Praise from the ICE Sector

[caddieo]

There's a very nice article about the Tesla S in the March 2013 issue of the "Roundel" - the magazine of the BMW car club. Considering the environment of certified car nuts to which it is presented, it is more that just complimentary. One may even consider it an endorsement although the article also touts the coming BMW electric models.

 

[dtich]

link? or paper only? scan??

 

[alset]

Able to scan the article here (the images are bigger than they appear, right-click/view image in Firefox for example shows much higher res):
alset's Album: Roundel - March 2013

Direct links to full size images:
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18893&d=1364157971
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18892&d=1364157968
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18891&d=1364157966
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18890&d=1364157963
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18889&d=1364157958

Interestingly, the article complains that there are no nav maps when you might need them most - somewhere remote with no 3G. My understanding was that the Google Maps would not work but you can still search for an address and use the Nav system displayed in the driver dash area, correct?

For those who aren't BMW car club members, it's a no brainer for anyone interested in BMW. Not only do you get this great magazine every month (Roundel), the rebate of up to $1500 for a new car is huge (that's after your best deal at the dealer). You need to be a member for a year to take advantage so become a member even if you think there's a chance of buying one in your future (i3 anyone?). I'm not directly affiliated but I am a member.
The Member Benefits | bmwcca.org BMW Car Club of America

 

[jerry33]

May be able to get a scan. Interestingly, it complains that there are no nav maps when you might need them most - somewhere remote with no 3G. My understanding was that the Google Maps would not work but you can still search for an address and use the Nav system displayed in the driver dash area, correct?

That is my understanding. However, you don't get to see the big picture and it's not unknown for Nav systems to give incorrect directions.

 

[alset]

That is my understanding. However, you don't get to see the big picture and it's not unknown for Nav systems to give incorrect directions.

Par for the course with built-in car nav systems. My guess is that Tesla's downloaded nav database will be generally more up to date than other marques, who typically require a trip to service or a DVD replacement.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, caddieo, calling BMW car club the ICE sector isn't completely fair given that BMW has a plug-in hybrid 3 series and are about to release purely electric cars. Still, I get your point. So easy for car club magazines to be heavily biased towards their marque.
BMW i3 To Have Bells s Not The Big Story (imho) - CleanTechnica

 

[gtimbers]

Wow, what a nice article. Especially unbiased considering the publication is a BMW offering. I think most everything said is right on.

Regarding my pet peeve, Tesla Nav (or lack thereof) it is true that if there is no 3G there is no map on the main screen OR on the dash screen. If you want to stop the car, type in some address???? and then hit Navigate the tiny little screen which is blocked by the steering wheel will populate but not with enough detail to get you where you want to go if it is not the specific address you typed in. All in all, it is totally useless for anything other than point to point navigation. Tesla needs to have some level of maps on board and displayed over the main screen. It could easily be done with internal memory or with a finger drive in lieu of a DVD drive like everybody else. The "always up to date" argument supporting Google Maps is ridiculous as things generally don't change that much, that often. I have personally not upgraded any of my 4 previous GPS systems any more often than maybe, four years. they have never failed to get me through. The Tesla system has left me in no-mans-land twice within the 4 weeks I have had it.