Posted on 10/03/2011 7:27:21 AM PDT by thackney
Electric carmaker Tesla got gearheads buzzing this weekend with its announcement of a tweak to its Model S luxury sedan to give it super speed. The souped up version will go 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and get about 320 miles per charge.
Green Car Reports has more on the specs:
The sportier version features the same 85 kilowatt-hour, 300 miles-per-charge battery pack found in the 2012 Model S Signature series.
“That’s quicker than a [Porsche] 911 [Carrera],” joked [Tesla CEO Elon] Musk. “Not bad for an electric luxury sedan.”
In fact, it’s better than some of the gas-powered cars in its class, including a few that Tesla fans say look remarkably similar to the Model S:
•Supercharged Jaguar XF: 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds
•Maserati Quattroporte 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds
•Aston Martin Rapide 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds
•Volvo S60: 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds
Want more? Check out this clip of Model S test cars on the track:
My friend has a Tesla Roadster...I can tell you from first hand experience, this car is a rocket ship!
All torque. You are pushed back in the seat and you stay there until the foot comes off the pedal. The most interesting thing besides the speed is no gear changes. It just keeps accelerating with no let up. That’s how you build an electric car folks!
Charging the batteries that quickly shortens their lives.
The faster you charge the packs, the more you shorten their life.
It can be done though, if the high power charge station is available.
I can use it about 7 months a year in Minnesota.
where do I take it when it breaks?
I drove by the old NUMMI plant yesterday and saw the Tesla sign...
F U B O
“Profits from the Model S are expected to fund development of a more affordable third vehicle codenamed “BlueStar” “
What are the odds that this “affordable” model never gets built to any degree short of a major Obama cash infusion.
How often do people take long trips? Once or twice a year? I see electrics as a good second car or one to give your college age child. For around town is good—but for a long trip you need another gas fired car.
What we need is a good cheap electric—not a feel good electric sedan for rich liberals to think they are saving the world.
The Porsche Carrera beats the crap out of the Tesla on the 0-full tank test.
Combined peak output is claimed to be 1,088 horsepower and 2,800 pound-feet of torque, which Rimac says will rocket the Concept One from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and see it reach an electronically limited top speed of 190 mph.
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What street rated tires do they believe can convert 2,800 ft-lbs of torque to pavement?
“Concerning road trips...........how often do you stop for gas?”
From the Tesla website:
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The Universal Mobile Connector is ideal for road trips. Fully recharge – from empty to full – in less than 6 hours. The NEMA 14-50 adapter is included. Additional adapters (purchased separately) enable the Roadster to plug into nearly any outlet, anywhere.
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Got 6 hours to spend every 300 miles?
I could use this around town, but for a road trip? Not so much.
“How often do people take long trips? Once or twice a year?”
I agree. I think the ultimate solution to our energy problems isn’t any one solution. It will be a variety. For me, I could use an electric car. But there is no way I’m spending the money they want for class of car. Same for hybrids.
An electric car that could go up to 300 miles on a charge is going to work for me for 95% of what I do. I’m married, so if she has a gas fired car, and I had a reasonable electric... less gas used, and we have the flexibility of a road trip car in the family.
In my mind, none of the electrics are intended for the single vehicle owner with multiple use needs.
If you want to haul stuff, travel long distances, and only own one car, this is never going to be the car for you.
That said, if enough people get electric cars, I could easily see someone renting a streamline generator on a trailer for this application.
Yep...that is a problem. They need to find a faster way to charge them. The guy in the video, at the drag strip, said he can charge his batteries in 15-20 minutes. How does he do that?
That was a question that I had.....the life of the battery with a fast charge. Batteries aren’t cheap. Just look at the cost of batteries for a solar system.
The sun is battery powered? (Just kidding!)
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