The Tesla Model S is an extraordinary car, not merely because it can out-accelerate an Aston Martin up to three figures and beyond, or because it has a range of over 250 miles; it’s also just a very good thing to drive in its own right.
It rides properly, it handles tidily, it steers with feel and precision, it stops much like a normal sports saloon stops, i.e. better than most folks would ever believe. It’s also roomy and well made inside.
And yet… I’m not convinced that the message about how excellent this car is (and therefore how good other EVs like it will surely become) is getting through. Until you drive it for yourself, it’s hard if not impossible to imagine how well resolved the Model S is, so I don’t blame anyone for thinking “Yeah but they’re just talking it up unrealistically in order to fill the pages of their magazine.”
Video: Tesla Model S vs Aston Martin Rapide S
But if you are still having difficulty in believing us about how good the Model S is, believe the punters who have bought them in the United States instead. In the first quarter of 2013 this car very nearly outsold the 7-Series, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi A8 combined. Think about that.
What’s also key is that, having outsold the big name German manufacturers so convincingly this year in the USA, Tesla’s customer service support also appears to be similarly out of this world.
There is a distinct dearth of whispers on the internet about how poor Tesla’s after-sales support is, despite there now being several thousand Model S owners out there, most if not all of whom appear to be very happy indeed with their cars.
It’s reminiscent of the way Lexus went about changing peoples’ perception of what after-sales could be all about when it unleashed the original LS400 all those years ago.
One day, cars like the Tesla Model S will become commonplace on our roads – not to the point that all we will be driving are EVs but at least to a level where all of us will at some point drive or be driven in one.
Video: Tesla Model S vs Aston Martin Rapide S
And when that happens, when in 15 years' time there is a mix of hybrid, perhaps hydrogen, some conventional combustion engine powered and an awful lot of electrically propelled vehicles buzzing about on our roads, I will look back and remember the first time I drove the Model S.
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The Tesla Factor
@269 - I'm indeed entitled to my views and so are you to yours. That is why we have such lovely forums where we can express our opinions no matter how hackneyed they may be seen by others and vice versa.
As for my comments re the bosses of the mighty VW I mean no disrespect. Under it's current leadership the VW seems totally geared towards profits. And to give the devil his due - they're doing awfully well.
However good accountants as they may be, their contribution to motoring innovations is rather poorly. If Tesla can nearly quadruple EV range just 3 years on from Leaf - don't you ever wonder what VW could do?
Back to 2000
@269 - Its a bit like clocks have turned back to year 2000. When Toyota brought us the first hybrid and the self-styled petrol heads rose up in arms against it.
Move forward to 2013 and all car makers are making or trying to make hybrid cars. Give EVs time, they will start to make sense to you and your employers too.
@ Fadylady -Back to 2000
You are of course entitled to your views, but I firmly believe you are wrong. EV's are dead in the water. Even Hybrids are going to have a short shelf life. Renault know it too but they are in so deep they cant back out without losing face.
We will see in 5 years time who is right!
As for the comments from America by doc 26 re Tesla.....America, and especially California, is not the real world. Europe will not follow.
tesla Model S
haha
well, I don't live in California. Teslas are still a novelty where I live- which is the only "con" to driving it. yes, its awesome that people constantly wave at you and want to take photos with your car. I've never owned an Aston Martin or anything, so maybe its similar. It's still a car most people have only read about in my city. but I am seriously very concerned that it will get stolen. Hopefully that GPS tracking will be useful- but its kind of like dating a supermodel. Cool, but you can kind of become paranoid. I'm amazed its still in my parking spot every morning.
and just for the record, I'm not sure Tesla is worth $200 a share. there is definitely a lot of hype around the car right now- because it really is something completely different. And I don't understand the negativity in Europe. It seems like a more natural car for Europeans with your ridiculous gas prices. It is a little large for European streets and you will have to wait a little longer for your Supercharger network- but those are both kind of minor. If I can drive it in the States easily where distances are so far apart- what is the paranoia about driving in a little island like England? Obviously, the Tesla planned $35,000 car due in 3-5 years will be more accessible there and here, but the Model S is like owning the first Mac. It's... sigh, I lack the words
Maybe they will upload a new software add on that will give you the option of the sound of a gas motor with some vibrations and everyone will be happy. I personally like the silence. My personalized music track that my Tesla chooses for me sounds better.
@doc26
I am relieved to hear you don't live in California...particularly since the whole state will inevitably slide into the ocean one day ;0)
I think there is a more general negativity to all things (cars) made in the States within Europe...add to that a distrust of EV's in general other than cheap(well relatively) runabouts like Twizy...and even that hasn't taken off, and you have a mountain to climb to gain even interest let alone sales.
If M-B/Audi/ or BMW produces a Tesla size/price executive electric car, it might get some headlines, but very few executives are prepared to give up 5-600 mile ranges from their current diesels (and I hate diesels with a passion believe me). They probably will be tempted by Hybrids.
Nobody really knows who the hell Tesla is over here, and whether they will still be around in a few years time, so warranty could be a big issue which would be heavily punished in second hand values.
There are big issues with resale values, the industry guides are very nervous of putting values on EV's mainly because of the enormous cost associated with replacement batteries...akin to an engine replacement!
So far most EV's have had big range issues, particularly in our trying winters...it is likened to permanently driving around with the low fuel light on...uncomfortable at best and distracting at worst.
