4 ms·

Testing of Tesla Model S

19 points by sanj 16y ago

The_Fox 16y ago
It's so quiet. Too quiet. If I had one, I'd only drive it with the stereo blasting engine noises from BMW's old "The Hire" series of short films.
- cal5k 16y ago
  My prediction: An entire industry of downloadable, DRM'd car sounds spurred on by regulation requiring cars to emit a constant sound above a certain volume. Luckily, I plan to be the one to license the Jetson's sound and sell it for millions!
- philwelch 16y ago
  Amusing, but I really don't like when people make this complaint seriously. Reducing outdoor noise pollution is one of the best things about electric cars.
- smackay 16y ago
  Nissan are showcasing the Leaf and installing a network of charging stations are being installed in my part of town (Lisbon, Portugal). The cars are quieter than others but not close to silent since the tyres still generate the same amount of frictional noise from the road as a regular car.
anthonycerra 16y ago
Someone please get the license plate PWNZOIL. Calacanis, I'm looking at you.
- mahmud 16y ago
  People might just think you're a rich Pennzoil executive.
- chaosmachine 16y ago
  Close enough? http://i.imgur.com/e1zNY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/e1zNY.jpg
  - anthonycerra 16y ago
    That's great!
brc 16y ago
Good to see something on the road. I'm looking forward to seeing if this is disruptive technology. I inhabit some car blogs from time to time. I can't believe the amount of vitriol directed at Tesla. The first all new American manufacturer in years, working on new tech, constructing within the country, and they get blasted for it. It genuinely baffles me.
- fossuser 16y ago
  I don't understand it either, people seem to have an irrational hatred towards them. The company has been doing really cool things and the roadster is an awesome car (I know somebody who has one). It's quite possible that Tesla influenced the Nissan Leaf or Chevy volt, but even if they didn't they're doing the right thing. Pushing technology forward in an area where it's been stagnant for a while, getting attention and attempting to change things. I would've thought this type of thing would be embraced rather than discarded.
  - bane 16y ago
    Maybe car enthusiasts are more concerned with the testosterone of cars than the tech (all the techy sounding talk comparing component performance is really just a red herring). If the tech can make the engine louder and the car faster, that's hot. Tesla is not offering that exactly.
    - brc 16y ago
      I understand your argument, and it might be true for a certain type who saw the pipes off their Camaro just to make it noisier, but in general, most car people are genuinely interested in new tech. Besides, the only non-testosterone thing about the Tesla is the lack of engine noise. From this, I would argue that the noise is a pavlovian response - the noise accompanies the acceleration and so eventually the noise excites us, even if we're not in the car. Given time, the right sound of electric car noise will tingle the bones of the enthusiast. My basis for this is the response initially given to Rotary engines - purists thought they were too buzzy. However, after anyone has lived with a powerful Rotary engine for a while, the sound of a tuned Rotary immediately pricks the ears. Noise is going to be one of the by-products of a powerful electric engine - witness electric trains like the TGV for that - so I can see the high-powered whine becoming the mark of a high-powered electric, and young enthusiasts will come up with kits to increase the sound, just as they have with V8's, Rotaries, Turbos and every other type of engine tech.
kulpreet 16y ago
The whole concept is actually really impressive. It really shows shows how much more is possible if we just think outside the box. Regardless, I'm incredibly excited after seeing this. We actually have one of these on reserve. :D
GrandMasterBirt 16y ago
Wonder if there will be solutions to us appartmenters. Like an easy to access/pop out battery that can be charged and carried back into the car (oh yea the battery is gigantic) maybe some local fuel stations with the tech some dudes developed to charge the battery in 10 minutes? I mean 100 miles range can probably run me a week using the car but I gotta charge.
mkramlich 16y ago
Seeing this reminds me of the Steve Jobs quote (well, associated with him anyway): "Real artists ship." I love to see real products working like that. Reduces company risk, quiets naysayers, etc.

19 points by sanj 16y ago

It's so quiet. Too quiet. If I had one, I'd only drive it with the stereo blasting engine noises from BMW's old "The Hire" series of short films.

cal5k 16y ago
My prediction: An entire industry of downloadable, DRM'd car sounds spurred on by regulation requiring cars to emit a constant sound above a certain volume. Luckily, I plan to be the one to license the Jetson's sound and sell it for millions!
philwelch 16y ago
Amusing, but I really don't like when people make this complaint seriously. Reducing outdoor noise pollution is one of the best things about electric cars.
smackay 16y ago
Nissan are showcasing the Leaf and installing a network of charging stations are being installed in my part of town (Lisbon, Portugal). The cars are quieter than others but not close to silent since the tyres still generate the same amount of frictional noise from the road as a regular car.

anthonycerra 16y ago

Someone please get the license plate PWNZOIL. Calacanis, I'm looking at you.

mahmud 16y ago
People might just think you're a rich Pennzoil executive.
chaosmachine 16y ago
Close enough? http://i.imgur.com/e1zNY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/e1zNY.jpg
- anthonycerra 16y ago
  That's great!

brc 16y ago

Good to see something on the road. I'm looking forward to seeing if this is disruptive technology. I inhabit some car blogs from time to time. I can't believe the amount of vitriol directed at Tesla. The first all new American manufacturer in years, working on new tech, constructing within the country, and they get blasted for it. It genuinely baffles me.

fossuser 16y ago
I don't understand it either, people seem to have an irrational hatred towards them. The company has been doing really cool things and the roadster is an awesome car (I know somebody who has one). It's quite possible that Tesla influenced the Nissan Leaf or Chevy volt, but even if they didn't they're doing the right thing. Pushing technology forward in an area where it's been stagnant for a while, getting attention and attempting to change things. I would've thought this type of thing would be embraced rather than discarded.
- bane 16y ago
  Maybe car enthusiasts are more concerned with the testosterone of cars than the tech (all the techy sounding talk comparing component performance is really just a red herring). If the tech can make the engine louder and the car faster, that's hot. Tesla is not offering that exactly.
  - brc 16y ago
    I understand your argument, and it might be true for a certain type who saw the pipes off their Camaro just to make it noisier, but in general, most car people are genuinely interested in new tech. Besides, the only non-testosterone thing about the Tesla is the lack of engine noise. From this, I would argue that the noise is a pavlovian response - the noise accompanies the acceleration and so eventually the noise excites us, even if we're not in the car. Given time, the right sound of electric car noise will tingle the bones of the enthusiast. My basis for this is the response initially given to Rotary engines - purists thought they were too buzzy. However, after anyone has lived with a powerful Rotary engine for a while, the sound of a tuned Rotary immediately pricks the ears. Noise is going to be one of the by-products of a powerful electric engine - witness electric trains like the TGV for that - so I can see the high-powered whine becoming the mark of a high-powered electric, and young enthusiasts will come up with kits to increase the sound, just as they have with V8's, Rotaries, Turbos and every other type of engine tech.

kulpreet 16y ago

The whole concept is actually really impressive. It really shows shows how much more is possible if we just think outside the box. Regardless, I'm incredibly excited after seeing this. We actually have one of these on reserve. :D

GrandMasterBirt 16y ago

Wonder if there will be solutions to us appartmenters. Like an easy to access/pop out battery that can be charged and carried back into the car (oh yea the battery is gigantic) maybe some local fuel stations with the tech some dudes developed to charge the battery in 10 minutes? I mean 100 miles range can probably run me a week using the car but I gotta charge.

mkramlich 16y ago

Seeing this reminds me of the Steve Jobs quote (well, associated with him anyway): "Real artists ship." I love to see real products working like that. Reduces company risk, quiets naysayers, etc.