Yes, there is no shift. However, the acceleration felt constant. The torque is completely flat. The power increases with rpm, but so does the resistance from the air. I think it levels out quite well.

If anyone had a speed/time curve for an EV, that would be great. Here typical torque and power curves (pulled from here: evMe » Power)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/...fa928de4ce.jpg

G

You know, I've never actually worn out an engine yet. I've owned a lot of cars, and driven quite a few of them until they had a ton of miles and I was just tired of them in general, but I've never actually worn one out. Some of them I kept for 25 years or more, but I just got tired of them sooner or later. It happens.

Batteries? Longest life I've ever seen from one has been 13 years and I thought that was some sort of a record.

No matter, that's not why I don't want a Tesla anyway.

JR

You've never done valve guides on an air cooled 911? There's always a first time

It's going to cost .. . well let's see here; what does that battery back cost? We know that it adds $50k to get the extra big battery pack option (as tested). . . so, it's safe to say that the battery costs more than a new Honda. ...I'm assuming that a new Honda cost more than the engine for a Honda.

How long will it last? Don't leave it sitting unplugged for months. ...or did they fix that problem?

In all seriousness, batteries are (relatively) temperamental and really effing expensive.

Nope. Just lucky, I guess. Or something...

JR

Well, lots of people own cars long enough to have engine failure or at least need significant engine work. If you add up all the money it takes to fix and maintain a conventional internal combustion engine and drivertrain, then compare that to a Tesla electric drivetrain, and measure it over 8 years or 100K miles my best guess is that the electric drivetrain would win the comparison. The batteries should last longer than 8 years or 100K miles. A modern gasoline engine of similar performance should last longer than 8 years or 100K miles.

But similar performance means M5 or Panamera Turbo......think those engines/drivetrains are cheap to fix?

IIRC both those cars out perform the Tesla. (odd that the Tesla manages only .92g w/ all that low weight) Anyway, you have to consider the usage people place on toy cars. --they often sit for months. ...who shells out 100+k for a car who doesn't have other cars?

...and, yeah, I expect that both those engines are pretty solid.

Not as quick off the line, but with a top speed of 150 mph (20mph faster than the Tesla S). ...and about the same price.

Porsche Panamera Diesel hits 37.3 mpg; provides 745 miles of range (in Europe)

I haven't seen any real differences in the longevity of cheap, basic motors versus the high end crap that I've owned. Maybe I'm lucky, or maybe I drive and maintain my stuff better than the average idiot.

Anyway, I lump this Tesla in with the car-is-appliance crowd. None of my "car enthusiast" buddies would pick it over an M5, Panamera, Maserati, or whatever. And I don't know any attention whores, so nobody I know will pick it because it's unique and they can be the only guy to have one. It just doesn't play around here, although at least one has been sold. Maybe it was bought by the eccentric weirdo that lives somewhere around here and has turned all of his cars into electric cars. I don't know.

So, I lump it into the category of the Hondas, Toyotas, etc. Basic transportation. Those last forever and don't cost much to maintain or rebuild, so I don't see a Tesla ever beating them on that count.

Doesn't matter. I still don't want one and I don't know why I'm even in this thread.... ;)

Have a good one,
JR

java

Apparently you do not live in LA. I predict this Tesla S to do well here. Lots of 30 mile commutes that need to be done "in style" and in the HOV lane. I had weeks when I saw more Tesla roadsters on the road than their cousin Lotus.

G

Not as quick off the line..... yeah, I think 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds versus 3.9 seconds is a bit of a delta.

A new Camry is one second faster to sixty than that diesel Panamera and is EPA rated 30 mpg freeway (a much more difficult cycle than the EU rating for the Porsche)......all for less than one-third the price of the oil burning Panapiggy.

That much should be obvious from my signature. :rolleyes:

As much as I would enjoy living in LA, it would not turn me into someone who gives **** about what other people think of me, just because I drive a Tesla. Or a Prius.

I'm sure it will do well in LA, until something cooler comes along, for the poseurs to flock to.

JR

I don't think you have to be a poseur to appreciate the HOV lane in L.A. traffic, escaping higher L.A. fuel prices (compared to Tulsa, OK), and getting 100 mpge.

Judged on its merits, it's a pleasant luxury car. Silent, smooth, quick.... perfect for LA or any other around-town daily drive.

Hey, I'd ride one of my bikes. Sunny skies and 75 degrees...

Much more fun and fairly frugal...

JR

6.7s is the Porsche factory number. IIRC, Tesla gives 4.4s for their S. I agree that's a delta. ...but not NEARLY as big of a delta for range-- 745miles vs 300. ...and refills for the Panamera are easy.

From my positive personal experience driving a grande Porsche between San Diego and Seattle, I would absolutely choose the Porsche. ...or a Mercedes. ...Definitely NOT a Camry. --And those Butt Hurt seats of the Tesla don't sound inviting either.

someone should cross-correlate the haters on this thread with the ones on the Volt thread...

Or the earlier Tesla S thread. :)

G

When are you getting yours, Webb?

Yeah, thought so.

The Tesla is a great idea for other people but not you, right?

That is, I certainly don't Hate the car. I was very intrigued by the 50k price and all of those great stat's . . . but then found out those stat's are for the version over $100k

ok, we have 1 hater

That slow, not-so-great-fuel-economy diesel Panapiggy you linked is well over $100K as well. Luxury costs money. In this class, $70K doesn't buy as much as you'd think. Heck, my neighbor's new SL65 AMG was just a tad under $300K and another's F350 was over $60K....for a pickup!