Chris Harris discussing new Tesla Model S 'Plaid'
Discussion
Speed matters - up to a point. When you get to these sort of 0-60 numbers it's just a "watch this" moment while you show off to a mate. It's not adding anything more to the fun of driving on a country road or anywhere else really. The difference between 4s and 2s 0-60 is academic in reality and uncomfortable in practice.
To be fair, this problem isn't just for electric cars. There's a long list of journos who've been saying for ages that Mclarens etc are now simply too fast to fully exploit on the road. Electric cars just democtratise this.
Frankly it's just marketing headlines for people who don't drive for fun.
To be fair, this problem isn't just for electric cars. There's a long list of journos who've been saying for ages that Mclarens etc are now simply too fast to fully exploit on the road. Electric cars just democtratise this.
Frankly it's just marketing headlines for people who don't drive for fun.
Personally I quite enjoy having 500bhp on tap. I’m a bit odd like that. It’s not just 0-60. It’s also fun to kick from 20-40 on a rising steep hill or coming out of a slow bend. There is not a huge number of opportunities to enjoy fast cars on boring roads. Seems odd to downplay the fun and accuse those who enjoy it as faking their enjoyment to show off. Perhaps they do genuinely enjoy it?
lizardbrain said:
Personally I quite enjoy having 500bhp on tap. I’m a bit odd like that. It’s not just 0-60. It’s also fun to kick from 20-40 on a rising steep hill or coming out of a slow bend. There is not a huge number of opportunities to enjoy fast cars on boring roads. Seems odd to downplay the fun and accuse those who enjoy it as faking their enjoyment to show off. Perhaps they do genuinely enjoy it?
We're talking 1100bhp in this thread though 
I can totally appreciate the kick, but I reckon if you had 1100bhp you'd carry on enjoying a 500bhp kick and not venture into the full 1100bhp except once or twice just to see what it's like.
RobDickinson said:
Seriously, if this had a Porsche or Mercedes badge on this site would s
t their pants over it.
Only if it handled well, and not even then at timest their pants over it. A Porsche that drives badly is shredded. And look at the reviews of the 4 pot cayman, more powerful, quicker than what went before and better fuel economy but disliked by many.
giveitfish said:
Speed matters - up to a point. When you get to these sort of 0-60 numbers it's just a "watch this" moment while you show off to a mate. It's not adding anything more to the fun of driving on a country road or anywhere else really. The difference between 4s and 2s 0-60 is academic in reality and uncomfortable in practice.
To be fair, this problem isn't just for electric cars. There's a long list of journos who've been saying for ages that Mclarens etc are now simply too fast to fully exploit on the road. Electric cars just democtratise this.
Frankly it's just marketing headlines for people who don't drive for fun.
Absolutely wrong...To be fair, this problem isn't just for electric cars. There's a long list of journos who've been saying for ages that Mclarens etc are now simply too fast to fully exploit on the road. Electric cars just democtratise this.
Frankly it's just marketing headlines for people who don't drive for fun.
0-60 is one thing for the fast EVs but make no mistake that this translates to rapid progress on a country road or anywhere else. 30-70 is equally impressive as is 70-110. These EVs are fast everywhere - yes, not as dynamic or fun or engaging as a traditional sports/super car and of course slower around a track or country road than some things but still fast as f*ck.
I am excited for the first true EV sports cars to emerge.
I just think they should be putting more R & D into designing an EV that can do 800-1000 miles on a single charge rather than making 1000bhp with 0-60 times of 2 seconds! With road regulations and lowering speed limits on so many roads now all this performance is somewhat pointless. And I enjoy a fast motor!
Reducing weight would be a good start on this mission, not adding more motors.
Reducing weight would be a good start on this mission, not adding more motors.
ColdoRS said:
Absolutely wrong...
0-60 is one thing for the fast EVs but make no mistake that this translates to rapid progress on a country road or anywhere else. 30-70 is equally impressive as is 70-110. These EVs are fast everywhere - yes, not as dynamic or fun or engaging as a traditional sports/super car and of course slower around a track or country road than some things but still fast as f*ck.
I am excited for the first true EV sports cars to emerge.
Errr... did you even read what I said? Parrot in aisle 6?0-60 is one thing for the fast EVs but make no mistake that this translates to rapid progress on a country road or anywhere else. 30-70 is equally impressive as is 70-110. These EVs are fast everywhere - yes, not as dynamic or fun or engaging as a traditional sports/super car and of course slower around a track or country road than some things but still fast as f*ck.
I am excited for the first true EV sports cars to emerge.
I know they’re fast, I said they’re fast. I drive a Model 3 everyday. It’s bloody impressive and its only mid spec.
My point however is that each additional increment from here on in gets less and less relevant to actual driving and only appeals to those who jizz over Top Trumps stats.
1100bhp is impressive yet utterly pointless, and is really a cheap way for Tesla to paper over the fact they have no replacement in sight for the 9 year old Model S.
Lincsls1 said:
Smiljan said:
The EU and Uk are adopting it too, New cars getting type approval after May 2022 have to have them and models type approved before that but still being made have to have it by 2024.
