I’ve had my 70D for a week and I’ve got some feedback for folks who might worry that they’re not getting a high performer. I had my doubts when the car was announced, even as I downgraded my reservation from an 85D. I’m not a guy who needs the fastest car possible and I’m not a guy who will readily try to drag race everything off the lights or hoon around A-roads at ludicrous speeds. However, I have owned my fair share of performance cars and I was worried that I’d feel that the 70D was a performance downgrade.
Well, for folks who may be having similar doubts I can possibly put their minds at rest. Below 70mph the 70D feels much stronger than the ’09 350Z (313BHP) that I just traded in and also feels faster than the 340bhp 4.2 litre V8 Audio S4 I had before the Z. What’s more the power of the 70D feels much more immediate and urgent than either of these two cars to the extent that the Tesla would easily pull the pants down on both cars off the line. The immediacy of the power delivery actually makes the Tesla more enjoyable to drive than either of the others. As an additional anecdote, I gave a test drive to a friend at work who collects TVR’s. This guy has a Tuscon and a Chimaera that I know of and he was thoroughly impressed by the 70D’s acceleration. He didn’t think it was any slower than his cars at all, albeit I didn’t take him above 60mph.
For everyday roads, especially the narrow ones of the UK, this car feels incredibly fast. Not just for a car of its size, but in general. Stamping it at 60 mph turns on a solid and strong surge that easily plugs gaps on the motorways leaving you on the high side of 80 mph in seconds with zero faff or effort. Stamping it at 80 mph is less impressive, but let’s be honest, no one needs high performance above 80 mph. If you need to wave your willy at other high performance cars than I’m sure you’ll disagree, but most people don’t want to go much faster than 80 mph and the 70D is going to get you there quicker than nearly anything you’ll meet on the roads on a typical day in the UK.
On the flip side I can also compare the 70D very favourably to my old ’08 Audi A8 in turns of smoothness and comfort. The A8 is almost the same size but the Tesla is smoother, quieter, with more driver assistance toys, more luggage space, better stereo, better looking, more comfortable seats (standard, not next gen), more chilled to drive at slow and cruising speeds plus cheaper to insure than all of the cars I’ve mentioned in this post.
What makes me laugh though is the fact that the Tesla is going to get better and better over time. This car is just fantastic at everything I’ve tried so far. I’m completely smitten!
Well, for folks who may be having similar doubts I can possibly put their minds at rest. Below 70mph the 70D feels much stronger than the ’09 350Z (313BHP) that I just traded in and also feels faster than the 340bhp 4.2 litre V8 Audio S4 I had before the Z. What’s more the power of the 70D feels much more immediate and urgent than either of these two cars to the extent that the Tesla would easily pull the pants down on both cars off the line. The immediacy of the power delivery actually makes the Tesla more enjoyable to drive than either of the others. As an additional anecdote, I gave a test drive to a friend at work who collects TVR’s. This guy has a Tuscon and a Chimaera that I know of and he was thoroughly impressed by the 70D’s acceleration. He didn’t think it was any slower than his cars at all, albeit I didn’t take him above 60mph.
For everyday roads, especially the narrow ones of the UK, this car feels incredibly fast. Not just for a car of its size, but in general. Stamping it at 60 mph turns on a solid and strong surge that easily plugs gaps on the motorways leaving you on the high side of 80 mph in seconds with zero faff or effort. Stamping it at 80 mph is less impressive, but let’s be honest, no one needs high performance above 80 mph. If you need to wave your willy at other high performance cars than I’m sure you’ll disagree, but most people don’t want to go much faster than 80 mph and the 70D is going to get you there quicker than nearly anything you’ll meet on the roads on a typical day in the UK.
On the flip side I can also compare the 70D very favourably to my old ’08 Audi A8 in turns of smoothness and comfort. The A8 is almost the same size but the Tesla is smoother, quieter, with more driver assistance toys, more luggage space, better stereo, better looking, more comfortable seats (standard, not next gen), more chilled to drive at slow and cruising speeds plus cheaper to insure than all of the cars I’ve mentioned in this post.
What makes me laugh though is the fact that the Tesla is going to get better and better over time. This car is just fantastic at everything I’ve tried so far. I’m completely smitten!
