a marvel. Not just the traction, but also the big screen, the dash, the ability to remote diagnose, OTA software updates, all fantastic.
There is plenty of room in it and it is comfortable and well equipped with almost everything you might want it to have if you were buying a car at that price.
But, I hear you ask.... well
It isn't as quiet as I thought it would be when it is moving. Wind noise and road noise mean that at cruising speeds it isn't much (any) quieter than its combustion engined peers. Not a problem, but I was expecting it to be cathedral like quiet and it wasn't
It isn't a luxurious place to be. It is functional, comfortable and nice enough, but there is no "luxury" An S class Merc, an XJ Jag, a 7 series BM and an Audi A8 are all more luxurious. Again, not a problem, function over form is just fine, but I think a bit more could have been done: for instance to put a bit of nice carpet in rather than the stuff that looks like it came from a base spec Corsa
I was a bit surprised that servicing costs so much - probably about 400 - 500 a go, annually apparently. Most of that is about the battery condition stuff, but I expect the pricing is to make the dealership model work as it needs to. After all, a few hundred quid on an oil change is not about activity based pricing either is it?
All in all, its a very compelling prospect and, now having driven one, I am finding it quite hard to hold back on ordering one.
ORD said:
I am sure it is a very impressive car, but dont fool yourself that it is actually quicker than the F-Type S. It is not. It is actually pretty slow above about 60mph. It has an impressive 0-60 time because of its instant torque, but it is not a beast.
It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
Pretty slow above 60?? I am sorry but that is simply not true - it pulls like a train to 100 (I backed off then).It runs out of puff at about 120mph, which tells you a lot.
It feels very fast because we perceive most sharply the rate of change in the rate of change of speed (i.e. the rate of change in acceleration) and an electric car has a lot of this (which is called "jerk"). It is a bit like putting your foot down in a TDI car and thinking "Wow" when it's still, objectively, slow as all hell.
It is not as quick as the Jag, and is "limited" to 130, but it all feels so effortless in the Tesla because of the torque and lack of drama. I can see why someone might think it was quicker
It takes about 6.5 seconds to get from 60mph to 100mph. That is not very fast for a car at this price and with performance marketing and claims.
Limiting a car to 130 is also not very impressive! If it had to be set up to go autobahn speeds, it would be much slower in acceleration, I expect, not least because it would have to be heavier.
I am not saying that it isn't hugely impressive to make a EV this fast, but the unreal comparisons don't help. It's a long way off being as good as its ICE competitors as a drivers car and I think everyone knows that.
Limiting a car to 130 is also not very impressive! If it had to be set up to go autobahn speeds, it would be much slower in acceleration, I expect, not least because it would have to be heavier.
I am not saying that it isn't hugely impressive to make a EV this fast, but the unreal comparisons don't help. It's a long way off being as good as its ICE competitors as a drivers car and I think everyone knows that.
ORD said:
I am not saying that it isn't hugely impressive to make a EV this fast, but the unreal comparisons don't help. It's a long way off being as good as its ICE competitors as a drivers car and I think everyone knows that.
It is different - in some ways much better, in others not as good. Off the line acceleration is outstanding, without any "launch control" BS. Gear change times are zero, simply because there are no gear changes.Not sure about you, but I drive under 100 mph more than I drive over 100mph, so for me the Tesla is more of a drivers car in the real world.
c2mike said:
It is different - in some ways much better, in others not as good. Off the line acceleration is outstanding, without any "launch control" BS. Gear change times are zero, simply because there are no gear changes.
Not sure about you, but I drive under 100 mph more than I drive over 100mph, so for me the Tesla is more of a drivers car in the real world.
'Better' as in faster. Lack of gears removes involvement; lack of engine note removes involvement; lack of building torque and managing revs removes involvement. It is technically impressive but not a drivers car in any real sense.Not sure about you, but I drive under 100 mph more than I drive over 100mph, so for me the Tesla is more of a drivers car in the real world.
But I don't think many people care about these things - as long as it goes fast and looks expensive, it will sell.
ORD said:
c2mike said:
It is different - in some ways much better, in others not as good. Off the line acceleration is outstanding, without any "launch control" BS. Gear change times are zero, simply because there are no gear changes.
Not sure about you, but I drive under 100 mph more than I drive over 100mph, so for me the Tesla is more of a drivers car in the real world.
'Better' as in faster. Lack of gears removes involvement; lack of engine note removes involvement; lack of building torque and managing revs removes involvement. It is technically impressive but not a drivers car in any real sense.Not sure about you, but I drive under 100 mph more than I drive over 100mph, so for me the Tesla is more of a drivers car in the real world.
But I don't think many people care about these things - as long as it goes fast and looks expensive, it will sell.
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