The Tesla S has collected an extraordinary number of titles and prestigious awards in the last year. So it became the best car of the year, won the title of the most important car model of the last 20 years…. there are even more such and different titles, and practically all motoring newsrooms in the world agree that Tesla is today's insight into the future of motoring. So something is definitely changing thinking and views on the automotive industry. The Tesla S model has been present on Slovenian roads for a long time, but still unofficially. That's why we got it for testing by a specialist for the import of used vehicles to Slovenia - Autoborker.
We have written about Tesla many times, even when various information about this model was published. Also because the readers of our media love to read and discuss about these cars. And thus presents content that is "cool". Tesla model S with his idea of the car of the future, he creates charisma, which the founder of Tesla Motors, a visionary, managed to "sell" with excellent communication Elon Musk. He turned the automotive industry on its head and proved that it is possible to make a car that is philosophically completely different from the mainstream of the industry and succeed at it. What's really interesting is that it is Tesla Motors already succeeded in the first with to the S model to make a vehicle that is in every sense fully equivalent to the higher premium class Germanic ships. That way, he has nothing to fear in society BMW-'s seven, the Mercedes S-Class and the Audi A8.
Of the latter, it can be a little less prestigious at times, but still competitive enough to attract buyers who choose this vehicle segment. Here, it is important that with this vehicle, the buyer is primarily buying "material" for endless conversations with business partners who, for example, do not yet dare to buy this type of vehicle. This moment is also for that reason Tesla S a sign of a different philosophy of whoever buys it. And at the same time completely, just like the products of the brand Apple it expresses a certain rebellion against the average and proving itself in the most perfectionistic way. And it is the above that makes it so very, very different. If we now put philosophy aside and focus on the harsh facts and figures,... the magic starts to happen, which places Tesla on the podium in the choice of every slightly more urban buyer.
Price & questionable range - but let's be realistic!
Tesla is by no means a cheap car, but still in a comparable price range to its competitors, since the price starts at 57,000 euros for a 60 kWh model with a smaller range and 65,000 euros for a model with a stronger battery and official range 426 km and until recently the prefromance model P85d for 85,450 euros. Of course, with the choice of accessories, the price of the car rises steeply, because the vehicle in the basic version is equipped "poorly" and that it is necessary to invest around 10,000 euros in order for your Tesla to be decent, or to have the things that a vehicle of this class must have as standard. The fact that the tax legislation and reliefs and subsidies for electric vehicles. And also interest-free eco fund loans, where companies can in this way they finance for free its service fleet of electric vehicles. The sum of everything means, otherwise, a little more dealing with bureaucracy, but at the same time the possibility of really favorable financing and the purchase of an electric vehicle, as an individual or a company.
Many Teslas fault the range, which is officially around 426 kilometers, but in real driving it is proven that you are driving somewhere with a Tesla 350 to 380 kilometers normal driving. If you will be behind the wheel for the first time, you will probably drive a few kilometers less, because you will be happy to press the "forward" pedal, which enables sensations that drivers have not experienced before. But you really need to ask yourself how many times a year you find yourself in a situation where you drive more than 350 kilometers in one stretch and then return to the starting point the same day. These situations are extremely rare for most average drivers and occur in a few scenarios per year.
That's why, with this range, you can visit the Italian Grado or our popular Portorož, visit the Croatian neighbors in Opaija, or visit Graz in Austria without any worries on your free weekends. Here, I should point out that in these cities it is already possible to charge electric vehicles both within the public infrastructure and within private charging stations owned by tourist organizations. So that with a little planning, you will be able to quickly avoid situations where you should save on electricity, because you will find a charging point on the way one way or another. The whole thing, of course, requires some forethought and calculations and does not allow the same level of carelessness as driving on fossil fuels. But you will forget everything when you drive past gas stations where vehicles of the same class for the same range, for example 350 kilometers they spend somewhere between 45 and 50 euros. You, on the other hand, will pay around 6 euros for a log "reservoir" of energy, as long as you always "draw" the Tesla from the socket in your own garage. Namely, in Ljubljana, you can charge your electric vehicle for free in many places, and even more. Company Tesla Motors has already set up a free fast charging center where you can charge a fully discharged Tesla in just 45 minutes. Yes, you heard that right, the vehicle charges at speed 535km/h. Which in practice means completely emptied Tesla fill in a pinch 45 minutes meanwhile you drink coffee and write a quick email. The coffee isn't free, but the energy flowing into your Tesla is free, and that's more than great.
