Does the Tesla Model S have what it takes

[bp1000]

... to be more than a passing fad and appeal to petrolheads?

I started hearing more about Tesla recently and was surprised to see so many on PH in support of what the car is and what it can do. I think i'm surprised because i assumed the noise associated with the love of driving was an important factor in the driving experience. The model S is clearly lacking in that department and i thought it would face tough judgement.

Autoexpress and Autocar just released their p85d reviews, both glowing and i wondered if the p85d had what it takes to appeal to petrolheads. Is it the kind of car you would buy to do all duties, much like the people who buy and m3, m5, rs4, xfr etc. To ferry around the family and also wake up early on a sunday morning, excited to take it for a blast.

Seeing past the obvious "insane" acceleration party piece, do these tesla cars appeal as a drivers car? Much like the electric SLS that featured on top gear and on chris harris drive, both approached the car with serious doubts that lacking in noise and 2.2 tonnes is just a silly recipe for a petrolhead. As it transpired the reviews were positive leaving them quite interested, i'm sure neither would buy one (esp at the SLS price). The p85d also around 700bhp and 2.2 tonnes, also 4wd but this time practical and relatively affordable nothing like the 300k SLS.

Ok, its a lot more conservative looking, less luxurious but seems like Tesla relatively speaking have come up with a game changer but at 2.2 tonnes and no noise is it? For the petrolhead?

[Troubleatmill]

It is the future. Big engined cars are being legislated out of existence.

[kambites]

bp1000 said:

... to be more than a passing fad and appeal to petrolheads?

I suspect the sad answer is "it doesn't matter". There just aren't enough enthusiasts out there for them to make the blindest bit of difference to anything.

I suspect we'll ultimately end up replacing the family car (currently an Octavia VRS) with a Model-3. I've never been particularly attached to the internal combustion engine.

[Freakuk]

Having recently been to the lauch of Tesla in Knutsford and subsequently taking a demo out (not a P85D) I cn tell you I was pretty impressed, it's a big luxury car at the end of the day, yes there's no engine noise but in a petrol/diesel equivalent you would only hear the engine at tickover before the road/tyre noise took over and this makes it feel like any other car.

It doesn't handle like any M car for example so don't think you would be able to chuck it down some twisty lanes, that isn't it's intent or purpose.

BUT as an every day car, yes I could see myself in one for 75% of what I would want from a car.

[james_gt3rs]

bp1000 said:

but at 2.2 tonnes and no noise is it? For the petrolhead?

Of course not! I drove on briefly, and yes it was very fast, but climbing out of my VX220 into that... it felt like a bus, computer game steering and zero fun. It was indecently fast for such a quiet car though

[Debaser]

I have spent a lot of time in a P85+, but haven't driven the new four wheel drive version. I thought the drivetrain was very impressive, not just the outright performance but also the way they have calibrated the accelerator pedal. It's very responsive to inputs, yet easy to maintain a constant speed.

However the rest of the car lets it down. The trim quality, ride, handling, steering, NVH etc. are all a long way behind more established car companies. For a car company, Tesla are new and very small, and it shows.

The P85+ is my favourite electric car although I wouldn't have one, not because it's electric, but because the ride and handling aren't good enough. I also think it's a shame the new one is 4WD.