UK Head of Tesla.... Impressive

[98elise]

J4CKO said:

Kawasicki said:

J4CKO said:

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

I wonder how quick they can make one if they have managed 2.8 to sixty, does the electric AWD format offer advantages in standing start acceleration that still has potential to offer even faster options, the 2.8 to sixty doesn't seem to involve any wheelspin like with IC engined cars.

All a bit pointless but amazing fun.

Getting quick times with IC cars doesn't involve wheelspin either.

It's just physics. An Audi R8 is about as quick.

Of course there are some advantages with electric motors, they are easier to regulate the torque, but the power is still going to the ground via tyres and there is a limit to that grip.

Yeah, your last point is the one I was thinking of and was wondering how much difference that makes.

An R8 V10 is near enough as quick, but the Tesla is a massive barge versus a purpose build mid engined supercar.

I was pondering it and was thinking that to launch an IC car you have to get all that drivetrain up to speed ready to deleiver power to the wheels and that takes some doing, a lot of reciprocating mass, obviously the electric motor has some but there are two smaller ones and it seems to be a more controllable and precdictable method.

I guess the lack of gearchanges helps a little as well.

1. Max torque from zero revs
2. No clutch
3. Simplicity of control (you're not trying to engage fast spinning mechanical device with a stationary one)
4. No gear changes

A launch in an EV is far less dramatic and more effective than an ICE, which is better or worse depending on your viewpoint

[gangzoom]

Guvernator said:

Things may have changed now but the basic model when I looked wasn't just down on power or slower to 60, you had to pay extra for AWD (might be important for some), then range was lower (230 iirc) which you could pay to have upgraded and more importantly it didn't have the quick\twin charge function of the more powerful variants or the free install of the supercharge point at your house. By the time you added those options it was £65k or you'd be better off buying the next model up.

At any rate it's not really the purchase price which is the deal breaker as no one really buys cars for cash any more but the lease costs which on average are about £150-£200 more on a Tesla than an equivalent petrol car. I'm not sure if this is due to bad residuals on Tesla's or whether they just don't have the financial clout to offer decent APR on their lease deals.

The base version is amazing value for money. The 70S - RWD comes in at £50K, with supercharger enabled and all the toys your need. The only thing I would add would be leather seats + paranoiac roof, and I'll be buying with cash.

Tesla lease prices are essentially the same as buying new and selling in 3 years, Tesla don't do discounts hence the lease price reflects the list price - Unlike BMW/Audi/Merc who pump loads of manufacture 'contributions' to help them shift cars. The APR offered by Tesla is also pretty decent 5.9%.

[otolith]

gangzoom said:

paranoiac roof

Is that the one that make you think the CIA satellites are watching you through it?

[DonkeyApple]

98elise said:

J4CKO said:

Kawasicki said:

J4CKO said:

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

I wonder how quick they can make one if they have managed 2.8 to sixty, does the electric AWD format offer advantages in standing start acceleration that still has potential to offer even faster options, the 2.8 to sixty doesn't seem to involve any wheelspin like with IC engined cars.

All a bit pointless but amazing fun.

Getting quick times with IC cars doesn't involve wheelspin either.

It's just physics. An Audi R8 is about as quick.

Of course there are some advantages with electric motors, they are easier to regulate the torque, but the power is still going to the ground via tyres and there is a limit to that grip.

Yeah, your last point is the one I was thinking of and was wondering how much difference that makes.

An R8 V10 is near enough as quick, but the Tesla is a massive barge versus a purpose build mid engined supercar.

I was pondering it and was thinking that to launch an IC car you have to get all that drivetrain up to speed ready to deleiver power to the wheels and that takes some doing, a lot of reciprocating mass, obviously the electric motor has some but there are two smaller ones and it seems to be a more controllable and precdictable method.

I guess the lack of gearchanges helps a little as well.

1. Max torque from zero revs
2. No clutch
3. Simplicity of control (you're not trying to engage fast spinning mechanical device with a stationary one)
4. No gear changes

A launch in an EV is far less dramatic and more effective than an ICE, which is better or worse depending on your viewpoint

I would think that the location of the heavy power pack would have an impact on general traction also?

[anonymous-user]

DonkeyApple said:

I would think that the location of the heavy power pack would have an impact on general traction also?

A low CofG (and a high polar moment of inertia) helps minimise longitudinal weight transfer, which means you can use all 4 tyres evenly.