Design - not even that sensational, and for a great reason
Tesla S no way not the prettiest car in the world! It flirts with some jaguars and many people may mistake it for some other vehicle at first glance. But... still, it has enough charm and design excellence to not leave the average design connoisseur indifferent. It's a car assembled precisely, the details don't feel cheap and overall the vehicle feels like a serious competitor to the best. Inside, the story continues, but it still feels right here Tesla despite the innovative design approaches, it lags behind premium class vehicles. It feels like the story is somehow not fully wrapped up. It seems like something is missing. But on the other hand Tesla brings so many new things that these innovations fully compensate for feelings of "emptiness" in interior design. Thus, no one has ever been able to pass the enormous "boards” for managing all the functions of the vehicle, which really works perfectly and precisely. Tesla thus, it has virtually no buttons inside, as the driver controls all functions and more via this "panel".
Exterior Tesla is completely subordinated drag coefficient and currently Tesla presents the car with the lowest drag coefficient. It's a bit because of that too more conventionally designed, which does not mean that it is boring. Interesting are the vehicle's handles, or hooks, which "sink" into the body and become part of the "body" of the vehicle. All with the aim of minimizing resistance.
The crowd details merges into a whole that impresses. Kot is impressed by the most "unusual" spaciousness of the interior, where everything is different from existing vehicles. Namely technical part of the vehicle it is extremely small, or it is completely hidden in the chassis. Relatively small, in fact incredibly small, is the Tesla electric motor, which is hidden behind the rear axle. Thus, all of a sudden, an extremely large luggage space is offered in the back, where a system of two "auxiliary seats" is hidden in the bottom of the trunk, so that Tesla officially registered for 7 persons. Since there is no engine in the front, Tesla owners cram almost as much into the front part as they would otherwise, on special family vacations, owners of classic cars would drive on the roof. Tesla is definitely the most spacious sedan and deserves many plus points in this segment and in the space segment.
Driving Smoke - The Day I Buried the Internal Combustion Engine
As a fan of car sounds and the smell of fumes, I was a bit doubtful that an electric car could convince me in its driving dynamics to such an extent that I would decide for it without hesitation as soon as someone put the keys to a Tesla on my table in competition with its three Germanic premium competitors. I would immediately and without hesitation pick the most unusual key on the table.
Accelerations - Torque 100% from 100%
Regardless of the development of technology and automatic transmissions, which are exceptional in the premium class, Tesla offers driving pleasures that no one really offers in this way. So offer 100% torque, which amounts to 600 Nm at any moment. So it's a great pleasure when you drive on the highway 120 km/h and you see a red monster with an inscription 911 on the rear. You bring in the injection and drive all the way to dizzying speeds, without any input of the "driver's" energy and muscle tension. All you use is your right foot, which is followed furiously by the Tesla S. The driver in the 911 is practically helpless, despite his great will to catch up with you. Tesla S namely, it really has no real competition in this field.
All thanks to the 600 Nm of torque, which is available at any moment, and the 416 horse power, which is based on the real doping of electricity. A good 5 seconds of acceleration to 100 km/h is a telling figure that "petrol" and "diesel" cars can only follow in higher price ranges than Tesla's price range.
