The all electric Tesla Roadster, well worth every penny.
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Californian Dreamin', The Roadster
Once again, I am reminded how difficult it is to convey the driving experience of a performance electric vehicle, EV.
The gist, I spent some very quality time with a friend's Tesla Roadster in Southern California where I tested the car in traffic condition, open roads and steep down and up-hills. The results... You have to drive an electric motor to understand.
Motorcyclists Get It! Motorcyclists probably get it better than anyone else. The kick in the pants of a finely tuned Ducatti, Triumph or other high-performance motorcycle will give you is closer to what the Tesla Roadster delivers. Unbridled, unadulterated high-torque, revving fun EV grin! But where the Roadster excels is at having found the perfect compromise between flat out performance and normal driving conditions.
Not Too Wild, Not Too Tamed, The Perfect Balance. If you have ever wondered what the hoopla was about the Tesla Roadster, it is that Tesla Motors have done their homework well. The first thing any new EV driver has to get used to is the deceleration caused by the regenerative process. You accelerate and yes, you feel the buzz of the electrons whizzing in the motor but let off the accelerator pedal and the car slows down quickly... very quickly. This can take some getting used to. Drivers of performance stick shift cars will probably understand the concept better. Tesla Motors chose to make the regenerative response felt, but it does not over power the car nor the handling.
The Roadster Experience. Getting in a Roadster is not unlike any high-performance low roadster. If you have ever driven a Noble car, getting in is all about right leg in first, bum sliding in next and left leg in last. If you throw my back out, you might need to use your other favorite car. The inside experience is cozy, tight and everything is where it is supposed to be, in front of your eyes. The seats are made for the American market, so you will not find the tight hugging Lotus seats.
Shift Into Forward. It is hard to convey the whizzing sound matched to the sensation this crisp, linear acceleration the Tesla electric motor gives you. The closest you will ever get is on a finely tuned motorcycle, or if you are lucky enough a Bugatti Veyron? Readers of this column know by now an electric motor delivers 100% of its torque as soon as it spins. The horsepower curve is also quicker to deliver than on an internal combustion engine, ICE. The car sits low, and that is fun. SUV and pickup truck lovers, do not even think of it. This car is low enough you can count pebbles on the road. The safety crash test makes it a safe enough EV to drive around town and highways.
Tomorrow, tune in for the drive experience.
For more info: Tesla Motors, Commuter Cars, AC Propulsion, Alfa Romeo.
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