Model S First Drive Reviews

[CapitalistOppressor]

Outstanding review. Then I thought - he didn't even talk about the awesome sound system.

Fair enough. But a big selling point in luxury cars is how quiet they are (and Tesla rules the silence), while its usually assumed that all of them have great sound systems.

Also, thought leaders like Motor Trend and Car and Driver score based on performance then mark you down if you don't match the norms on trim, fit and finish. And when you are focused on performance issues you generally need to be listening to what the car is doing. So in a short review pro-reviewers are going to focus on their bread and butter concerns, while giving the car the once over to see if it checks the basic trim boxes it needs to check.

 

[dsm363]

The cupholders look like NYC approved 16 oz only though:smile: Where are the kids supposed to stash their 64 oz sodas? It's great that Tesla listened and was able to address that concern. I have a feeling the customer reviews are going to be really positive as well.

 

[Todd Burch]

The cupholders look like NYC approved 16 oz only though:smile: Where are the kids supposed to stash their 64 oz sodas?

You're supposed to just hand them the 2-liter bottle. Reclosable, no chance for a mess. Sheesh don't you know anything? :tongue:

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Great first drive video/review -

Video: We test drive Tesla Cleantech News and Analysis

Full-time rear view camera feed while driving forward! Eric/vfx, you got your wish!

(See the 1:32 mark in the video)

 

[WhiteKnight]

Awesome review. Color Motor Trend impressed...

Looking good for "Car of the Year!"

Obviously Motor Trend got the exclusive since they were allowed 90+ minutes to test drive the car unlike the 7-9 minutes of the other journalists.

 

[drbradfo]

Yahoo got a 90 minute run also.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Full-time rear view camera feed while driving forward! Eric/vfx, you got your wish!

(See the 1:32 mark in the video)

Also, cupholders for rear sear passengers! Were those there before?

 

[Teslawisher]

A plethera of VERY positive non-biased reviews with significant driving time (Motor Trend and Yahoo).

JP... are ya listenin'!?!? :tongue: ya gasbag. lol

 

[ddruz]

Also, cupholders for rear sear passengers! Were those there before?

Those rear seat cup holders were never there before. How fantastic! Can anyone figure out exactly where they are? The video clip is very quick.

 

[BYT_P1837]

Full-time rear view camera feed while driving forward! Eric/vfx, you got your wish!

(See the 1:32 mark in the video)

I played it over and over gg and didn't see it at the 1:32 mark?

 

[dsm363]

Those rear seat cup holders were never there before. How fantastic! Can anyone figure out exactly where they are? The video clip is very quick.

I looked to me like they were in a center arm rest that folds down but I couldn't exactly tell either. Good news anyway.

 

[onlinespending]

Engadget review

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/22/tesla-model-s-first-drive-the-sports-sedan-goes-electric/

 

[NuclearPowered]

It seems like Motortrend and yahoo autos were the only ones that had the testdrive for more then 10 min. Anyone find another site yet?

 

[CapitalistOppressor]

It was listed as 4,150ish a couple of weeks ago and the old number/goal of 3,850 was still appearing in lots of places too. Like I say, the number was squishy, which is fair considering that the car was still Beta a couple of months ago. That number likely changes with battery size anyways, but I am glad to see a number that sounds actual.

 

[onlinespending]

Engadget review

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/22/tesla-model-s-first-drive-the-sports-sedan-goes-electric/

This is a nice touch: "Where the ActiveE will turn the brake lights on as soon as you let go of the accelerator, the Model S relies on an accelerometer readings to warn the vehicles behind you -- clever."

 

[onlinespending]

I played it over and over gg and didn't see it at the 1:32 mark?

Seemed about the 5 minute mark actually

 

[CapitalistOppressor]

I haven't scanned back through the thread since it was merged, so this might be a duplicate link. But this is some photos taken by the girl who did the Gigaom video review -

Photos: Tesla Model S customers drive off Cleantech News and Analysis

 

[Discoducky]

This is a nice touch: "Where the ActiveE will turn the brake lights on as soon as you let go of the accelerator, the Model S relies on an accelerometer readings to warn the vehicles behind you -- clever."

I hope the SDK allows apps to access the accelerometer :wink:

 

[mnx]

Just a teaser for now, full review coming Monday.

A missive from the Tesla factory grounds - Autoweek

 

[AnOutsider]

Watch the video at 5:20. They pan to the back seat, and there are TWO CUPHOLDERS in the back seat!!

I was at dinner watching that vid on my phone and spotted the same thing! We'll know tomorrow!