Jump to content
SAU Community

Just Went For A Spin In A Tesla Model S

PranK

By PranK,
in General Automotive Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

PranK Grand Master

PranK

Posted
Posted

So, going into The Star today and noticed what initially looked like a new Jag - the front and back were obscured by posts, so don't get upset at that mistake! :)

A new Tesla Model S!

Amazing looking car, had some serious presence just sitting out the front. After a minute or two a young bloke comes over to chat to me about it, he was the Tesla rep.

It is one of 4 in the country and they are doing test drives out of The Star at the moment because they dont have a Sydney office. He asked if we wanted to go for a spin around the block.

He didn't have to ask twice.

Two things grabbed my attention when I got in, the first was the massive screen in the middle. I'm writing this on a 22" monitor and if it was flipped on its side I reckon it'd be similar in size. All controls in the car are performed through this screen and it has user profiles to set the car up just the way you like it (screen display, climate control, seat position etc.)

The second thing was that this felt very much like a German car. The doors 'thud' when they close, the interior finish was impeccable, the leather was gorgeous - I had expected something of a luxury Jeep kind of interior and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Silence! Absolute silence! Seriously eery to have such little noise - especially from a car with some serious poke.

As with any decent rep, he gave it a bit of a squirt and jeezuzz .. I didn't know what to say! 0-100 in 4-point-something seconds he said, but it felt so much quicker because of the immense torque! 310kw and 600+ nm of torque! And the bloody thing still isn't making any noise!

Anyway, some pics from me and my mates phones. Bummed I didn't have a proper camera.

gallery_3_5684_300081.jpg

gallery_3_5684_319153.jpg

gallery_3_5684_1170777.jpg

gallery_3_5684_381021.jpg

gallery_3_5684_457074.jpg

$185k as it sits but he said the base model will start from $100k which I reckon is pretty good.

  • Like 1
nick_7g Proficient

nick_7g

Posted
Posted

I drove the Model S at the star and it was damn quick. We were cruising along the Anzac bridge and the rep said to tap it to the floor quickly, which I was all too happy doing. The faster you put your foot down the faster it picks up.

The max torque at all speeds made for an incredible rolling pickup of speed. It would have to rival most cars in the same price range for response.

Besides the instant torque, it also doesn't need to shift down a gear or 3 in order to maximize acceleration.

I agree with the impression of finishes and inclusions. Was very roomy, with 2 boots, a panoramic roof and a great steering wheel.

You can cover the whole interior in alcanatra and carbon which would look awesome.

I'm actually going to drive it again with a relative tomorrow.

For the equivalent E or 5 I think you're getting something way cooler, faster and more unique in the Model S.

Tesla have also priced the car equivalent to the US price adjusting for shipping, FX and local taxes and that's it. None of the gigantic marking up conducted by most other manufacturers.

  • Like 1
PranK Grand Master

PranK

Posted
  • Author
Posted

For the equivalent E or 5 I think you're getting something way cooler, faster and more unique in the Model S

Agreed.

Although, that being said I am still not convinced that electric is the way to go (I'm much more interested in fuel cells - hydrogen) and I have no idea what the reliability is going to be like.

GTR-N1 Grand Master

GTR-N1

Posted
Posted

I wonder from a 'wise' dollar investment point of view, what the depreciation will be like on this?

Might other manufacturers come out with a competitive "undercut" which then termites the Tesla S's value?

nick_7g Proficient

nick_7g

Posted
Posted

Depreciation rates in the US have been similar to the comparable euro cars, which isn't great.

In Australia, Tesla will be such a low volume manufacturer that I doubt the competition here would give themselves a haircut when they're probably booking a 30-50% premium to "fair value" currently.

It's just scary how much luxury car tax adds to the whole equation. It's about ~$20k on a $180k car. Scam!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • GTSBoy
      What brakes on R34 GTT(Europe)

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      I would just put EBC back on the "I would not use their stuff" pile and move on.
    • Duncan
      What brakes on R34 GTT(Europe)

      By Duncan · Posted

      Can I suggest you try EBC directly again and link them to as many competitor catalogues as you can to show their listing is incorrect, eg https://dba.com.au/product/front-4000-series-hd-brake-rotor-dba42304/ If you have access to an R33 GTST VIN and your VIN, you could also use a Nissan Parts lookup like Amayama to show them the part number is different between 33 GTST and 34 GTT which may get their attention
    • Kapr
      What brakes on R34 GTT(Europe)

      By Kapr · Posted

      So i got reply from EBC and they just this site where you can clearly see those 296mm fronts on R34 GTT. I send them photos and "quotes" that 296mm are not for 34 GTT and they are too small. But it will be very hard to return them cuz nobody here knows 100% and they just copy those EBC catalogue :-D https://ebcbrakesdirect.com/automotive/nissan/skyline-r34
    • 04-LOOX
      R34 GTR Vspec Garage Sale - All must go!

      By 04-LOOX · Posted

      Hi, is the HKS  Tower Bar still available ? negotiable ? 🤔
    • Duncan
      Duncan's V37.......race car?

      By Duncan · Posted

      From there, it is really just test and assemble. Plug the adapter cables from the unit into the back of the screen, then the other side to the car harness. Don't forget all the other plugs too! Run the cables behind the unit and screw it back into place (4 screws) and you should now have 3 cables to run from the top screen to the android unit. I ran them along the DS of the other AV units in the gap between their backets and the console, and used some corrugated tubing on the sharp edges of the bracket so the wires were safe. Plug the centre console and lower screen in temporarily and turn the car to ACC, the AV should fire up as normal. Hold the back button for 3 sec and Android should appear on the top screen. You need to set the input to Aux for audio (more on that later). I put the unit under the AC duct in the centre console, with the wifi antenna on top of the AC duct near the shifter, the bluetooth antenna on the AC duct under the centre console The GPS unit on top of the DS to AC duct; they all seem to work OK there are are out of the way. Neat cable routing is a pain. For the drive recorder I mounted it near the rear view mirror and run the cable in the headlining, across the a pillar and then down the inside of the a pillar seal to the DS lower dash. From there it goes across and to one USB input for the unit. The second USB input is attached to the ECUtec OBD dongle and the 3rd goes to the USB bulkhead connected I added in the centre console. This is how the centre console looks "tidied" up Note I didn't install the provided speaker, didn't use the 2.5mm IPod in line or the piggyback loom for the Ipod or change any DIP switches; they seem to only be required if you need to use the Ipod input rather than the AUX input. That's it, install done, I'll follow up with a separate post on how the unit works, but in summary it retains all factory functions and inputs (so I still use my phone to the car for calls), reverse still works like factory etc.
×
×
  • Create New...