RE: Tesla (unofficially) regains EV 'ring record

[oedipus]

McRors said:

Well done Tesla. However, watching the video, made it seem all rather soulless really. Magnificent engineering etc but sterile all the same. Perhaps I’m wrong.

It's different, sure, but I wouldn't equate noise with soul. What noise does do is give you an aural point of reference as to the state of the car (and to take full advantage of that you really need a manual to be able to adjust its dispostition at the moment of your choosing). And it's really important to have something you can hear to measure against when your eyes are working overtime dealing with the road in front of you. There's no reason why this feedback couldn't be produced in an EV, and, rather than being motivated a wish to nostalgically evoke the engine noise of ICEs, calibrated to provide even more information on the state of the vehicle.

[E90_M3Ross]

tdm34 said:

Dohnut said:

Surely McMurty would wipe the floor here?

Now that would be interesting, maybe the first sub 7 minute lap?

First sub 7? Several ICE road cars are already doing that, Porsche 918 hybrid evo (obviously not road legal) was barely over 5mins! I'm not sure the McMurtry would even do a full lap, would it?

[Water Fairy]

I'd rather take twice as long to go round in something with an engine personally

Bah

[JJJ.]

Limpet said:

Forget the electric bit for a minute, this is ridiculously impressive for what is a big, spacious 5 seat family car with a huge boot.

I understand the point you're making but it's rather difficult to forget the EV bit.

[JJJ.]

Water Fairy said:

I'd rather take twice as long to go round in something with an engine personally

Bah

Was thinking the same.

[thegreenhell]

E90_M3Ross said:

tdm34 said:

Dohnut said:

Surely McMurty would wipe the floor here?

Now that would be interesting, maybe the first sub 7 minute lap?

First sub 7? Several ICE road cars are already doing that, Porsche 918 hybrid evo (obviously not road legal) was barely over 5mins! I'm not sure the McMurtry would even do a full lap, would it?

Don't forget the VW IDR Pikes Peak thing is the current all-electric lap record holder with a 6:05

[WCZ]

BrownEaredDog said:

Do you have a link? The only experienced ‘Ring driver vids I can find are with Dale Lomas and Misha Charoudin and they are just analyses.

I don’t doubt that it wasn’t the greatest car around the Nordschleife though, it’s something of a chungus and no amount of insane power, suspension tuning or sticky rubber is going to hide that

I think it was Misha Charoudin, I'd had a few beers when I was watching it but that's what I took away from the video !

edit: this is my 10,000th post here! didn't realise it until now

Edited by WCZ on Monday 5th June 17:12

[Sandpit Steve]

Rumblestripe said:

I can't help thinking that this 'Ring lap thing is going to end in someone having a very big off.

I get the romance of the place but is it really a good place to be pushing the envelope?

So long as it’s professional drivers doing it on a closed course with factory support, and not some random idiot who bought one turning up on tourist day.

[Sandpit Steve]

tdm34 said:

Dohnut said:

Surely McMurty would wipe the floor here?

Now that would be interesting, maybe the first sub 7 minute lap?

I did wonder if McMurtry might have a go at this, or if the circuit is just too difficult (bumpy) for the way the car works with downforce? They should have just about enough battery for a lap, and it would be great to see them try. Theoretically, they’re faster than Bellof’s time, and well towards Timo Bernhard’s insane 919 EVO time.

[Rumblestripe]

Sandpit Steve said:

Rumblestripe said:

I can't help thinking that this 'Ring lap thing is going to end in someone having a very big off.

I get the romance of the place but is it really a good place to be pushing the envelope?

So long as it’s professional drivers doing it on a closed course with factory support, and not some random idiot who bought one turning up on tourist day.

It's actually the pro driver I'm thinking of rather than the random idiot. Pros still make mistakes, overcook things, they still could have a tyre or suspension failure when pushing as hard as this and we know that the 'Ring is unforgiving and even with "factory support" medical intervention at some parts of the circuit may not be as timely as on a "regular" circuit. And, as others have said, it has all got rather academic now.

[thegreenhell]

Rumblestripe said:

Sandpit Steve said:

Rumblestripe said:

I can't help thinking that this 'Ring lap thing is going to end in someone having a very big off.

I get the romance of the place but is it really a good place to be pushing the envelope?

So long as it’s professional drivers doing it on a closed course with factory support, and not some random idiot who bought one turning up on tourist day.

It's actually the pro driver I'm thinking of rather than the random idiot. Pros still make mistakes, overcook things, they still could have a tyre or suspension failure when pushing as hard as this and we know that the 'Ring is unforgiving and even with "factory support" medical intervention at some parts of the circuit may not be as timely as on a "regular" circuit. And, as others have said, it has all got rather academic now.

There have already been accidents with professional drivers in record attempts, such as Marc Basseng totalling a Koenigsegg a few years ago.

