RE: Tesla 'Ludicrous Mode' introduced
Monday 20th July 2015
Time moves quickly at Tesla. It wasn't all that long ago the Model S P85D was announced, melting the Internet with acceleration videos and making even the fastest cars worry at a set of lights. Reaching 60mph from rest in a little over three seconds is absurd for a two-tonne saloon.
The Roadster will return too, says TeslaBut that was a P85D with an 'Insane' mode. Now there's a 'Ludicrous' mode. That means the car is capable of 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, or just three tenths behind Porsche's claim for a 918 Spyder. The quarter-mile takes 10.9 seconds. Very, very rapid in other words.
Tesla 'Ludicrous Mode' introduced
Model S now capable of 2.8 seconds to 60mph; next Roadster will go faster still...
The Roadster will return too, says Tesla
Ludicrous mode came about through Tesla's desire to make a powertrain that will last a million miles. A different fuse for the battery with its own electronics and a mini lithium-ion battery plus an upgrade to the main pack contacter allows pack output to safely rise from 1,300 to 1,500 Amps. In EV speak this means even faster. It is available as a $10,000 option to new customers, or $5K to existing P85D owners for six months.
Here's where it becomes a little confusing. Tesla has also launched a 90kWh battery pack upgrade for the 85kWh Model S, which increases range by six per cent to around 300 miles at a constant 65mph. But it's a very different add-on to the Ludicrous mode. In Tesla's words: "the battery pack size upgrade [90kWH] and the pack electronics upgrade [Ludicrous mode] are almost entirely independent. The first is about energy, which affects range, and the second is about power, which affects acceleration." The full release is here for more detail.
Finally, some news on Tesla's upcoming models. Elon Musk has said deliveries of the Model X SUV are due in a couple of months and the Model 3 will arrive in just over two years. There's another Tesla Roadster coming too, although it's four years off at present. It promises the one thing beyond ludicrous: "Maximum plaid." Anyone?
 |
 |
Discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygE01sOhzz0
ETA:
Beaten to it!
ETA:
Beaten to it!
Edited by R8VXF on Monday 20th July 12:39
I think this is utterly amazing, it is a sober looking saloon that can accelerate in a similar way to a Bugatti Veyron, it is also pretty much a first gen product, of the new era of EV's anyway.
Makes me wonder what is possible, I suppose acceleration for accelerations sake is a bit pointless, but it bodes well for run of the mill cars having amazing economy and as much performance as any driver could need, without having to be a "Performance" car, to get the performance they don't seem to have to compromise elsewhere, the Veyron needs 16 radiators to achieve 1000 ish bhp where with an EV it seems they just chuck a higher rated fuse in and the motors just make the car go faster.
I wonder if your average Supermini will end up faster than a current hot hatch ?
they still need to sort the batteries and infrastructure out, but its looking promising.
Makes me wonder what is possible, I suppose acceleration for accelerations sake is a bit pointless, but it bodes well for run of the mill cars having amazing economy and as much performance as any driver could need, without having to be a "Performance" car, to get the performance they don't seem to have to compromise elsewhere, the Veyron needs 16 radiators to achieve 1000 ish bhp where with an EV it seems they just chuck a higher rated fuse in and the motors just make the car go faster.
I wonder if your average Supermini will end up faster than a current hot hatch ?
they still need to sort the batteries and infrastructure out, but its looking promising.
JMF894 said:
Well it's not as if it wasn't fast enough to start with. Perhaps they should concentrate on making it go further rather than faster, and charge quicker?
Jimbo
That's because it's relatively easy to get more power out of an electric drivetrain, getting a denser electrical energy source is a holy grail most of the world has been chasing for 30 years - look where mobile phones were in the 80s. One wonders how much further they can go before they accept they're at the limit of battery technology.Jimbo
JMF894 said:
Well it's not as if it wasn't fast enough to start with. Perhaps they should concentrate on making it go further rather than faster......
Jimbo
That is the 90 bit. The biggest battery you could get was the 85kwh and they have just announced the 90kwh. The extra amperage comes from the fancy fuse. As they have better control over it they can crank the amps up a bit more. Agree about the charging time. I don't know how much quicker they could get it going on a houses power point but if they could double the charge rate they get at the supercharger station it would spur more sales. Jimbo
rodericb said:
JMF894 said:
Well it's not as if it wasn't fast enough to start with. Perhaps they should concentrate on making it go further rather than faster......
Jimbo
That is the 90 bit. The biggest battery you could get was the 85kwh and they have just announced the 90kwh. The extra amperage comes from the fancy fuse. As they have better control over it they can crank the amps up a bit more. Agree about the charging time. I don't know how much quicker they could get it going on a houses power point but if they could double the charge rate they get at the supercharger station it would spur more sales. Jimbo
Tesla said:
Existing owners can also purchase the pack upgrade, but I wouldn't recommend doing so unless usage is on the edge of current range. On average, we expect to increase pack capacity by roughly 5% per year. Better to wait until you have more time on your existing pack and there is a larger accumulated pack energy difference.
R8VXF said:
Maximum torque is actually generated at 0rpm in an electric motor. A force (torque) does not actually require any motion (RPM) to still be a force.
So it's a useful force then as it allows the wheels to be turned at 0 rpm too which means at max torque the car is capable of 0 mph. Fantastic stat - although somewhat pointless to quote it as it's meaningless.Impasse said:
R8VXF said:
Maximum torque is actually generated at 0rpm in an electric motor. A force (torque) does not actually require any motion (RPM) to still be a force.
So it's a useful force then as it allows the wheels to be turned at 0 rpm too which means at max torque the car is capable of 0 mph. Fantastic stat - although somewhat pointless to quote it as it's meaningless.I've test driven the P85D, the Insane mode is already pretty insane. The traction is really surprising, you put your foot to the floor and it just goes. I haven't driven any hypercars but can't imagine there's anything out there which you wouldn't just smoke off a set of lights.
But... after you get up to speed, say 50mph the acceleration is not impressive and doesn't feel anywhere near a 700bhp car. So it does have a good party trick but just isn't exciting enough elsewhere.
But... after you get up to speed, say 50mph the acceleration is not impressive and doesn't feel anywhere near a 700bhp car. So it does have a good party trick but just isn't exciting enough elsewhere.
R8VXF said:
Not at all a meaningless stat, as this is what gives the Tesla such an advantage off the line. Even @ 0.01 RPM you have full turning force available which can be used to propel the car forward at the maximum limit of the tyre grip.
0.01 rpm is rotating and therefore not the 0 rpm often quoted as some sort of wonder stat. 0 rpm is of no use if you wish to move the vehicle. Mind you, neither is a failing National Grid which predicts there may be electric blackouts this winter. But that's another story altogether.
Power flatlines as the torque drops off.
Taken from this article: http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/tesla-model-s-p85d-s...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff