Tesla Model S Signature Performance - arrived!

[dailydriver]

I just received my Model S this past week after 20+ months of being a reservation holder. I have to say this is a pretty amazing vehicle in many ways - the technology, the performance, and the electric operation. It is an absolute blast to drive (even with no exhaust) and matches the ride and handling of the best luxury sedans I have driven. The R8 is not going anywhere, so I will still have my loud, obnoxious, petro sucking, always a thrill, car to drive around whenever needed.

It was also just named the Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year: http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...s/viewall.html

"The crazy speed builds silently and then pulls back the edges of your face. It had all of us endangering our licenses." Our Model S was of Signature Performance spec, which means its AC induction motor puts out 416 hp and that it blasts to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Even those numbers -- positively absurd for a large sedan that uses not a lick of gasoline -- fail to communicate how crazy it actually feels. "It's alarming to jam the accelerator of such a big car and have it surge forward so quickly and so quietly," says copy editor Rusty Blackwell.

[Moggy]

What's your anticipated mileage on a charge? Can you fully charge over night? What about during the day - which would indicate a possible maximum commute distance.

Very interested to hear your real-world experience rather than the marketingspeak.

[dailydriver]

What's your anticipated mileage on a charge? Can you fully charge over night? What about during the day - which would indicate a possible maximum commute distance.

Very interested to hear your real-world experience rather than the marketingspeak.

With the 85 kWh battery you can get 300 miles at a continuous 55 mph and not running too much in the car. Realistically, I'm guessing it is under 250 miles. I have only had the car a couple of days and my only observation on range is that it will tank fast with super aggressive driving (that would seem obvious too).

You can fully charge (battery almost depleted) overnight, if you have a 220 VAC outlet with a 40 amp capacity circuit or more (this is more than what a typical standard level 2 station puts out). I have not had much experience yet to observe what the real charges times will be.

[exhilR8]

Congrats dailydriver! It looks gorgeous in signature red.

Mine arrives in 2 weeks, in Pearl White, the rest of the cofiguration the same as yours. Just like you, I'm keeping the R8 alongside the Tesla. I think it will end up being the best of both worlds.

[guod]

Looks really awesome. I want to see one of these in person some time

[Stig 1]

Stig Approved!

[ylwiron]

That is a beautiful car, and the performance is very impressive. It will be really interesting to hear how you end up using the Tesla and how it performs as a daily commuter.

Thanks for sharing!

[Moggy]

Thanks DD! Sound's like it takes about the same power draw as a hot tub or electric range. i.e. you need to wire two legs to get your 40 amp of single phase. If the current draw is anything like my boat when I plug in the shore power, it's be greatest when you first plug in and then slowly decrease as the batteries charge up. Does the car have it's own chargers on board or are you expected to install your own?

Very cool vehicle. I've seen lots of the Tesla sports car around - even test drove one early on - but no Model S yet.

Good luck with it and do keep us posted as you get used to her.

[dailydriver]

Thanks DD! Sound's like it takes about the same power draw as a hot tub or electric range. i.e. you need to wire two legs to get your 40 amp of single phase. If the current draw is anything like my boat when I plug in the shore power, it's be greatest when you first plug in and then slowly decrease as the batteries charge up. Does the car have it's own chargers on board or are you expected to install your own?

Very cool vehicle. I've seen lots of the Tesla sports car around - even test drove one early on - but no Model S yet.

Good luck with it and do keep us posted as you get used to her.

The car has a built-in charger so you just need to plug into whatever power receptacle is available (adapters and cable provided). I actually have the twin charge option: “20 kW on-board chargers allow you to take advantage of high amperage charging equipment. Without Twin Chargers, the High Power Wall Connector will charge at a maximum rate of 31 miles of range per hour of charge.”

With this option and the Tesla “High Power Wall Connector”, you can run a 240 volt, 100 amp circuit (80 amp draw) for pretty fast charging (it gets you about 65 miles of range per hour of charging).

[Beastly]

awesome dailydriver. I have a non-signature in black (sport of course) on order. They tell me mid Dec but I expect late Dec.
I can't wait to get it.