Model S test drive

[Rick101]

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]

Well he said 30 seconds, I don't know how long it was as I was concentrating on the overtake. May have done 2 or 3 cars in one pass, maybe 7 or 8 seconds and I felt a drop off.

[Rick101]

Bloody timewasters! Nowt better to do that test drive something you aren't willing to buy that same day