Finally, for any red blooded petrol head, the thought of a synthesised engine note is just really ...well, sad! It was really noticeable at the Festival-of Speed that every time an electric car drove up the hill, no matter how quickly the spectators turned away and started chatting amongst themselves.
I wish you well with your Tesla, I really do. If it suits you that's great, but I don't expect to see too many of them over this side of the pond....its expensive, the name means nothing here (badge snobbery) and what does this car say about you at the Golf Club....(.that hot bed of one- upmanship and Alpha males).....weird or trying to make a point?
Tesla Model S
Sigh, reading these comments is frustrating. I realize just a few weeks ago, I was a naysayer- but then I went to Silicon Valley and saw Tesla after Tesla. I read about the car. And then I drove one- and bam, I drank the Kool Aid. I feel like Steve is where I am now- post Kool Aid. I think of it like crossing the line in a paradigm shift, once you get it you just don't understand how other people don't. I love the Tesla. Passionately. I haven't felt this way about a car.. ever. Maybe my first iPhone. Why do you think the stock suddenly went from 30$ to almost $200 over the summer? People are starting to get it.
To clarify some things that annoy me because people don't seem to read up on the Tesla first:
1. Supercharging stations are free to charge with the performance model or a $2,000 one time add on to the regular model. Yes, if you charge it at home you have to pay your electricity bill. My condo complex is installing a charger and many people in the city will share it for brief charges during the day. When we get a Supercharger in a few months that won't be as necessary. The whole USA will be covered more or less by the end of 2014. Norway already almost is. It takes about 20 minutes to charge. That's really not that bad.
2. Tesla powers plans to power its charging stations and company with Solar City power (Musk's other company that he built for this purpose). You are not burning fuel to charge it
3. You get 300 miles to the charge. Seriously, how much do you time do you plan to spend charging? I don't drive 300 miles in a day. I share the charger with others at night or for a few hours on a break once a week or so. I sometimes use the free 4-5 EV chargers in the city when necessary- which is never
4. This isn't supposed to compete with an Aston Martin people! It has great performance (damn, just drive in it. the acceleration is insane). It costs about $62,000 for a relatively basic model. There is no maintenance required (oil changes, etc.) and fuel is oh, FREE. come on, that's a good deal for a great car. Plus, we get to drive in the HUV lane for free in most states
And the government GIVES you money to buy one ($7500). even in the US where gas is cheap, that's a good deal
5. tesla guarantees a buy back value. plus, given the current ridiculous demand in the states, you can sell it pretty easily if you really don't like it for some reason
6. if you seriously can't wait 20 minutes to charge the car Musk has a new system at Supercharging stations where they unscrew the battery from the car in about 1 minute and replace it with a new one. They can do 3 in the time it takes to pump a tank of gas (watch the video). It costs $60 to do it, but that's half the cost of a tank of gas if you are in a hurry.
Welcome to the Revolution. I hope you guys drive in one before you post all of this negativity
Tesla Model S
Doc 26,
Thanks for coming on here and giving us your real-life feedback. A couple of queries:
> Your #2: Tesla plan to use solar power but, if most people charge their cars overnight (your #3), that will only work if each charger is actually a large accumulator which can be powered up when the sun is out. Is that the plan?
It has to be said, as well, that solar power is heavily subsidised for public systems via additional taxes on power bills. Maybe Tesla are going to bear all the costs and charge the full price? It would be interesting to work out the size of array needed to keep each car on the road.
> Your #6: That battery replacement surprises me because, when I looked at the Tesla website, they explained that the battery is part of the structure of the car and is plumbed into a cooling system etc. I will have to take a look at how they do that swap - it is the obvious way to go and leads into a battery leasing system which gets round the concerns about longevity and performance decay.
> What happens if you do not use the car for a while? Do you have to leave it plugged in if you are away for more than, say, a week?
> I have read that, if the battery is completely drained, it has to be replaced: are you aware of any such concern?
Tesla Model S
Unfortunately, this website won't let me post links, so you will have to google some of this
1. yes, the solar power is stored and is free to use for Tesla owners. there are panels on top of the stations. remember, this is just the supercharging stations that are solar powered by SolarCity. your home charger, if you use it, runs on whatever system you get your electricity from. Musk actually thinks that these will generate enough power to have excess power to push back to the grid even after charging Teslas. They already exist, so obviously they have them working. i think eventually Musk wants to make the excess power generated from the stations as a revenue stream
2. the battery swap is really cool to watch! I don't know if they plan to have it at every station- it was only recently introduced. you can watch a video on the Tesla website under "Battery Swap" (next to Supercharging station link). It is an interesting concept. Right now, you pay $60 for the swap at the station and your original battery is delivered to your home and reinstalled. This seems kind of silly to me but they want owners to retain the value of their car. Musk invented it to help people who didn't want to wait 20 minutes at a station. Obviously, it makes sense to me that this will turn into some sort of leasing plan. For example, say I want to sell my car used. It would retain a lot more value if the buyer could be part of a plan that ensures a constant battery supply through leasing and battery exchange. The cars would be worth much more for a much longer time since their value would not be tied to the battery.
3. not sure about the battery being completely drained. it hasn't been an issue but I can read the manual. was also never mentioned to me by anyone. Haven't heard any other drivers mention that either so I have a hard time believing it would be true. i know the car is supposed to function best if it isn't 100% charged, but i usually do that anyway. i haven't had the car that long so i am not an expert, but there are a lot of people out there who are very happy 1 year out