Tesla Model S Signature Performance - arrived!

[dailydriver]

Really... no one else commented on this video..... I love this stuff!!

Thanks. Perhaps I should have embedded it in the post rather than just showing the link.

[exhilR8]

I took delivery of my Tesla Model S Signature Performance yesterday, and it is unbelieveably exciting to drive. It's more like piloting a spaceship than just driving a car. It has warp drive - this humongous instantaneous slam of pure torque with no hint of strain - it is a kind of propulsion I've never experienced before, and it leaves my heart pounding and hands sweating every time I drive it.

It feels as fast as my tuned R8 V10, and the torque/weight ratio is very similar (the Tesla has more overall torque) but it is absolutely ****ing silent, and that's just ****ing scary. You want to pass somebody going 38 in a 45, and you look down at the speedometer and suddenly you're doing 95 without even knowing it. All you hear is the amazing sound system, still set to a very soft volume. This car is totally dangerous to your license.

This car also has no engine lag, and that's a very new experience, especially with all that torque. I've whined about turbo lag in the MP4-12C and other supercars, but I never knew that there was such a thing as "internal combustion engine lag" until I started flogging the Tesla. OMG. If there's a spot you want to take in traffic, it's just simply yours to have - no warning, no aggression, no growl, no foul. That space simply belongs to you. Having a Tesla is like being the Roadrunner when everyone else is stuck being the Coyote, and that means a lot where I come from.

One kind of technical thing that is very impressive in the tesla is the traction control tuning. It actually reminds me of the McLaren quite a bit. In both cars, you can get rear wheel spin at 30+ mph coming out of a corner with just a little too much throttle, and also in both cars the TC tuning is just barely enough to squirm the car back into line. It is clear that the Tesla tuners knew that the performance model was meant to be driven by maniacs, and that cutting too much power for traction would be a buzzkill. It's totally not a buzkill. It's totally mindblowingly scary fast.

And the ride is ultraluxurious in between the silent bursts of pure insanity. It reminds me most of the Bentley Continental GT Speed with the 600+hp W12 engine. It doesn't take corners like a pancake the way an R8 does, but it does feel a lot lighter than it really is, and more nimble than it should be. Plus, the cargo capacity is substantially larger than my wife's A6 Avant. She's jealous, I can tell.

Yes, I'm keeping the R8, maybe getting a supercharged S-tronic when possible, for lots of track driving, long-haul highway trips (sometimes trips to tracks), and being a car star at fancy dinners with valet parking. but when I want to go to home depot, Costco, etc., and be a complete badass and totally own the whole way there and back, I'll be in the tesla.

It's amazing. It's the perfect complement to the R8.

[dailydriver]

I took delivery of my Tesla Model S Signature Performance yesterday, and it is unbelieveably exciting to drive. It's more like piloting a spaceship than just driving a car. It has warp drive - this humongous instantaneous slam of pure torque with no hint of strain - it is a kind of propulsion I've never experienced before, and it leaves my heart pounding and hands sweating every time I drive it.

It feels as fast as my tuned R8 V10, and the torque/weight ratio is very similar (the Tesla has more overall torque) but it is absolutely ****ing silent, and that's just ****ing scary. You want to pass somebody going 38 in a 45, and you look down at the speedometer and suddenly you're doing 95 without even knowing it. All you hear is the amazing sound system, still set to a very soft volume. This car is totally dangerous to your license.

This car also has no engine lag, and that's a very new experience, especially with all that torque. I've whined about turbo lag in the MP4-12C and other supercars, but I never knew that there was such a thing as "internal combustion engine lag" until I started flogging the Tesla. OMG. If there's a spot you want to take in traffic, it's just simply yours to have - no warning, no aggression, no growl, no foul. That space simply belongs to you. Having a Tesla is like being the Roadrunner when everyone else is stuck being the Coyote, and that means a lot where I come from.

