Tesla P90D for a week :O

[Chris_D]

The client loner Skoda is in for a service and windscreen replacement so I was curious as to whether I'd have to revert to using the zed for my 3 times a week jaunts up to Hamburg from Utrecht.
I was mildly curious when my point of contact said 'the MD has kindly agreed to lend you his personal transport', expecting it to be another company Skoda or such.
You can imagine my shock and disbelief when this thing turned up at the house an hour ago!!
Just been out for a quick test drive with the deliverer and it's just bonkers. Mad. Insane. Everything about it!
Spookily quiet, even at speed. Only tyre rumble and a bit of wind noise but very comfortable. Been advised not to use ludicrous mode but er, I may just neglectfully forget the bit of advice
Weird not having anything for a gearstick/centre console etc to rest ur hand on, only an armrest. And the display thingymebob is too big IMO and a massive distraction if used on the go. So I'll be leaving it alone mostly. It's also been set up apparently so that I can make the trip up in one go without a recharge on the way. The MD's been to Amsterdam on a full charge, which is further than me so I think I'll be ok...
2 charge points in the carpark opposite my house which I can use, so should be in business til next Wednesday.
The trepidation.....

Parked next to E36 Coupe Benny for scale. It's massive.

Photo 04-04-2017 12 18 47.jpg (148.97 KiB) Viewed 1404 times

[patriot66]

Seeing more and more Tesla's on the roads around me and I have to say I really like the look of them Ludicrous mode eh ? Go on I dare you !

[lordgrover]

I really want to like Tesla but found them a bit 'american' build quality - which is not a good thing. Looks and feels cheap and made down to a budget. Perhaps I shouldn't be so judgemental having never driven one - solely based on observations in showroom and those seen on the road.
The tech I really like.

[Chris_D]

Seeing more and more Tesla's on the roads around me and I have to say I really like the look of them Ludicrous mode eh ? Go on I dare you !

I daren't. I'm a fraidy cat. And I also value the business relationship more than I'd care to risk pitching his car into a ditch.

[Chris_D]

I really want to like Tesla but found them a bit 'american' build quality - which is not a good thing. Looks and feels cheap and made down to a budget. Perhaps I shouldn't be so judgemental having never driven one - solely based on observations in showroom and those seen on the road.
The tech I really like.

It's def designed for a US market but the build quality is well, surprisingly good I think. But then I've been seriously considering buying a Lotus Esprit recently so maybe I have low standards

[Sky-drive]

I took a Model X out on a test drive last year ... yeah its quick for its size but it handles like a whale on steroids!

Switchgear is pinched out of a Mercedes, it doesn't cope with crosswinds well, front glass produces a lot of wind noise and the electric doors on the demo I had were already groaning under the weight on lifting upwards. Add in the range (real world driving >>> less than 200 miles!) and the lack of Tesla supercharge stations and the whole thing becomes impractical.

Word of warning ... on lifting your foot off the accelerator pedal then the engine braking cuts in and the brake lights come on so its not possible to coast along just using deceleration to slow the vehicle down.

[mj2k]

Thought the levels of deceleration were user defined?

[Chris_D]

Yeah, it has this regen thingy where it derives energy from braking and pumps it back into the batteries. It's weird driving it i have to say. Not sure if i could really get used to it.
I'm sort of wowed by all the tech going on but somehow it's not presenting itself as a complete car. I'm also already suffering from 'range anxiety' even tho ive been assured i'll be able to make it to hamburg on a full charge.
Bit of an anticlimax tbh.

[Ducklakeview]

Bit of an anticlimax tbh.

Ludicrous mode will rectify that

Mike

[Chris_D]

Bit of an anticlimax tbh.

Ludicrous mode will rectify that

Mike

Ya reckon? I'm used to rapid accelleration from when we had the Atom and tbh that used to scare me everytime, tryin to keep it in a straight line. Ive seen the vids on youtube of the tesla ludicrous mode and even if the passengers p!ss their pants the drivers always look smug, as tho there was no buzz in it after theyd had a few goes.

[Ducklakeview]

There's only one way to find out...
Mike

[Chris_D]

Tempting. Might have a crack at it tomorrow when i set off up there in the aft...
Report to follow. If not from me re. the experience, then will be on the german news re. an accident involving a tesla, the autobahn and a bridge support....

[Ducklakeview]

Tempting. Might have a crack at it tomorrow when i set off up there in the aft...
Report to follow. If not from me re. the experience, then will be on the german news re. an accident involving a tesla, the autobahn and a bridge support....

You could always invite the lovely Laura along to film and commentate in your ludicrocity??



Mike

[Chris_D]

She's currently in Aruba for 5 days on a flight. Lucky soandso!

[Chris_D]

Right, setting of for Hamburg in a bit after I've finished this cuppa and egg and cress butty.
Will be trying out ludicrous mode somewhere between the dutch border and Bremen. If i try it in holland and get caught they'll throw me in jail
If you don't hear from me ever again it means I'm brown bread