Model S test drive
Discussion
Just back from my test drive of the Tesla Model S. What a great car!
I tested the P85+ which is the most powerful version. 0-60 in 4.2 and 600nm of torque from 0rpm.
Overall it's a good looking car. The matt carbon spoiler is now standard on the P85+. The model I drove has the massive 21" wheels but had a very comfortable ride.
Lots of boot space front and rear. Not sure there are many cubbyholes inside but the boot's are more than sufficient.
Interior is great, very nice design and a premium feel. They've done well for a newbie to come out with something so good, so early. I thought the screen was too big from the photo's and just put in to say, we've got the biggest screen, but in reality it sits quite well and does what it's supposed to. I will not the display is very good. Most car screens look 5 years old the day they're released, this is much more modern and looks like current Apple/Android technology. One thing I will note is that you don't get a realtime remaining miles on the dash. YOu have to go digging into the media screen. What it does show on the dash is the max achievable if you drive like an angel. This seemed to be a bit deceptive. It should show you expected mileage using your current driving style.
The drive
Took her out accompanied for about 40 min. Little bit of town driving then out onto an A road. As said above the ride is comfortable considering the size of the wheels. It's quite a large car and takes some getting used to gauging where the bumpers are. This car had the rear camera and front sensors. No gears, just move into Drive using a stalk (nothing in the centre console) The instant torque was great and the car felt very usable around town. I did have a couple of instances where I was behind somebody or turning and they were completely unaware I was present due to last of noise. I believe they are having to add a fake noise from year, (I've suggested machine gun sound!).
Out on the open road the car handles the road well, feels fairly dynamic and capable. Overtaking is an ease but I did feel a bit of a twitch from the back end when accelerating. Full torque is fun but i'd probably leave the traction on in this car.
I was a bit surprised about the electronic limiters. Even on this P85+ performance model it was 130mph. Yes, nearly double the limit but seems low for a £100000 'performance car'. I also thought I felt the power drop off when I had a clear section of road and was hard on the accelerator. The advisor told me that the batteries will overheat so you get a maximum of 30 seconds at full whack then it reduces power by approx 50%. Not good for overtaking a long stretch of cars, def not good for track work!
Overall, really good car. Needs a few tweaks here and there which I'm sure will come in the next few years, radar cruise, rain wipers etc. Despite that they seem to have go the main bit right, the drive. Goes well, stops well, turns well. Just need to bit more work on them batteries to allow full power for longer.
It's definitely something I'd consider next time I'm due to change. Just need to get them on the 'cheap lease' thread.
Rick101 said:
I also thought I felt the power drop off when I had a clear section of road and was hard on the accelerator. The advisor told me that the batteries will overheat so you get a maximum of 30 seconds at full whack then it reduces power by approx 50%. Not good for overtaking a long stretch of cars, def not good for track work!
30 seconds of full power is more than enough, I've never overtaken a line of cars 30 seconds long ! That's half a mile long at 60 mph !dtmpower said:
Rick101 said:
I also thought I felt the power drop off when I had a clear section of road and was hard on the accelerator. The advisor told me that the batteries will overheat so you get a maximum of 30 seconds at full whack then it reduces power by approx 50%. Not good for overtaking a long stretch of cars, def not good for track work!
30 seconds of full power is more than enough, I've never overtaken a line of cars 30 seconds long ! That's half a mile long at 60 mph !McWigglebum4th said:
dtmpower said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
I would cook that battery pretty much every trip lol
I very much doubt it. Test drove one today - very impressive, especially the 'go for a gap' capability. It was a P85+ with the air suspension but I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the ride comfort and tyre noise. I wonder what the steel-suspended ones with smaller wheels/tyres are like?
Still, it was enough to convince me that I don't want to buy another ICE-powered car. I will pop a deposit down for the Model 3 when the order book opens I think.
Still, it was enough to convince me that I don't want to buy another ICE-powered car. I will pop a deposit down for the Model 3 when the order book opens I think.
Chicane-UK said:
Would absolutely kill for a test drive of a Tesla - but as I guess I'm not a potential customer (until they get more affordable), I've got no chance 
Absolutely not true - I applied online for the Cheshire event here:http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/events
On the online form I said clearly that I was not interested in the Model S but wanted to have a go to see if it was worth making my current car last until the Model 3 comes out. I re-stated this in the email correspondence to arrange the drive and was told that was no problem at all.
When I got to the event I was quickly shown around the car and given a 30 minute accompanied test drive. The Tesla rep was very professional and was able to answer all my questions. To be honest I was expecting a bit of hard sell when we got back but he just shook my hand and we agreed to meet in three years when the Model 3 is out. Given that the technology was very impressive and the service excellent I will pop a deposit on the Model 3 as soon as the order book opens.
Chicane-UK said:
This is why I'd feel guilty signing up for the test drive. I guess I'll get my chance eventually.
Hire one for the day.http://www.evrent.co.uk/
Roo said:
Ooh... now that is something I could do 
Thanks! Chicane-UK said:
Ooh... now that is something I could do Thanks!
Just book a test drive at one of their events! They are honestly test drive events, not sales events. I had a drive in York a few months ago and it was excellent just as described above. Superb car too. Thanks! See here:
http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/events
Chicane-UK said:
Would absolutely kill for a test drive of a Tesla - but as I guess I'm not a potential customer (until they get more affordable), I've got no chance
Log on to the website. Put in your details. Request a visit to west drayton for a test drive (easiet to give it some welky than Central London). Voila. They call back ask what you drive now ( i have a juke and x trail, but looking at xf i3 or tesla as my company has some cash i want to extract) and if you've driven an EV before. (Regeneration means i only used the brakes about 3 times pulling up to a red light). On a side note... They have a bare chassis in the showroom with just the wheels, motor inverter and steering gear. No batteries though. Makes you realise a) for 360bhp the motor is tiny b) there isnt much mechanical stuff to go wrong.
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