Aston Martin Rapid S vs. Tesla S (video)
In bends and on the plain
Tesla S is a few kilograms lighter than Mercedes S class and weighs 2,108 kilograms. The weight is known in principle, but due to the configuration and placement of the battery on the entire bottom of the car, this weight is not even that much of a bother. After all, practically every competitor in a comparable class has to deal with something similar. The car sits sovereignly in a corner and does not run out of it unexpectedly. Even more, it seems that the driver can control it extremely predictably. The rear, which is perfectly tamed by the electronic systems, gave us a few happy headaches at times, but it still managed to dance salsa at times, which inspires. And it's this "salsa" that kicks ass Tesla S, tells us the story that electric vehicles will be just as fun to drive as internal combustion engines. To be honest, we didn't miss the sound of the engine, as many do. Namely Tesla it samples sounds and is not inaudible, just as the sound of an electric motor is not inaudible. It's just different and atypical from existing car sounds. The urban legend says that Tesla is unheard of, which I can describe as one of the biggest nonsense and untruths written about electric vehicles. Or rather as one of their shortcomings. It's about the same as someone saying they miss the romantic wheeze of a steam locomotive in 2014. The car mimics the sounds, only they're really different and will take some getting used to for those addicted to gasoline fumes.
I would drive a Tesla S: Booking an appointment
The numbers speak for themselves - and Tesla is the logical future
The majority of new registered vehicles in Norway are models Tesla S (February 2014) , the most sold vehicles in the premium class in 2013 (USA), where Tesla before Mercedes Benz S classes for good ones 4000 units sold. And again and again, confirming the vision of the visionary Elon Musk, that the age of electric vehicles is here and that it is possible to switch to green today. All the awards, the sales figures, the sell-out of Model S vehicles, say that the world's intellectuals have already decided that electricity is the way of the mobile future.
Motor Trend made a comparison between Tesla S and Mercedes S (video)
At buyers Tesla it's about "geeks" and calculators, who in their calculation counted and added up the pluses and minuses and came to a result that speaks in favor of the Tesla S. Buying a Tesla S is above all a rational purchase, because electricity costs you on an annual basis of 25,000 kilometers driven , only a good 530 euros. You can reduce this amount if you charge the vehicle several times at home at a good number of free charging points. That way, you won't have to pay for "driving" fuel at gas stations and may even save something. There are practically no regular services, or there are control services, which some owners do Tesla they are practically wasted, as they are salted to a certain extent and even unnecessary. On an annual basis, the average driver should have these costs for approx 1000 euros, which is again comparable to internal combustion cars and does not exceed the maintenance costs of premium sedans in the first years.
Of course, everything is not so green and many questions arise. One of these is certainly the life of the batteries, for which Tesla gives a warranty of 8 years with no mileage limit. Changing the entire battery today costs 8,900 euros, and according to some calculations Tesla is losing money 2 – 4% percentages of the total capacity on an annual basis. This would mean that she would lose somewhere in 8 years 20% reach. Which, in principle, is not such a disaster. But if we believe in development and progress, we can be sure that in 8 years you can replace the battery with one that will cost less and have a better range. Namely, we are on the verge of a breakthrough in new battery technologies that will be cheaper and more powerful. Also because of the growing trend electric cars, which will soon be offered by virtually all major automotive manufacturers. As a rule, a greater need and increase in demand dictates a faster development of technologies.
Tesla S despite all the positives, it is a car for the brave and forward-thinking. It brings with it a part of the future already today. And that's exactly why it is Tesla S so very different from the average car. The car impresses with its charisma and idea, but convinces above all with its sensations on the road. Tesla Motors she is not resting and is already preparing a model offensive for 2015. So she recently joined the model range Tesla S P85D (performance), which brings 4WD and even better performance data. The model has also been announced Tesla X – family MPV, which customers should be able to drive at the end of the year 2015. Also, a slightly bigger "facelift" of the model is being announced quietly and on the forums Tesla S, right at the beginning of 2016. They also started building the largest battery factory in the world in the state of Nevada.
With the test Tesla S in my eyes, a period has begun where the internal combustion engine is slowly but surely saying goodbye. However, it will take some time for the industry to change. Tesla will definitely go down in history as a model that stood alongside the legendary Ford T model and marked a new era.
More information:
http://www.teslamotors.com/
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