2013 Tesla Model S: Electric Car, no Compromises

While some people absolutely swear by electric cars, I’ve always had my reservations about them, especially after test driving the Nissan Leaf last year. Sure, we’d all love to be able to stick it to the oil companies and cut our gas budget to zero, but the 100%-electric cars currently on the market require you to make numerous compromises, not the least of which being operating range.

I was totally convinced of this until my recent test drive of the Tesla Model S, a car that almost singlehandedly counters every argument against electric cars. It represents a true step toward the future and proves that electricity will soon be able to help us get around efficiently. We fell under its spell.

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Tesla who?

The Tesla name is still relatively unknown. This small manufacturer was founded in 2003 and is based in Palo Alto, California. It specializes in designing vehicles that use an exclusively electric drivetrain. Some of you might remember the Tesla Roadster, a small electric sport coupe produced from 2008 to 2012.

The latest version is the Tesla Model S, a full-size luxury sedan that comfortably hobnobs with the big-name models. Unlike the Roadster, which had a Lotus platform, the Model S was developed entirely by Tesla, which means that they have manufactured the car from start to finish, optimizing its unconventional propulsion system. The only real drawback is its price, which starts at $77,800 for the base trim and can climb to more than $100,000. The manufacturer has to make their technology profitable, and what better way to do it than with a full-size luxury car?

A 17-inch screen to control everything

Tesla didn’t settle for producing a luxury car that that imitates the average production vehicle. This is immediately apparent once you get in and see the 17-inch touch screen located in the centre of the dashboard. It controls practically everything. In fact, the only two buttons you’ll see are those of the emergency lights and the glove compartment. Everything else is managed through this touch screen, which can be split in two to display more information: climate control, audio system, suspension settings, panoramic roof – it’s all there. You can even surf the Internet using a Web application. It’s well organized, simple and intuitive thanks to an interface that is similar to that of an iPad.

Just one look at this screen – plus the one in the digital instrument cluster – and you’ll realize that this car is practically a computer on wheels, with software being at the core of its development. It makes you wonder if computer bugs will be a bigger problem for the Model S than mechanical issues. Shanna Hendricks, the head of communications at Tesla assures us that there’s no danger of that, as the company employs more than 30 full-time programmers and that updates can be downloaded directly to your car via the Internet. It seems that you can update your Tesla just like an iPhone.

The attention to detail is also noteworthy, particularly the lightning bolt door handles. The finish is impeccable and the choice of materials screams luxury and wealth. Real connoisseurs will notice that the shifter and the turn signal arm both have a Mercedes-Benz quality to them. Tesla provides its electric technology, and they get a few perks in return.

The Model S is shattering all preconceived notions about electric cars, one by one. Here’s how:

Style

While current electric cars tend to be more compact and often lack an exciting design, the Tesla is very sleek. Its front end is on par with a few of the big-names, like Maserati. The tail end, with its protruding fenders, makes the car look like it’s ready to pounce, while the unique 19-inch (or optional 21-inch) rims accentuate its dynamic nature. Despite having four doors, it still manages to look like a coupe, which is another factor that will have heads turning.

Practicality

Since they are compact and meant for city use, electric cars are rarely practical. In the case of the Model S, it’s the complete opposite. There are two trunks – one in the front under the hood and the other in back – to help you transport all your family’s gear. What’s more, as was the case with family cars in the 70s and 80s, it can be equipped with two additional (rear-facing) seats in the back, thus allowing you to bring along two more children and bringing the vehicle’s capacity up to seven passengers. These seats are a big hit with the kids!

Driving range

With an operating range of barely 150 km (and even less in real conditions), driving one of the electric vehicles currently on the market can be awfully stressful. Once the batteries are dead, so is the car, and you have to wait several hours for it to recharge. In the case of the Model S, however, driving range is not an issue. The base version can travel 380 km before needing a recharge while the higher performance versions can go up to 480 km. That’s more than enough juice for an entire day. In fact, it makes public charging stations quite unnecessary. You can charge the car overnight and presto! – you’re ready for the day.

Performance

On the road, the car holds its own against the great sport sedans. Our test car was equipped with the Performance Package that, with 85 kWh, can take the car from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.4 seconds. It’s as fast as an Audi R8 or a Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. The most interesting thing is that the power is available at all speeds. If you’re going 100 km/hr and you put the pedal to the metal, it will absolutely pin you to your seat. This phenomenon is typical of electric motors, which maintain their maximum torque at all times. Of course, moderation is key, since overly sporty driving will greatly reduce your driving range.

Basically, everyone who test drove the Tesla Model S seems to agree – we are totally smitten. However, its extremely steep price has a way of tempering the initial enthusiasm rather quickly. This begs the question: when will there be a Tesla compact sedan that runs between $40,000 and $50,000? It would be a guaranteed hit! Be patient, it’s coming.