Tesla Model S

Jez · 17 May 2014 at 18:42

Rilot said:
If I were in the market for a new executive express, the Tesla would be top of my list. I rarely need to drive more than 300 miles in a single day.

I'm dumbfounded that the big car makers managed to let a little startup take 100% of the market for executive EVs while sitting on their hands with their fingers in their ears going "lalalalala I can't hear you over the sound of our diesel engines".
What's amazing is that last year, the Tesla outsold the 7-series, A8, S-class and XJ in the US. Surely the big German marques must have someone in the works to counter this?

This is what i was saying above, just how has this been allowed to happen! :confused:

Why on earth isnt there an EV S-Class or CLS or something.

PMKeates · 17 May 2014 at 19:28

I've been in one in Milan, oddly. Nice cars, very quick acceleration, tails off a bit over 100 and if you're a person who drives 'quickly' say goodbye to good range. Build quality seemed pretty good, though maybe not quite up to competitor (BMW, Mercedes) standards.

Rilot said:
What's amazing is that last year, the Tesla outsold the 7-series, A8, S-class and XJ in the US. Surely the big German marques must have someone in the works to counter this?

There is an early adopters boost to the Tesla models. It's the same situation in Switzerland and it will be interesting to see if they continue for long.

Skeeter · 17 May 2014 at 20:53

[TW]Fox;26317069 said:
Whereas I think it's probably the best take on the electric car yet. The problem with previous electric cars is that they've been expensive - because the tech costs money - but electric power aside, they were mostly nasty, cheap and plastic junk. I mean just look at the Nissan Leaf. Why would you pay huge money for a cheap plastic Micra-type thing? You wouldn't. Which is why I've never seen one.

The Tesla Model S is different. The Tesla Model S is a high end luxury car *and* its electric. You would pay a similar amount of money, at list price, for something like a 640d Gran Coupe or a well specified Mercedes CLS. The Tesla is absolutely bang on - for your not insignificant list price you actually get a high quality, high end car that looks like a proper luxury car and seats 4 people like a proper luxury car with a proper luxury car interior.

No wonder these things are EVERYWHERE in the US whereas nobody gives a **** about the Nissan Leaf.

Most people who buy this sort of car don't buy it because they need to travel to Monaco, by road, at the drop of a hat. Yes, executive saloons are well suited for such plans but most people don't do that with them and they are just as nice to waft around town or take 100 miles up the road.

True. I've seen quite a few of these in the UK, all of them pootling around central London.

And for Glaucuses (highly predictable) reply about theoretical maximum ranges and yet to be installed fast charger network, the 'range issue' is imrpoving, but its still far far far away from the ability to just 'decide to drive somewhere' without having to give serious thought to how you plan your route. Justifying a car that exists now on a support infrastructure that will exist sometime in the future doesn't hold water for me unfortunately.

At this point in time you are realistically limited to the range of a single charge per day, and as Keates states, actual range is rather fluid based on driving style.

Give it time though.

-westy- · 17 May 2014 at 21:00

I had a drive on one a couple of weeks ago. Lovely car, if a little...almost too basic inside. The TFT is HUGE, almost distracting. However the power delivery is great. I only drove it for 15 mins or so, but I was reasonably impressed.

Glaucus · 17 May 2014 at 21:04

Lol, you knew sod all yet call me predictable. Laughable. Did you even read it, I gave real world mileage as well.
As well a current superchargers. So yeah, try again.

Jez said:
They will surely be allowing Tesla to be building quite a foothold in the electric luxury market by not doing so

It's a double whammy as well, not only is Tesla advancing their sales, they're installing the infrastructure as well. Unless big companies get on board soon they are going to be miles behind.

Jonnycoupe · 17 May 2014 at 21:07

No one buys these as a sole car anyway.

[TW]Fox · 17 May 2014 at 21:13

Glaucus said:
Lol, you knew sod all yet call me predictable. Laughable. Did you even read it, I gave real world mileage as well.
As well a current superchargers. So yeah. Try again.

To be fair to him, reading your posts is a challenge at the best of times. I mean you can't even be bothered to proof read them before you hit 'Submit', so expecting others to actually read them in full is a bit much

Glaucus · 17 May 2014 at 21:16

[TW]Fox;26319548 said:
To be fair to him, reading your posts is a challenge at the best of times. I mean you can't even be bothered to proof read them before you hit 'Submit', so expecting others to actually read them in full is a bit much

Except there's nothing wrong with that post

, he's just being his usual self.

