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Sounds really good on paper but the production is scheduled for 2020, so it’s unfair to compare it to the cars currently on the market. No other manufacturers a

by in3d 9y ago

Sounds really good on paper but the production is scheduled for 2020, so it’s unfair to compare it to the cars currently on the market. No other manufacturers announce cars so far ahead so it seems at least partly like a hype for Tesla investors. Acceleration is just one part of what makes a great sports car. And how is the acceleration past 100 mph? That’s the traditional weakness of electric cars and it matters more on the track. How about its weight, brakes, turning, steering feel, grip, suspension, weight distribution (it should be quite good), downforce? Will the battery last for a full track day? Of course sound has always been a very important part of what made sports cars exhilarating to drive and Tesla can’t compete there. And the design and brand matter too. Ferrari and Lamborghini don’t make $40k cars (or even $100k cars).

mtgx 9y ago
> No other manufacturers announce cars so far ahead Surely, you're joking? Virtually every carmaker has announced a whole bunch of electric cars for 2020-2021 (without giving nearly as many details or demoing the cars already). And that's discounting their "concept cars".
- in3d 9y ago
  With their acceleration stats that cause all the excitement?
- brandon272 9y ago
  Ford announced their Bronco a while back that isn’t available til the 2020 model year.
semi-extrinsic 9y ago
> And how is the acceleration after 100 mph? This. If you're buying a supercar to actually drive on a track, this is key. Any specs relating to what happens below 100 mph are worthless. If you spend any significant percentage of time going so slow, you need to spend ~$8k on a BMW E36 M3 instead, and learn how to drive. But if you buy a supercar mainly to park in front of Harrods, 0-60 time is... still worthless.
- wastedhours 9y ago
  Not to be a Tesla apologist, but how many people track their supercars? Or at least proportionally to road use? An Aventador is pretty crummy as a track car, and its performance is all but unusable on the roads (unless, ahem, liberties are taken). A lot of the appeal is in the perception of performance and that initial acceleration. It's putting your foot down with a passenger, or breezing someone at the lights whilst putting a smile on your face. 0-60 is probably one of the more relevant performance statistics for road use (even if 1.9s renders it all but pointless!)
  - stevehawk 9y ago
    More than a few race tracks in America are basically pet projects of the super rich. They operate as for profit entities and do their best to be profitable or at least break even, but really they exist for the entertainment of the billionaire owners groups.
    - wastedhours 9y ago
      But, what are they driving on those tracks? If I had a few 'bill laying around I'd be in a FXXK or P1 GTR, rather than a supercar or some of the hypercars, no?
- smileysteve 9y ago
  Some truth to that. But some wrong too. I drive a 2004 330i; I track it. I get better times than most drivers who have much better 100-140 high speeds in the straights - despite me only getting to ~100. Of course, somehome a pro driver in a lowered 140hp toyota pickup truck can get better times than all of us.
  - maxxxxx 9y ago
    Most people don't have the nerves to take high speed turns at the limit. I used to take a Lotus Elise to the track and it requires courage to look for the limit when you go 100mph+. Going straight is easy.
DennisP 9y ago
MotorTrend's review of the Model 3 makes me optimistic about the Roadster: "What’s blanching, though, is the car’s ride and handling. If anybody was expecting a typical boring electric sedan here, nope. The ride is Alfa Giulia (maybe even Quadrifoglio)–firm, and quickly, I’m carving Stunt Road like a Sochi Olympics giant slalomer, micrometering my swipes at the apexes. I glance at Franz—this OK? “Go for it,” he nods. The Model 3 is so unexpected scalpel-like, I’m sputtering for adjectives. The steering ratio is quick, the effort is light (for me), but there’s enough light tremble against your fingers to hear the cornering negotiations between Stunt Road and these 235/40R19 tires (Continental ProContact RX m+s’s). And to mention body roll is to have already said too much about it." http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/ http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-...
- sandworm101 9y ago
  And so how many Gs can it sustain on a flat corner? The faster a reviewer talks, the less we should listen. Give it to the Stig and let us see exactly how it laps.
  - Crespyl 9y ago
    There was a bit of a fuss last time they gave a Tesla to Top Gear...
victor106 9y ago
“Production is scheduled for 2020”. And delivery will be in 2025. Knowing how bad Tesla is with keeping their schedule
Siecje 9y ago
> And how is the acceleration past 100 mph? I thought the instant torque was able to get great acceleration at all speeds?
- drcoopster 9y ago
  The torque drops off as the motor RPM increases.

