Author Topic: MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85  (Read 2172 times)

protomech

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MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85
« on: August 29, 2012, 01:27:25 PM »
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1208_2012_tesla_model_s_test_and_range_verification/

Synopsis:
MT does a track test, recharges the S in range mode, and then blasts off (okay, 65 mph without AC) for a destination around 240 miles away.

They just barely miss it, detouring to charge briefly at 233.7 miles, with the car showing 4 miles remaining.

MT pegs the competition for the Model S as the bg German performance sedans. The Euro sedans pack around 100-150 more peak hp, similar 0-60 stats, around half a second better quarter mile ETs, and 5-10 mph better trap speeds.

Porsche Panamera Turbo: 3.5s 0-60, 11.9 @ 114.7 mph, 4486 lbs, 500 hp, $136,275
MB CLS63 AMG: 3.9s 0-60, 12.1s @ 121.3 mph, 4256 lbs, 550 hp, $95775
BMW M5: 3.7s 0-60, 11.9s @ 120.3 mph, 4384 lbs, 560 hp, $95000 (est)

Tesla S P85: 3.9s 0-60, 12.5s @ 110.9 mph, 4766 lbs, 416 hp, $84900 (after $7500 federal credit)

Porsche Panamera 4S: 4.2s 0-60, 12.8s @ 108 mph, 4247 lbs, 400 hp, $96175
MB CLS550: 4.3s 0-60, 12.8s @ 110.6 mph, 4183 lbs, 402 hp, $72175
BMW 550i: 4.8s 0-60, 13.3s @ 106.9 mph, 4354 lbs, 400 hp, $62400

Considering performance and price, the S P85 splits the difference between the performance sedans and their slightly lower versions. Considering power/weight ratios, the S is convincingly superior to its gas competition.

***

So what's different when the Tesla S is compared to its gas counterparts and the Zero S is compared to its gas counterparts?

I think much of it comes down to power and performance goals. The Model S has a top speed around 130 mph, much lower than the top Euro sedans which are bumping up against 200 mph. For operation on the street, 130 mph is overkill. For operation on a track, or a quarter mile strip.. 130 mph is still overkill. It's only on perhaps the German autobahn, or a miles-long test strip, where the transmission allows the gas cars to hit their top speeds. The Model S has enough power for very fast performance at street-legal speeds, while still allowing it to be geared well for track use.

The Zero S has a very similar top speed to 250cc gas bikes like the CBR250R and the Ninja 250R .. 85-90 mph, which is occasionally useful for passing maneuvers on the freeway. Despite making as much or a bit more power as the gas bikes, though, the Zero is a bit slower in the 0-60 and quarter mile metrics.

If the Zero was geared for (say) 60 mph, roughly 2/3 of the top speed of the gas bikes? It would crush them. Just as the Tesla does.

I think the moral of this story is that while a transmission has significant performance advantages for 25-40 kW class bikes when they're geared for similar top speeds for their gas counterparts, I think we'll see the performance benefit from a transmission disappear as we move beyond the Empulse in power.
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Mithion

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Re: MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2012, 01:37:55 PM »
So basically your saying a transmission on an electric vehicle is only beneficial up to a certain Kw/HP amount? How much more Kw/HP would an electric bike need to truly compete in every way with an ICE bike performance wise? And would a transmission be needed or not?

protomech

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Re: MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2012, 04:46:17 PM »
Maybe I need to think this through a little more.

The Roadster has around 12 pounds per hp with a 200 lb passenger.
The Model S P85 has around 12 pounds per hp with a 200 lb passenger.

Maybe around 9 pounds per hp for a bike?

So for a 470 pound Empulse plus a 200 pound rider, somewhere around 74 hp = 56 kW.

Current Empulse + rider is 12.6 pounds per hp.

Current Zero S + rider is 17 pounds per hp.

If the Zero S doubled its power (without touching weight) then it would see little performance benefit from a transmission in street or track riding IMO.
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Richard230

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Re: MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 04:45:37 PM »
Speaking of Motor Trend, it has been widely reported in the national news today that Motor Trend magazine has named the Model S to be its 2013 "Car of the Year".  :)  The Model S beat out cars such as BMW's new 3-series sedan, Ford Motor's Fusion sedan, Honda Motor's revamped Accord and Toyota Motor's 2013 Lexus GS. This is the first time in their history that the magazine has ever given the award to an electric vehicle.

MT's editor-in-chief, Edward Loh, is quoted as saying: "It is a testament not only to the luxury sedan and electric car segment, but to American engineering overall, to be the first car in the 64-year history of the award to be powered by something other than gasoline must mean it is very special."

The company's stock shares have increased 8.8% so far this year.
current bikes: 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2007 BMW R1200R, 2005 Triumph T-100 Bonneville, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

protomech

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Re: MotorTrend reviews Elon Musk's Personal Model S P85
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2013, 06:18:00 PM »
You really don't want to line your $89,800 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan up against your friend's $87,400 Tesla Model S P85 (from ABG).



The Tesla Model S appears to let off at the end (110 mph), a few seconds before the E63 catches up. Given more road the E63 would eventually pass the S with the S pinned at its tops peed of 130 mph.

Someone in the ABG thread pointed out Tesla's stock. TSLA is up 39% over 6 months ago and 92% over 12 months ago.
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