Skeeter · 17 May 2014 at 21:18

Glaucus said:
Lol, you knew sod all yet call me predictable. Laughable. Did you even read it, I gave real world mileage as well.
As well a current superchargers. So yeah, try again.

Why would I need to know about the car to know that anything other than a positive reply would spout a lecture in future charger networks and ranges from you? Your attitude in the reply was what I considered predictable.

And my post contained an example of an 800 mile drive to the south of France, and you reply states a 240 mile range and a map showing... no superchargers in France :confused:

Glaucus · 17 May 2014 at 21:20

Not you just stated rubbish, and end of 2014 is hardly a big time frame seeing as they aren't even on sale yet. Even if you order now, delivery isn't for 4-5months. You don't need to post positively, all I did was point what the range is and what it's capable off.

As I said your usual post.

Marvin · 17 May 2014 at 21:25

I'm looking forward to their "budget" model, will be great to see what they can do for average 5-series money. Really liking what they're doing, and the design of this car, plus the commitment for the charging stations et al show that purely electric cars are not a pipe dream.

Easy 150-200 mile ranges are going to be enough for the vast majority of people all the time; just hire a car if you really need to go further on occasion - you'll still save money vs the fuel cost anyway. That's before any hypothetical charging stations too.

Skeeter · 17 May 2014 at 21:27

So what are those "routes to be covered by 2014" actually going to be covered by? Your post seems to try and portray they will be covered by super chargers, but when you look it doesn't actually state the specifics.

And does the Tesla S have a battery that can be used to get the required charge for 170 miles in 30 minutes?

PMKeates · 17 May 2014 at 21:28

Ideally they need to get the battery swapping system operative. A 'refuel' in 90 seconds is more attractive.

http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/batteryswap

Glaucus · 17 May 2014 at 21:31

Skeeter said:
So what are those "routes to be covered by 2014" actually going to be covered by? Your post seems to try and portray they will be covered by super chargers, but when you look it doesn't actually state the specifics.

And does the Tesla S have a battery that can be used to get the required charge for 170 miles in 30 minutes?

Super chargers and yes, it's all off the Tesla webpage.

DaveyD · 17 May 2014 at 23:47

Having driven a good few hundred miles in a Model S, I've concluded its a fantastic American car, but it's missing a little bit of quality that would make it on par with the BMW quality and expectations of the European buyer.

It had a fantastic powertrain, torque delivery in P85 is addictive, but the tyre noise on 21in rims is poor, and some of the fit and finish is a tad rubbish.

The 17in screen is a great gimmick, but it's crying for something you can actually feel without needing to look down to change a control like fan speed or temperature.

The Mercdes indicators and gear leavers don't quite fit the rest of the car.

Overall though I would be happy to own one, but on a domestic 13A socket it'll take 36 hours to charge, which is a little slow!

Realistic range of about 260 miles is good enough for me!

Glaucus · 17 May 2014 at 23:55

Why would you just be plugging it in to a socket? At home you have 2 optional items 10 or 20kw charger. Meaning 10 or 5hr charge time.

Jonnycoupe · 18 May 2014 at 00:12

I want to try one out!

Skeeter · 18 May 2014 at 00:49

Glaucus said:
Why would you just be plugging it in to a socket? At home you have 2 optional items 10 or 20kw charger. Meaning 10 or 5hr charge time.

Maybe he doesn't have a 400v circuit or a time machine?

Glaucus · 18 May 2014 at 05:09

Skeeter said:
Maybe he doesn't have a 400v circuit or a time machine?

You mean a 240v charger that are designed to be installed in homes. That's both models.

DaveyD · 18 May 2014 at 07:54

Glaucus said:
Why would you just be plugging it in to a socket? At home you have 2 optional items 10 or 20kw charger. Meaning 10 or 5hr charge time.

I was talking worst case. Not everywhere you go is going to have high power charging around.

You could easily go to a friend or relatives house, the basic free EV chargers you get installed by the likes of British Gas are often only 3.7kW, still leaving you charging in 24hrs from flat.