by in3d 9y ago

mtgx 9y ago

> No other manufacturers announce cars so far ahead Surely, you're joking? Virtually every carmaker has announced a whole bunch of electric cars for 2020-2021 (without giving nearly as many details or demoing the cars already). And that's discounting their "concept cars".

in3d 9y ago
With their acceleration stats that cause all the excitement?
brandon272 9y ago
Ford announced their Bronco a while back that isn’t available til the 2020 model year.

semi-extrinsic 9y ago

> And how is the acceleration after 100 mph? This. If you're buying a supercar to actually drive on a track, this is key. Any specs relating to what happens below 100 mph are worthless. If you spend any significant percentage of time going so slow, you need to spend ~$8k on a BMW E36 M3 instead, and learn how to drive. But if you buy a supercar mainly to park in front of Harrods, 0-60 time is... still worthless.

wastedhours 9y ago
Not to be a Tesla apologist, but how many people track their supercars? Or at least proportionally to road use? An Aventador is pretty crummy as a track car, and its performance is all but unusable on the roads (unless, ahem, liberties are taken). A lot of the appeal is in the perception of performance and that initial acceleration. It's putting your foot down with a passenger, or breezing someone at the lights whilst putting a smile on your face. 0-60 is probably one of the more relevant performance statistics for road use (even if 1.9s renders it all but pointless!)
- stevehawk 9y ago
  More than a few race tracks in America are basically pet projects of the super rich. They operate as for profit entities and do their best to be profitable or at least break even, but really they exist for the entertainment of the billionaire owners groups.
  - wastedhours 9y ago
    But, what are they driving on those tracks? If I had a few 'bill laying around I'd be in a FXXK or P1 GTR, rather than a supercar or some of the hypercars, no?
smileysteve 9y ago
Some truth to that. But some wrong too. I drive a 2004 330i; I track it. I get better times than most drivers who have much better 100-140 high speeds in the straights - despite me only getting to ~100. Of course, somehome a pro driver in a lowered 140hp toyota pickup truck can get better times than all of us.
- maxxxxx 9y ago
  Most people don't have the nerves to take high speed turns at the limit. I used to take a Lotus Elise to the track and it requires courage to look for the limit when you go 100mph+. Going straight is easy.

DennisP 9y ago

MotorTrend's review of the Model 3 makes me optimistic about the Roadster: "What’s blanching, though, is the car’s ride and handling. If anybody was expecting a typical boring electric sedan here, nope. The ride is Alfa Giulia (maybe even Quadrifoglio)–firm, and quickly, I’m carving Stunt Road like a Sochi Olympics giant slalomer, micrometering my swipes at the apexes. I glance at Franz—this OK? “Go for it,” he nods. The Model 3 is so unexpected scalpel-like, I’m sputtering for adjectives. The steering ratio is quick, the effort is light (for me), but there’s enough light tremble against your fingers to hear the cornering negotiations between Stunt Road and these 235/40R19 tires (Continental ProContact RX m+s’s). And to mention body roll is to have already said too much about it." http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/ http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-...

sandworm101 9y ago
And so how many Gs can it sustain on a flat corner? The faster a reviewer talks, the less we should listen. Give it to the Stig and let us see exactly how it laps.
- Crespyl 9y ago
  There was a bit of a fuss last time they gave a Tesla to Top Gear...

victor106 9y ago

“Production is scheduled for 2020”. And delivery will be in 2025. Knowing how bad Tesla is with keeping their schedule

Siecje 9y ago

> And how is the acceleration past 100 mph? I thought the instant torque was able to get great acceleration at all speeds?

drcoopster 9y ago
The torque drops off as the motor RPM increases.