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Test drove the Tesla Model S today
#1466748
06/01/2014 07:03
06/01/2014 07:03
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,242 Sevenoaks
mrc
OP
Club member 25
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OP
Club member 25
Competition Level
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,242
Sevenoaks
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Well, as I'm in California at the moment I decided to take a Tesla Model S (P85 version) for a test drive! I have to say, the staff were extremely nice (maybe it was my British accent) and had no problem with me taking the car for a spin. Now, I'm as much of a petrolhead as any of you reading this, but this brand and car has got me thinking (well just a bit). The test drive was amazing, I got a bit of motorway action where my foot got very heavy and the car just kept producing very smooth power on acceleration (the car produces 416ph). Then I headed onto some very windy coastal roads where I never needed to brake as every time I lifted off the throttle the wheel regenerators work like brakes as they recharge the battery! Just thought I would share!
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: mrc]
#1466755
06/01/2014 08:20
06/01/2014 08:20
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Lego
Unregistered
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Lego
Unregistered
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& interesting Just googled a pic of one. Looks like a Maserati !
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: mrc]
#1466799
06/01/2014 12:50
06/01/2014 12:50
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,886 Auld Reekie
Edinburgh
Club President, member225
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Club President, member225
Forum veteran
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,886
Auld Reekie
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This is a seriously quick job! At 4.2 secs to 60 mph you'd have to plan your digestive habits Mileage between charges limited if travelling long distances - 300 miles at estimated 55 mph. even if in many American states that's the speed limit. That's with the "super" battery option and with "careful" driving. Stylish design though
BumbleBee carer
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: mrc]
#1466838
06/01/2014 14:56
06/01/2014 14:56
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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These cars a great for commuting, where you just recharge overnight, but as you say the recharge time is an issue if you want to go on holdiay or something. That is where cars like the Vauxhall Ampera come in - when the battery runs out, the petrol engine kicks in. I wonder why these cars don't make more use of roof mounted solar cells to give you some top up charge. Perhaps the technology isn't quite there yet. Ampera The Tesla looks like a cross between a Maserati Quattroporte and a Vauxhall insignia...
Last edited by Gripped; 06/01/2014 14:57.
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: barnacle]
#1466902
06/01/2014 18:34
06/01/2014 18:34
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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The main reason is that the power of the sun, directly overhead, is a maximum of about a kilowatt per square meter. Conversion efficiencies drops that to about 400W/m^2 so you're going to see at best only a horsepower or so; probably not enough to do a lot while travelling although there is the possibility of faster charging with smart fresnel lenses over a parking slot...
Yeah, I wasn't suggesting solar would be the main power source, just that solar would provide some battery top up, if say you were parked in a sunny car park all day. You might get a few more miles of range.... or get you home. I presume you'd have to have the added complication of an inverter... Some Toyota Prius's have solar, but they just power some of the interior functions rather than the main battery.
Last edited by Gripped; 06/01/2014 18:36.
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: Gripped]
#1466948
06/01/2014 21:53
06/01/2014 21:53
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Lego
Unregistered
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Lego
Unregistered
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These cars a great for commuting, where you just recharge overnight, but as you say the recharge time is an issue if you want to go on holdiay or something. That is where cars like the Vauxhall Ampera come in - when the battery runs out, the petrol engine kicks in. I wonder why these cars don't make more use of roof mounted solar cells to give you some top up charge. Perhaps the technology isn't quite there yet. Ampera The Tesla looks like a cross between a Maserati Quattroporte and a Vauxhall insignia... Yes the Ampera is a very clever car and where the Petrol engine is essentially used to drive the generator to recharge the batteries not to mechanically power the car, though it can assist mechanically as well. This gives it a great range as you can use the engine(by filling up with petrol) to charge the batteries on the move if there is no opportunity/availability or time to charge via external power source.
Last edited by Lego; 06/01/2014 21:54.
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: mrc]
#1529276
11/03/2015 21:34
11/03/2015 21:34
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Nello
Unregistered
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Nello
Unregistered
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By coincidence I saw a red Model S this morning following me home - I knew what it was as I had seen a black one going around Coventry. In the afternoon I went to pick my youngest up and the black one parked right next to me. Had a chat and a look around with the owner - Owns his own Property renovation business - Looked superb I have to say. Massive touch screen panel on the dash. The recharge time would peeve me but to me the best Electric car yet. Real prescence and style. Watch this and the bit showing the bodyless chassis - hardly anything to it!
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Re: Test drove the Tesla Model S today
[Re: mrc]
#1529292
11/03/2015 22:35
11/03/2015 22:35
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nissansteve
Unregistered
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nissansteve
Unregistered
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I saw a red one the other day. Impressive figures for a two tonne milk float
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