Automotive

I got this a few days ago.  So far, I'm having a blast with this.  It is fast and fun to drive.  The response is instantaneous.  No longer having to go to the gas station is a big plus.  I wonder though, if these cars may end up being analogous to quartz watches in the future.

I saw one 're-fueling' (or rather recharging) at a local Walgreen's Pharmacy store that has an electrical recharge station.  I wonder how long that takes?  I still like the idea behind a plug-in version of a Toyota Prius, for example.  I don't know, maybe I'm old school, but in our quest to become more 'green' have we taken a giant step backwards?  Crazy world....  HAGWE!   ^_^

This car fully charged has a range of about 265 miles (300 miles under ideal conditions).

I usually plug in at home and I get a charge of about 32 miles per hour. With my driving habits I only have to charge every few days. I have on order a high powered wall connector, which will allow me to charge at home at about sixty miles per hour. So it would be fully charged at home in about four hours.

I haven't had to charge it elsewhere yet, but Tesla is building a network of superchargers in between cities with high traffic areas. So far there are only nine of these, but they will build it to about 100 by 2015. With superchargers, you could get 150 miles of range in 30 minutes of charging. So it would be fully charged in less than an hour. These chargers are placed next to diners or shopping areas where people can stop and grab a bite to eat while recharging. At supercharging stations, charging would be free.

There are public charging stations like the one you saw which probably charge at about 21 miles per hour. A 240 volt outlet (Nema 14-50) can be found in hotels and RV parks and can charge at 31 miles per hour.

For my purposes, I hardly drive anywhere where I have to go over 250 miles in a trip. If so, I usually rather fly to those places. So for me, it works better than a plug and drive. No more oil changes. No gas stations. No transmission issues. Anyway, we will see how it goes, but so far I have been pleased.
This message has been edited by kojikabuto on 2013-03-30 16:52:58

This is mighty quick, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. territory:} for a seven seater!!!

Cheers, Francois

Tesla officially says 0-60 in 4.4, but MotorTrend tested it at 3.9 seconds.

Edmunds tested it at 4.0 seconds in 0 to 60.

The Tesla Model S was Motor Trend, Automobile magazine, and Yahoo auto car of the year for 2013.

Because of the electric engine, the response is so quick and fast. For me, the car this is replacing is a 2006 Maserati Quattroporte Sport. The Tesla would blow my Maserati away it wouldn't even be close.

Here is the car being replaced:


Here are some clips of Tesla Model S drag racing:

Against a Dodge Viper:
www.youtube.com

Against a BMW M5:
www.youtube.com

All of this in an electric car with an almost 300 mile range. For me, this wasn't just about being green. It was the total package. The performance had a lot lot to do with it. I wasn't in the market for a Chevy Volt or a Nissan Leaf, not that there is anything wrong with those cars. Just not for me.

. . . yfish.  Unreal.

.. but i do fear a bit the exhilaration missing without the engine noise and probably very linear power delivery.

Yes it is that quick, really !

I will  have mine on order very soon, actually I am ordering  the model X which is not yet available.

This is truly a remarkable car and to me marks a major milestone in US automotive progress. The Tesla is made in California in the Bay area with only a few components coming from outside vendors.

David

and time goes extremely fast too I remember you telling us in Perth during our lunch in Kings Park that you had ordered one impressive car indeed, very clever mob in California.

Cheers, Francois

 

with performance to match! The rear child seats are a nice touch and very practical as well, leaving more room for adults. Must be quiet too.

Thanks for sharing.

fernando

It looks quite nice and seems like out a Sci-Fi movie. The rear is a bit too much AM Rapide like , but quite nice still.

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i dont think i'd want to put any children in those rear seats though. their heads look a bit close to the rear window for my liking.

please give us an update after a few months of ownership.

Graham

I'm green with envy (pun intended)

I'm starting to finally see an occasional Tesla Model S on the roads here in CA.  For the past several weeks, been seeing at least a couple each week on the roads.  A month ago, I would only see maybe 1 a month but not it's a lot more frequent!

I even asked a Tesla owner that parked next to me at a store who he was enjoying his Telsa.  He said "I love it.  I used to drive a BMW like yours but not anymore."

Cheers,
Anthony

  

 

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-03-31 14:25:53

Looks interesting!  

Someone was!



I have the Tesla hat, drove the sports model but have yet to jump from my Insight into the full electric. I fear I would have to move out my Lotuses first to make room ...
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2013-03-31 21:22:40

I think the best thing you can do is to keep the Lotuses ... .

they all are very much in love with theirs.

Is that a Quattroporte in front, in the driveway?

Cheers,

TM

They turned a profit for the first time this past quarter. A very good sign for the future.

Congratulations Omedato gozai mashita kojikabuto-san,

 

I only knew about this baby Tesla back in 2010 when everyone in Hollywood was going 'green' and Tag Heure sponsored a world tour of energy awareness.

 

 

Elon Musk (Tesla Motors), Jean-Christophe Babin (Tag Heure Watch) and some Hollywood film star in Basel 2010

 

Something to do with a new watch escapement powered by the Tesla (the physicist) coil principle and electromagnetism.

 

I did not really expect them to upsize to a 5+2 seater.

 

MTF

 

 

I was just in a Tesla showroom today and thought the car looked fantastic.  Seeing this in person made a big impression on me.   It's not just electric; it's exciting.  The few times one is going for a longer drive, one can use different car.  I can't imagine that very many potential Tesla owners run one-car families.  I loved the frunk; I loved the huge display in the center.

Made a bad impression on me, as children would be carried like luggage or, at least, to not bother the adults.