If you wonder why lots of cars are getting traffic sign recognition built in, wonder no more, it’s mandated to bleep and flash over the speed limit until you or the car reduce speed back down to or below the signed limit.
Welcome to the future
Don't worry, there will be an off button [to start off with] I'm sure.If you wonder why lots of cars are getting traffic sign recognition built in, wonder no more, it’s mandated to bleep and flash over the speed limit until you or the car reduce speed back down to or below the signed limit.
Welcome to the future
TX.
giveitfish said:
ColdoRS said:
Absolutely wrong...
0-60 is one thing for the fast EVs but make no mistake that this translates to rapid progress on a country road or anywhere else. 30-70 is equally impressive as is 70-110. These EVs are fast everywhere - yes, not as dynamic or fun or engaging as a traditional sports/super car and of course slower around a track or country road than some things but still fast as f*ck.
I am excited for the first true EV sports cars to emerge.
Errr... did you even read what I said? Parrot in aisle 6?0-60 is one thing for the fast EVs but make no mistake that this translates to rapid progress on a country road or anywhere else. 30-70 is equally impressive as is 70-110. These EVs are fast everywhere - yes, not as dynamic or fun or engaging as a traditional sports/super car and of course slower around a track or country road than some things but still fast as f*ck.
I am excited for the first true EV sports cars to emerge.
I know they’re fast, I said they’re fast. I drive a Model 3 everyday. It’s bloody impressive and its only mid spec.
My point however is that each additional increment from here on in gets less and less relevant to actual driving and only appeals to those who jizz over Top Trumps stats.
1100bhp is impressive yet utterly pointless, and is really a cheap way for Tesla to paper over the fact they have no replacement in sight for the 9 year old Model S.
Ah, ok. I misunderstood - I thought you were saying a fast 0-60 doesn’t make the car any better on a country road. To which I was arguing it does, as it translates to faster 30-70 times etc...
Anyway, fellow M3 driver and I agree it is bloody impressive
Heres Johnny said:
A car with 1000bhp will be quicker than an otherwise identical car with 500bhp - that’s kind of obvious so long as you use your right foot wisely
But a car with 1000bhp isn’t necessarily quicker than a different car with 500bhp on a country road.
This is absolutely correct.But a car with 1000bhp isn’t necessarily quicker than a different car with 500bhp on a country road.
The Porsche 911 base model C2 is a perfect example here, as been shown to kick the arse of many a car with 100-150bhp more around a track and across a country road between 2 points over a couple of miles.
Lincsls1 said:
I just think they should be putting more R & D into designing an EV that can do 800-1000 miles on a single charge rather than making 1000bhp with 0-60 times of 2 seconds! With road regulations and lowering speed limits on so many roads now all this performance is somewhat pointless. And I enjoy a fast motor!
Reducing weight would be a good start on this mission, not adding more motors.
Lots of R&D going into improving battery tech to provide range and weight improvements and the two things aren't mutually exclusive anyway?Reducing weight would be a good start on this mission, not adding more motors.
800-1000 miles of range? Why would that be a target and who is it going to benefit for the massive investment involved? Surely if they can improve battery power density a 4-500 mile range and half the pack weight would be preferable for the vast majority?
Lincsls1 said:
This is absolutely correct.
The Porsche 911 base model C2 is a perfect example here, as been shown to kick the arse of many a car with 100-150bhp more around a track and across a country road between 2 points over a couple of miles.
100% agree. No way the Model S P100D will be as fast on a B Road blast as our Model 3 P despite a considerable bhp advantage. Too big, heavy and not setup for that kind of scenario in comparison.The Porsche 911 base model C2 is a perfect example here, as been shown to kick the arse of many a car with 100-150bhp more around a track and across a country road between 2 points over a couple of miles.
Edited by SWoll on Saturday 3rd April 12:03
Edited by SWoll on Saturday 3rd April 12:03
I used to have one of the early Model S’s - RWD, P85+ - i think was about 400bhp and 0-60 in just over 4s. It handled like a big heavy barge.
I now have a Model 3 Performance, and the ride and handling are in a different league. Yes, it’s still a heavy car, but having previously owned an Elise, V8 Esprit and a 997C2S, i can truthfully say it handles pretty damn well for what it is.
Now if they could make the new / updated (whatever it is) S handle similarly, then they’ll be on to a winner. I’m guessing the Plaid+ has the new batteries (announced in September) in the new chassis approach, ie making the battery pack and integral part of the chassis - maybe it will handle better?
I now have a Model 3 Performance, and the ride and handling are in a different league. Yes, it’s still a heavy car, but having previously owned an Elise, V8 Esprit and a 997C2S, i can truthfully say it handles pretty damn well for what it is.
Now if they could make the new / updated (whatever it is) S handle similarly, then they’ll be on to a winner. I’m guessing the Plaid+ has the new batteries (announced in September) in the new chassis approach, ie making the battery pack and integral part of the chassis - maybe it will handle better?
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