[greggy50]

That is a quick lap but its only 4 seconds quicker than an M5 CS despite having 400+ bhp more.

A 2017 Guilia Quad is still nearly 10 seconds quicker as well despite having less than half the power and also I suspect tyres that are on that were not as fancy as that on the Tesla either...

I would expect a a Taycan with a similar power level to be 15 seconds faster than this and set a saloon production car record in the process as they actually handle a lot better.

[E90_M3Ross]

Sandpit Steve said:

tdm34 said:

Dohnut said:

Surely McMurty would wipe the floor here?

Now that would be interesting, maybe the first sub 7 minute lap?

I did wonder if McMurtry might have a go at this, or if the circuit is just too difficult (bumpy) for the way the car works with downforce? They should have just about enough battery for a lap, and it would be great to see them try. Theoretically, they’re faster than Bellof’s time, and well towards Timo Bernhard’s insane 919 EVO time.

If anything, the way the McMurtry generates downforce it'd be BETTER than a traditional aero car. Have a look at some videos, it is absolutely incredible. If you spin it, it's still generating downforce so the vehicle stops really rather quickly - so it is much less effected by bumps etc I'd have thought.

[dvs_dave]

WCZ said:

BrownEaredDog said:

Do you have a link? The only experienced ‘Ring driver vids I can find are with Dale Lomas and Misha Charoudin and they are just analyses.

I don’t doubt that it wasn’t the greatest car around the Nordschleife though, it’s something of a chungus and no amount of insane power, suspension tuning or sticky rubber is going to hide that

I think it was Misha Charoudin, I'd had a few beers when I was watching it but that's what I took away from the video !

I saw that and was left thinking, well no st it’s not the best track car. It’s a 2 and a half ton 5-door limo. Try doing the same in an S-class or a 7-series, I’m sure the takeaway would be similar. Of course there’s better handling cars on track.

Honestly, what were their expectations? That it’d be a light and nimble track monster, and when it turns out it isn’t, they’re all disappointed.

Oh, this 737 isn’t very agile compared to the Redbull Extra 300 I daily fly. Big disappointment, blah blah.

[dvs_dave]

PH, you need to update the article. It is an official Nurburgring lap time. It’s listed on their website. Both as a news item and under the EV lap record times.

NEW NÜRBURGRING RECORD FOR TESLA: 20.8 KILOMETERS IN 7:25.231

[VR6 Eug]

Cayman GT4 is just as quick with less than half the HP and the Cayman will drive much nicer and probably cheaper to buy!

[lotus116tornado]

Quicker than a 997 GT3 RS 4.0.

I have no interest in electric vehicles, especially one built by Musk but that is a very impressive time. Hats off to the team working in this project

[E90_M3Ross]

lotus116tornado said:

Quicker than a 997 GT3 RS 4.0.

I have no interest in electric vehicles, especially one built by Musk but that is a very impressive time. Hats off to the team working in this project

Is it that impressive? It has what, about 2x the power, more modern tyres and electric power which is more effective.

I'd still take the GT3 RS though

[GreatScott2016]

oedipus said:

McRors said:

Well done Tesla. However, watching the video, made it seem all rather soulless really. Magnificent engineering etc but sterile all the same. Perhaps I’m wrong.

It's different, sure, but I wouldn't equate noise with soul. What noise does do is give you an aural point of reference as to the state of the car (and to take full advantage of that you really need a manual to be able to adjust its dispostition at the moment of your choosing). And it's really important to have something you can hear to measure against when your eyes are working overtime dealing with the road in front of you. There's no reason why this feedback couldn't be produced in an EV, and, rather than being motivated a wish to nostalgically evoke the engine noise of ICEs, calibrated to provide even more information on the state of the vehicle.

Eloquently put, but I'd still still side with McRors comment

[E90_M3Ross]

oedipus said:

McRors said:

Well done Tesla. However, watching the video, made it seem all rather soulless really. Magnificent engineering etc but sterile all the same. Perhaps I’m wrong.

It's different, sure, but I wouldn't equate noise with soul. What noise does do is give you an aural point of reference as to the state of the car (and to take full advantage of that you really need a manual to be able to adjust its dispostition at the moment of your choosing). And it's really important to have something you can hear to measure against when your eyes are working overtime dealing with the road in front of you. There's no reason why this feedback couldn't be produced in an EV, and, rather than being motivated a wish to nostalgically evoke the engine noise of ICEs, calibrated to provide even more information on the state of the vehicle.

Eloquently put, but it isn't the whole story.

Humans have evolved over millions of years and throughout our history we have enjoyed making sounds and music. Sounds and music can change the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain (eg dopamine, serotonin) which make us feel good, happy, relaxed, invigorated etc.

This is one reason many just love the noise of certain engines. It connects to the ancestral brain and makes us feel emotion. Something an EV doesn't give, because they're silent.