The Tesla Model S is a full-sized plug-in electric five-door, luxury lift back, produced by Tesla Motors. Since its introduction in June 2012 it has achieved rapidly growing sales, particularly in Norway and California. It scored a perfect 5.0 NHTS Automobile safety rating. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the Model S Performance model equipped with an 85 kWh battery pack is 265 miles (426 km), topping the Tesla Roadster to lead the electric car market. EPA rates its energy consumption at 237.5 Wh per kilometer (38 kWh/100 mi) for a combined fuel economy of 89 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.64 L/100 km).
The Model S became the first electric car to top the monthly new car sales ranking in any country, twice leading in Norway, in September and again in December 2013. The Model S ranked as the world’s second best selling plug-in electric vehicle after the Nissan Leaf in 2014. Global cumulative sales passed the 75,000 unit milestone in June 2015. During the first half of 2015, the Model S ranked as the top selling plug-in electric car in the U.S. with about 11,900 units sold.
The Tesla Model S won awards such as the 2013 World Green Car of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine’s 2013 Car of the Year, Time Magazine Best 25 Inventions of the Year 2012 award and Consumer Reports’ top-scoring car ever.
Powertrain:
The 2012 Tesla Model S Performance model has a 416 hp (310 kW) and 443 ft·lb (600 N·m) rear-mounted electric motor. The base model uses a 362 hp (270 kW) and 325 ft·lb (440 N·m) motor. The company claimed a drag coefficient of Cd=0.24, lower than any car when released. Models of Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (released later) appeared to surpass the Model S however, independent measurement by Car And Driver Magazine in May 2014 bore out Tesla’s claim by exactly confirming a drag coefficient of Cd=0.24, but in the same test, measured the Mercedes CLA at Cd=0.30, putting Mercedes’ claim into question.
Under its five-cycle testing protocol, the EPA rated the 85 kWh Model S model with a combined fuel economy equivalent of 89 MPGe (2.64 L/100 km), with an equivalent 88 mpg-US (2.7 L/100 km; 106 mpg-imp) in city driving and 90 mpg-US (2.6 L/100 km; 110 mpg-imp) on highways.
Performance and Features:
These qualitative characterizations of the Model S are supported by its specs, which spiral up in speed based on which model you consider. The Model S with the 60 kWh battery pack delivers 302 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and a top speed of 120 miles per hour. Upgrade to the 85 kWh variant, and the horsepower jumps to 362 ponies—while the zero to 60 number drops to 5.4 seconds. Top speed in this version reaches 125 mph.
If you are a glutton for raw power, opt for the 85 kWh Performance package, to ramp up the horsepower all the way to 416 hp, and a top speed of 130 miles per hour. Jumping off the line to 60 mph is shaved to just 4.2 seconds. Finally, for the insane, the Tesla Model S P85D provides 691 horsepower with a sprint to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. To achieve this feat, Tesla added a 221-hp electric motor to the front wheels on top of the 470-hp rear motor, combining for four-wheel drive. Sharp handling and precise steering, along with height-adjustable air shocks, gives the Model S superlative road manners. One of the most delightful aspects of driving a Tesla vehicle is the use of very strong regenerative braking, combined with no creep from a standstill. Single-pedal control is the gold standard for EV driving. Tesla nailed it.
In 2015, the Model S tech package now includes Autopilot. The baseline features of the $4,250 option include navigation, LED cornering lights, fog lamps, keyless entry, lighted door handles, power liftgate, and power folding side mirrors. Now add Autopilot, a suite of assisted driver features that use a forward-facing camera, radar, and 360-degree ultrasonic sensors. Autopilot resembles packages in other luxury and non-luxury vehicles that have adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning automatic braking and lane-keeping, and assisted parking. Tesla innovations include automatic lane changes after tapping the turn signal, as well as reading and following speed limit signs. Tesla also promises that on private property, the Model S will pull out of the garage and meet you at the curb—although we have not yet seen that feature demonstrated.
Interior:
The cabin of the Model S is attractive and spacious—although not as plush and refined as some high-end German flagship sedans in the same price range. There’s a little bit of American muscle in the relatively minimalistic hip design of the large Tesla EV. What is certainly not minimalistic is the amount of cargo space. And the liberal use of technology on the dashboard.
The Model S trounces competitors for cargo, because it not only has a spacious hatchback, but a trunk in the front where other cars would need a lot of messy internal combustion components. Tesla cutely calls this space the “frunk.” Many owners believe the abundance of storage, and legroom, matches the utility of the top SUVs on the market.
The stark interior is dominated by a 17-inch iPad-like touch screen, giving digital control of nearly every automotive function. The interface is brilliant—a step above anything else you can drive. Lighting, climate and music selection are intuitive. But the allure of this wide-ranging functionality—including full web browsing capability and high definition rear facing camera that can be deployed at any speed—can be distracting.
In 2015, the new option for Executive Rear Seats turns the three-seat second-row bench into two leather-wrapped buckets with extra bolstering and padding. The backrow additionally offers two zone heaters, separated by a wide center console with hidden storage. This also allow rear seat passengers to control climate, media and panoramic roof settings—with the Tesla app. The Executive option requires choosing the $3,500 Premium Interior Package (featuring leather and LED accent lighting) as well a $750 Subzero Weather Package. On top of that, you’ll need to spend $2,000 for the special seating itself.
Price:
The 60 kWh model, offering around 200 miles of range, sells for a base price of $69,900. Accessing the Supercharger network and 19-inch wheels are optional upgrades for about $3,000. The 85 kWh model, offering around 250 miles of range, increases the base price to $79,900. The Supercharger network and bigger wheels are included. Tesla destination fees are $1,170.
Amp it up to the 85 kWh Performance model, which adds faster acceleration and trim embellishments but not more range, and the price escalates to $93,400. These prices do not reflect the $7,500 federal tax credit. Additional tax incentives are available different regions of the United States.
0 comments:
Post a Comment