Forbes' Hannah Elliott goes on Model S test ride

[Mycroft]

Very short clip here, but evidently she's going to post a longer piece in a bit:

Forbes: "Elon Musk Rocks To Adele In The Tesla Model S"

Stay tuned for a thorough piece about the new car and Musk’s plans for his Los Angeles-based company. In the meantime watch the video for some footage from the drive and a look at the (optional) panoramic sunroof inside–it’s the largest I’ve seen in a sedan. (The guy in the back seat is a mechanic).

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

"Los Angeles-based company"? Is that a reference to SpaceX?

 

[Tech26]

Nice shot of the glass roof. I always liked cars with Targa tops so you can look straight up at the stars on clear nights. With a roof like that you wont need to bother with taking the top off. Just slide your finger down the screen.

I wonder if the guy in the back seat prefers to be called a technician rather than a mechanic.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I don't understand why some folks including this writer insist on recording video with their smartphones in portrait mode?! The video is useless for viewing on any other larger screen.

 

[Norbert]

I wonder if the guy in the back seat prefers to be called a technician rather than a mechanic.

He was one of the drivers on the Oct 2nd Fremont factory event.

Photos from Sunday, October 2, 2011 (Model S event)

 

[tdelta1000]

I think the article and video did not offer her reads enough information about the Model S.

 

[Mycroft]

I don't know why Elon has the music turned up full volume whenever he's driving someone in the car. He should have the windows up and the music turned off so they can appreciate the unique silence of the ride.

 

[jimbakker666]

I don't know why Elon has the music turned up full volume whenever he's driving someone in the car. He should have the windows up and the music turned off so they can appreciate the unique silence of the ride.

Yeah I agree, one of the coolest videos I've seen was of a single press guy being test driven on a track at what I presume was the Oct 1 event. The thing took off like a bullet train, nearly silent.

 

[slcasner]

I wonder if the guy in the back seat prefers to be called a technician rather than a mechanic.

That's Ali. Sorry I don't know his last name or title, but his position is several steps above "technician" as well.

 

[vfx]

Radio is on because it's a prototype of sorts and still squeaks. Or Elon just like music.

 

[3lectronica]

That's Ali. Sorry I don't know his last name or title, but his position is several steps above "technician" as well.

Ali Javidan - Engineering Manager

http://youtu.be/2JV0hIyZqMg

 

[Mycroft]

Just watched that video series and I have to say, that has to have been the most sedate test drive of the Roadster EVER!

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

The full article is up:
Elon Musk: Tesla Model S Will Be Like iPad, Faster Than Aston Martin - Forbes

 

[Mycroft]

Not as long an article as I'd hoped she was going to write.

competitors will also include the similar-looking $200,000 Aston Martin Rapide and $128,000 Maserati Quattroporte.

With a 300-mile-range lithium ion battery and a claimed 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, the Model S will beat them both on the road.

“From a performance standpoint we did consciously intend to beat them,” Musk says. “This is intended to be the best performance sedan out there.”

Musk: “There must be no flaws Tesla can detect of any kind once the car leaves the factory because customers are going to judge us particularly by the early quality,” he says. “Every car must be perfect.”

 

[jimbakker666]

Nice to see some positive press for Tesla.

 

[Mycroft]

Nice to see some positive press for Tesla.

Once they have cars the reporters can drive, I think there's going to be a lot of positive press.

 

[jimbakker666]

Once they have cars the reporters can drive, I think there's going to be a lot of positive press.

Oh yeah, I'm waiting for the reporter that test drives one for his story and ends up reserving one at the end.

 

[mnx]

This is a new bit of info: "and it has a Boxster-beating drag coefficient of .22."