Your mistake is thinking that Elon is blustering...
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Why, because in this particular race Pobst drove Alfa 1 second faster?
You have P3D which is $10k cheaper, running a beta version of Track Mode, rolling 300 tread tires putting up very competitive times. Not only is P3D within a second of Alfa and M4 on this track, but it beats them all in 0-60, 0-100, and 1/4 mile. M3 on the same track was recorded 1:27.67 and 1:29.02.
So are you sure you wouldn't want to just put on a set of better tires and embarrass the top dog ICE sedan that costs more? This isn't accounting for further improvements once Track Mode is finalized and goes public. Man you're hard to please.
Remember Tesla went from Not-A-Track-Car Model S to I can run with the top dogs of ICE sedans on tracks with Model 3.
Last edited:
dhrivnak
Active Member
Did you read the article? The Alfa sounds like it would be a helluva a lot more fun to drive around the track than the 3 was.
This is where I would normally make a joke about the Alfa only being fun till it inevitably broke, but Tesla owners shouldn't be throwing stones about reliability :-/
Of course the Alfa is described as more fun, it's what the driver was used to. I got an undercurrent in this article that the driver simply hasn't had enough time driving these EVs to know how to drive them, since it is really quite different (especially under these conditions) than an ICE car. Tracking is fun when you're riding on that line of control vs. out of control and you can only toe that line if you're confident in the vehicle you're driving, how it works, what it does when you push pedals/buttons, etc. EVs do not operate like ICE, especially (though not the only difference) if you have 0.3g of effective braking when you let off the gas. We've been driving ICE vehicles for years, we know their ins and outs, how to optimize our line, etc. EVs simply operate on slightly different concepts with instantaneous torque no matter what, regen, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am getting my P3D to sit next to my 6MT Golf R because I'm not convinced it will replace my desire to row through a gearbox, but I'm more of the mindset these are apples and oranges kind of experiences than something that can be directly compared.
Regen was messing up the transition from braking to accelerating:
From the article:
Either need to 2 foot drive, or have a track mode option to prevent regen after hard braking event until after the accelerator is pressed again.
Hmm, I hadn't considered that. As an amateur I guess I was just too dumb to notice.
Production issues maybe, but reliability? I don't know if I expect Toyota levels but I am betting we will be at least in the middle of the pack.
I had a blast on the track with my p3. I think "fun" is pretty debatable. A light manual car will always be more fun in some ways, but I definitely liked the torque.
The S and X are much closer to the bottom than to the middle of the pack. Perhaps the 3 will be better but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Also of note the Alfa has a automatic, not a manual. If it had a manual I'd be driving one right now.
Sg911
Member
JohnSnowNW
Active Member
The Model X may be toward the bottom in its segment, but the Model S certainly is not...and the Model 3 is considerably less "complex" than either.
Yes, I think Tesla needs to augment their Track mode. Right now it sounds like it's set up to drift around corners. Which is FUN, but I don't think this results in the best track times. So maybe a few more Track mode options, or two different track modes: "Fun", and "Fast".
Daniel in SD
(supervised)
It sounds like it's set up to allow you to drift around corners. That doesn't mean it prevents you from taking the correct line.
Go for it. If you're willing to sacrifice ride quality, noise and tire life, sticky tires are amazing. Burn the oil in the tires instead of the engine
Roadster will probably come with Michelin Pilot Sport Cups. That's what the Porsche 918 comes with.
Sg911
Member
Then I wouldn’t mind the extra $5k I got compelled into yesterday then to get my car matched!
mal_tsla
Member
F1 cars also have serious down force. Slightly different drive all round
Can't disagree. I was mostly responding to "Might be wrong, but I doubt there are race cars set up to automatically start braking when the foot comes off the gas"
Daniel in SD
(supervised)
There is quite a bit of engine braking when you're revving an ICE at high RPM. There's no reason you couldn't make an ICE vehicle apply the brakes as you let off the throttle. I wonder if there could be a small benefit from true one pedal driving (i.e. full friction brake when you let off accelerator).
Similar threads
