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Model S Performance vs BMW M5
- Thread starter CapitalistOppressor
- Start date
Thats the beauty of the Interwebs. It's totally up to you what you want to call it until it actually exists
Back to the topic. I posted this link in the Model S reviews thread, but I am reposting it here because the author specifically refutes the premise of this thread at the end of his review
http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/driven-2012-tesla-model-s/
Here is the relevant paragraph -
"So, if you get the idea that we enjoyed our brief stint in the Model S, you’d be right. But, we need to leave you with an important thought. The Model S is basically a mid-sized luxury sedan with some sporty characteristics allowed by the EV drivetrain. It is not an M5 competitor. The Model S starts with the goal of being a car for people whose ideal focuses on comfort and tranquility, not involvement. If you think about it, the body control and drivetrain immediacy that sound sporty are also comfort improvements, because sloppiness is annoying and distracting. So, it may turn out that Tesla has built the ultimate Lexus. That would be a tremendous achievement for anyone, and is even more impressive for the first full car design from a new company. But don’t be confused, the Model S is not a Tesla Roadster with four doors."
That makes me wonder whether the author saw our thread, or if the comparison is one that naturally comes to mind, thanks to the fact that M5 is priced like MSp but clearly has top line performance numbers that are better, while also looking vulnerable to MSp in a turning race.
If you look at the meat of the comment though he isn't directly addressing performance measurements. The key word he uses is "involvement". M5 takes a lot of skill to maximize performance, while the Tesla is very sedate and requires little work from the driver to push to its limit. It's really an enthusiasts argument. Yes, Model S Performance is fast, but it's ice versus fire.
http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/driven-2012-tesla-model-s/
Here is the relevant paragraph -
"So, if you get the idea that we enjoyed our brief stint in the Model S, you’d be right. But, we need to leave you with an important thought. The Model S is basically a mid-sized luxury sedan with some sporty characteristics allowed by the EV drivetrain. It is not an M5 competitor. The Model S starts with the goal of being a car for people whose ideal focuses on comfort and tranquility, not involvement. If you think about it, the body control and drivetrain immediacy that sound sporty are also comfort improvements, because sloppiness is annoying and distracting. So, it may turn out that Tesla has built the ultimate Lexus. That would be a tremendous achievement for anyone, and is even more impressive for the first full car design from a new company. But don’t be confused, the Model S is not a Tesla Roadster with four doors."
That makes me wonder whether the author saw our thread, or if the comparison is one that naturally comes to mind, thanks to the fact that M5 is priced like MSp but clearly has top line performance numbers that are better, while also looking vulnerable to MSp in a turning race.
If you look at the meat of the comment though he isn't directly addressing performance measurements. The key word he uses is "involvement". M5 takes a lot of skill to maximize performance, while the Tesla is very sedate and requires little work from the driver to push to its limit. It's really an enthusiasts argument. Yes, Model S Performance is fast, but it's ice versus fire.
Todd Burch
14-Year Member
Yeah, it sounds to me like what I would refer to as the "gearhead" point of view, for lack of a better term. Almost like the comment that some don't like the Model S because it doesn't have that loud rumbly roar of a V8. Not sure of the usefulness of that argument though. I suppose it depends on your perspective. Is a manual tranny better than an auto? Depends on your perspective.
Right, so in order to be "worthy" the car has to have great potential but also miscellaneous shortcomings that can be successfully overcome by a skilled driver...
Without the sound/roar of the engine I can hear the speed from the wind, texture/grip of the road and focus on the efficiency of my turns. Coupled with lower CG, single foot driving and super stiff chassis it's moving closer to the ideal faster than ICE can.
Yes, well I suppose we can say that driving a high performance ICE vehicle builds character
Yes, well I suppose we can say that driving a high performance ICE vehicle builds character
And while ICE vehicles tout character development, it seems exceedingly likely that in 4-6 years a new version of Model S will rout everything, everywhere while driving with enough composure to relax my grandmother.
Continuing on that line of thought...
"Compared to driving an equivalent high performance internal combustion engine vehicle, driving a Model S EV is far less taxing on the driver. In fact, it's so much less taxing that arguably it's a safety feature -- lightening the cognitive load on the driver. Perhaps insurance companies should consider offering a discount for this safety feature."
"Compared to driving an equivalent high performance internal combustion engine vehicle, driving a Model S EV is far less taxing on the driver. In fact, it's so much less taxing that arguably it's a safety feature -- lightening the cognitive load on the driver. Perhaps insurance companies should consider offering a discount for this safety feature."
Todd Burch
14-Year Member
Hey Spatters, sorry if I'm impatient but as an M5 driver didn't you mention you were going to do a comparison to the Model S after your test drive last weekend? :biggrin:
spatterso911
P100DL - Raven
Back in White Plains, just before the posts started, I talked to GeorgeB about it, and I asked if we could continue after the deliveries start and his response was along the lines of "Oh, I think we'll do one more". We did indeed get one recap post, and the language of that post and the penultimate post seem to indicate that's about it (on that anyway)
Maybe GB could drop us a line every now and then on the TMC forum? That would be cool!
Bound466
Member
Sounds like this will be worth waiting for. Tesla has always compared the S to the 5. Thanks in advance Spatters..
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