Tesla Model S

[tangentlin]

I had a chance to visit local Tesla dealer this past weekend, and I was briefed about the upcoming Model S. Besides the normal material you would find on the web, Model S also features fast charge which allows the battery get 90% juiced up in 45 minutes, and the battery is "swap-able" if infrastructure allows.

Personally, I think Model S is beautiful, more beautiful than what is price tag, and I am thinking of putting down payment for the car.

As for Washington DC area, I was shocked to learn there are already 60 Testla roadster owners!

[bonaire]

Would you consider a Fisker Karma or NINA? I know they will probably be 1 year later than the Model S. The Fisker models will be EREV style setups like the Volt whereas the Tesla will be battery-only.

[MTN Ranger]

The Karma is very nice but it starts at $96k when it goes on sale. The Model S will be a lot less at $57,400 for the 160mi version. I like the 220 mile capacity version as that would fit my needs nicely.

[DonC]

The Model S is one beautiful car. The problems are that 8000 laptop batteries wired together is problematic, it's technology -- and hence it's performance and ride -- is primitive compared to a Volt, and paying so much for what is essentially a limited range commuter car seems overkill. The last point is critical. Even if the Model S were to be a Buick with GM technology I'd hesitate to plunk down that much cash for a limited range EV with only slightly more utility than a Volt. (If the Model S had Voltec I'd be most interested even at $60K). I also think the price will go up or Tesla will away. Finally, you can probably count on less than stellar reliability.

Fisker is probably a better bet from a technology and build standpoint but that's even more money for a ride that's worse than a Volt's.

[Noel Park]

Both Tesla and Fisker are walking dead IMHO. Wait for it.

[bonaire]

If Tesla and Fisker's target market is "middle age crisis guy with 500K in the bank" then they will probably not do that well.

I would probably agree, Noel. The two firms are selling "sexy" cars. People with cash want utility vehicles which offer something for the money. The Karma is mighty sexy - and their web site is all about showing off women's legs in the back seat in a fogged up Karma. Trouble is - that's not what the middle-class American family wants. If their NINA works out, fine, their Karma could be their Electric Corvette. I want to see EREV go mainstream as much as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry in number (and hopefully price). Those cars are not that sexy - unless responsible, smart people who can keep a job and a family going while in their 30s through 40s is sexy. And you know what, it kind of is.

[Slapshot28]

Both Tesla and Fisker are walking dead IMHO. Wait for it.

Hmm... Not so sure about that one. I know a VC on Fiskar's board. He is as sharp as a tack and rarely gets it wrong. His personal Fiskar will be delivered in the Fall, and he cannot be more enthusiastic about the investment that his firm (NEA) made in Fiskar.

As to Tesla, already they have quite a bit of momentum. Perhaps they will be purchased at some point; however, I have difficulty imagining Tesla just going up in smoke.

All of that said, "walking dead" is an interesting choice of words. Are you a VC? :-)

[Eletruk]

The Model S is one beautiful car. The problems are that 8000 laptop batteries wired together is problematic, it's technology -- and hence it's performance and ride -- is primitive compared to a Volt.

Yea, Tesla has had so much trouble with the Roadster battery pack. Oh wait, no they haven't.

Volt's performance is better? 7 passengers and 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and top speed 120MPH, how is Volt better than that?

[bcstrout]

I believe that if you need to repair or service your Tesla and you are too far from the nearest Tesla designated service location, a Tesla Ranger program is utilized. Tesla sends a repair technician to your location at a cost of $1 per mile travelled based upon the distance calculated from the nearest Tesla repair location and/or showroom. This cost does not include the needed repairs.

I don't know when, if ever, Tesla will have a showroom built in the Dallas area of Texas. Currently, the nearest facility to my home is in Arizona. I'm guessing it would cost me upwards of $1000 ranger fee at that distance. As exciting as the Model S looks in photos, I wouldn't consider it practical for my location yet. I can take my Volt to a Volt-trained tech at the Chevy dealer 3 miles from my home, for no added travel fee!

I wonder if the collaboration between Tesla and Toyota on the new electric Rav 4 would mean Toyota dealerships will become designated Tesla service locations?

[DonC]

Yea, Tesla has had so much trouble with the Roadster battery pack. Oh wait, no they haven't.

Volt's performance is better? 7 passengers and 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and top speed 120MPH, how is Volt better than that?

Well if you define a battery costing $36,000 to replace that can't be used on a hot day and lasts all of five years to be trouble free, then yeah, the Tesla battery pack has been trouble free. Most people probably wouldn't define it that way. In fact, most people would think that having to pull off the road and wait until the battery cools down is the definition of trouble. Next you'll be telling us that Tesla hasn't had any problems with the transmission.

As for performance, does the Volt or the Roadster produce more foot-pounds of torque? (Hint: it's not the Roadster). Just because you have a tiny car that seats two doesn't mean your drive train is performance oriented. In some ways the Tesla is just like a Lotus: an unexceptional power train in a very small and light body.