One kind of technical thing that is very impressive in the tesla is the traction control tuning. It actually reminds me of the McLaren quite a bit. In both cars, you can get rear wheel spin at 30+ mph coming out of a corner with just a little too much throttle, and also in both cars the TC tuning is just barely enough to squirm the car back into line. It is clear that the Tesla tuners knew that the performance model was meant to be driven by maniacs, and that cutting too much power for traction would be a buzzkill. It's totally not a buzkill. It's totally mindblowingly scary fast.

And the ride is ultraluxurious in between the silent bursts of pure insanity. It reminds me most of the Bentley Continental GT Speed with the 600+hp W12 engine. It doesn't take corners like a pancake the way an R8 does, but it does feel a lot lighter than it really is, and more nimble than it should be. Plus, the cargo capacity is substantially larger than my wife's A6 Avant. She's jealous, I can tell.

Yes, I'm keeping the R8, maybe getting a supercharged S-tronic when possible, for lots of track driving, long-haul highway trips (sometimes trips to tracks), and being a car star at fancy dinners with valet parking. but when I want to go to home depot, Costco, etc., and be a complete badass and totally own the whole way there and back, I'll be in the tesla.

It's amazing. It's the perfect complement to the R8.

Great post - you have totally captured exactly what the driving experience is with this car (even though it is very difficult to explain/relate what it compares to).

Everyone needs to drive this car. I think it is truly a game changer on many levels. Anyone in the Chicago area is more than welcome to take mine for a spin - just PM me.

[exhilR8]

Thanks Dailydriver, for turning me on to the Tesla in the first place with your positive review of your test drive of the Roadster Sport a couple of years ago, and your early reservation for the S Performance. I'm really glad you're getting into it as much as I am.

i just got back from Singapore, and I'm off to Vegas tomorrow for the weekend, but I'll be trying a drag race between my R8 and the Tesla soon, and I'll try to get video of it. Where I live, above 6000 ft altitude, I am not at all confident that the R8 will win. The R8 needs air, the thicker the better, and for every 1000ft in elevation above sea level you lose a certain percent in power, maybe 3-4% for each increment of 1000ft. The Tesla, on the other hand, would still kick a$$ in an atmosphere of pure helium.

It certainly feels like it comes from a different planet. And you're totally right, one has to experience it to believe it.

[gazza1]

Great reviews guys..big thanks

I have always dismissed electric cars as exciting to drive as a golf cart..but you have sparked a interest for me with the description of the experience.

If it happens one day..I will remember where the journey began.

[bbamrah]

You guys have convinced me. I just put the deposit down. I think it will perfectly compliment the R8 as I now can bring both kids with me.

[Stig 1]

Agree on the great posts here! Reading them has me a little disappointed that I just took delivery of my S7....

I drove the Fisker when they were close a year ago with there tour/roadshow. I was hyped about its power promises, but totally left let down after watching the car for 5 or so years. I had liked its idea having both electric mode and engine/generator mode to eliminate range anxiety.

The only thing that scares me with the Tesla is that where I live, the nearest dealer is like 900 miles away! (not actually, but may as well be that far)

I will definitely continue watching this car!

Must work harder, need more cars!! and my insurance guy says that after 12, the 13th is free!!

Congrats guys!! YOUR AWESOME!

[icebreakr]

Thinking of importing Tesla S to Europe, did anyone of you did that? What should I be careful about?
Still waiting for that X model though, as I prefer to have Tesla for a family drive, and something else (R8 wink,wink) for solo action =)

[exhilR8]

You guys have convinced me. I just put the deposit down. I think it will perfectly compliment the R8 as I now can bring both kids with me.

Congrats, you will absolutely love it! If you get the rear-facing seats, your two kids can bring along four of their friends.

[exhilR8]

The only thing that scares me with the Tesla is that where I live, the nearest dealer is like 900 miles away! (not actually, but may as well be that far)

My nearest dealer is 450 miles away, but what swayed me was tesla's service plan, which includes technicians coming to your home or office to provide free service. For $2400 you get unlimited free service visits at your home for, I think, 3 years.

The S7 is awfully nice, and in so many ways similar to the tesla model S, but if you have another car for long-range road trips, you'd probably have more fun zipping around in the tesla. Unfortunately, tesla just announced a price increase that goes into effect in 10 days.