Just returned from my test drive today in LA, and I have to say it was a very positive experience. I echo Silenus136 in that it was a surreal experience accelerating in such a smooth manner, and regenerative braking is definitely something to get used to, but you do fairly quickly in this car. Now for the drive information.
I will save my comparisons to the M5 for the proper thread (Model S vs M5), but suffice it to say that I have little to no qualms about my decision to replace the M5 for the performance. I did drive the performance (silver with tan interior!??) and the staff were very accommodating in letting me select which variant to drive, especially when told what you were looking at purchasing.
The route has been discussed ad nauseum, so I won’t hit the details, but the initial feeling is a smooth take off, easily modulated by the right foot. The car is extremely quiet and my wife had no idea we were ready to go until we were actually moving. Our co-pilot was as laid back as they get, and he would demo the screen periodically, dousing the volume when he wanted to talk or to demo how quiet the car/ride was. He didn’t seem to have much more information available than was is discussed/theorized here, so I didn’t try to pump him much for information, instead, I focused on the drive.
The turn signal stalk is fat and was easy to capture if you are at the 9-3 hand position, so I never hit the wrong lever. Mirrors provide a wide view from the rear, and my concerns about rear visibility were minimal compared to what I had feared, given the small, highly slanted view out the back window. The gauge display is marvelous and really you could get lost in wonderland just playing with the different variations, but I was most impressed with how well integrated and thoughtful the displays were and how easy it was to see what you were doing at a glance. The nav display within the gauge cluster is brilliant. All transitions were smooth and without glitches between displays.
The acceleration is brisk and powerful, seamless with a gush of power that pushes you into your seat, then continues rapidly to the limited 79 mph we were allowed.
Road noise is held to a minimum, and only tire noises and a very, very faint whine were heard. I was impressed with the levels of wind noise in the cabin, tell tale of some serious aerodynamics and sound insulation going on. My tester had the lacewood interior with the lacewood lined console (rubber lines to grip items from sliding about) as well as the cubby under the display. It definitely enhanced the quality of the interior look, IMHO. I was pleased with the lacewood, but would take Obeche over it, matte finish.
During the ride, the co-pilot did receive a phone call, which was routed to the car, and it has a repeated monotone beep alert. The caller-ID displayed the number in a pop up window on the screen.
The suspension and ride harshness was very well controlled, firm but supple and road vibrations, while they could be felt in the steering, were somewhat muted, leading to a slightly numb feeling for the steering. Despite this, the car felt significantly smaller than it’s girth and length would suggest, and it was mildly tossable. Going onto the 105, I accelerated into a moderate turn which was easily controlled, there was plenty more to give in that turn, but given my wife videoing in the back seat, kept the car tame enough that she didn’t notice all that much.
Acceleration and merging were brisk and dynamic, with quick steering response at speed. This car will give only minimal lateral motion and no dive/squat kinematics. Being a gear head for so long, you actually have to get used to their absence.
The car does not ask you to actively drive it to get it to do something, so actions are quick, responses are fairly immediate. I am a little ambivalent about that, but I’m sure I’ll get over it.
The mad dash at the end was only somewhat satisfying, only because I knew that I was limited in speed and just had to mash and go, holding onto the wheel, and with no sweepers to navigate, the ride was over before I knew it. The police were actually rented security cops on motorcycle detail, but curiously, all were armed. My wife recorded the speedometer during the dash so that we can unleash the mathematicians to analyze the play by play down to the millisecond.
Upon returning, I had a long, pleasant conversation with one of the engineers, who was quite open about discussing upcoming changes. I will discuss these in the Unknowns thread, and I must say, there were some tantalizing revelations.
I am convinced on the car, and I know that it will be a joy to drive day in and day out.
The other guy was Raphy, he's not here on the boards. As for deferring, if you do, that brown is calling....
