Driving Torque

It's All About The Motors.

Driving Torque

This is the YouTube page for Driving Torque - Articles, reviews and opinions about cars and all things automotive.
Go to www.drivingtorque.com

Driving Torque
Review by Ben Harrington from Driving Torque of the Suzuki Jimny SZ5
Suzuki Jimny Review
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_tBEwl0WmNRw
Watch as a Model X performs its Celebration Mode Easter egg in the snow
Tesla Model X Celebration Mode
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_Z04UK1MRXjE
This is what the exhaust tail pipe of a Ford Focus RS sounds and looks like when you accelerate quickly.
2017 Ford Focus RS Exhaust
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_QkKOE0J4baE
Another gratuitous exhaust video for you. This time it's the behemoth that is the Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG exhaust sounding immense
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_S7TdJrBe8aw
This is a Porsche Cayman in Sport Plus mode with a Sports exhaust, showing the exhaust revving and moving as the car is put through its paces. Great footage of over-run and even the heat haze from the hot engine.
Porsche Cayman PDK Sport Plus
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_8l_WTgJB0sk
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Ben’s Car CV
  • DTQ Partners
  • Contact

Tesla Model S 85 – Driven and Reviewed

September 11, 2015 by benharrington 1 Comment

Tesla Model S white front 3/4

Tesla Model S 85

Petrol-head, piston-head, gear-head; all noggin based monikers used to describe people with more than a passing fervour for automobiles and their associated paraphernalia. I’m usually proud to place myself in whatever the collective noun is for this genre of people – we’ll call them a clutch – as cars and everything about them really stir my loins.

So, what happens when the petrol, pistons and even the gears are removed from the equation, as with this Tesla Model S? Can it possibly hope to light the same proverbial fire without the aid of a single spark?

 

Tesla Model S white rear

How big?

Well, let’s start with how it looks, before we get onto the way it moves. This is a large car, and I mean large – 4970mm long and with a 2960mm wheelbase means it’s a matter of centimetres shy of Jaguar‘s flagship XJ, and it beats the XJ in terms of width – 2187mm vs 2105mm. And yet, through the clever use of proportion and shape, it somehow doesn’t seem to take up that much space.

Everyone who sees the Tesla Model S seems to have an opinion on it, most of them comparing its appearance to a Maserati from the front and a Jaguar from the rear. I can definitely see what everyone means; there are certain shades of Ghibli and XF about the Tesla Model S. Bearing in mind that this is the first car Tesla have designed from the ground up (Lotus’ design influence on Tesla’s Roadster meant it was basically an electric Elise), it doesn’t come across as a ham-fisted first attempt.

Looking at it from the side, it’s sleek and sexy with ultra-slippery lines that don’t appear capable of resisting one bit of wind. In contrast, the rear is more muscular and aggressive with a pair of very un-saloon car haunches that house the rear wheels. I can’t help but feel that the Model S is let down buy its own face, though, which is somewhat cross-eyed when viewed head-on. Also, I know that it doesn’t need a big, gaping front grille – in fact it’d decrease its efficiency – but whenever any car has its ‘mouth’ blanked off with plastic, it just seems to make it look a bit….well……vacant.

Tesla Model S white front

 

Minimalism inside

Inside the Model S the design brief was undoubtedly ‘minimalist’. There’s a digital dashboard in the same mould as Audi’s system, a central screen that makes even Apple’s new monster iPad Pro look a mite wee, and that’s about it – not a knob or dial to be found. All of this gives a real feeling of space and airiness, which is lovely, but I increasingly found myself wanting a tad more storage space than a relatively small glovebox and a couple of cup holders. The ribbed central luggage area between the front seats  just seems to exist to show off the lack of transmission tunnel and is a bit useless; I believe an optional storage box can be purchased and I definitely would – the Model S may have two boots, but there’s not even a door-bin to be found inside.

Tesla claim to have used premium materials to kit out the Model S’ cabin whilst being as environmentally responsible as possible. There also seems to have been weight-saving put into the equation, though, as certain aspects feel a bit flimsy and unsubstantial to touch.

Tesla Model S central screen

 

How fast?

So, that’s the ‘show’ dealt with, but what about the all-important ‘go’? This is the 85kWh model with one motor driving the rear wheels; that translates to around 380bhp and 440Nm torque, 0-60 in 5.4s and 140mph top speed. All these numbers are only half the story, though, as the differences between driving the electric Model S and a conventional fossil fuel burner are chasmic. There’s no gears to change, no lag or delay of any kind and no real power bands to contend with; put your foot down and it’s just a steady, linear, eerily silent build up of speed which somehow loses some of its meaning thanks to the sheer lack of effort involved.

Take your foot of the accelerator and the way speed suddenly drops off is pretty dramatic, too; thanks to regenerative technology, it’s not really possible to ‘coast’ as such, and it’s so effective that the Model S’ brake lights activate to warn other road users you’re slowing down pretty quickly.

Tesla Model S chrome indicator

 

Nimble handling

Thanks to an incredibly low centre of gravity, the Model S handles like no car of this size and weight (2108Kg) has any right to. It’s so easy to throw around and changes direction with the minimum of fuss, although this rear-driven derivative’s front end did tend to lighten at speed (Tesla claim perfect 50:50 weight distribution with their AWD models). What’s also surprising is just how comfortable and serene the Model S felt over bumps and loose surfaces, especially considering the optional 21” wheels our test car was shod with. This may be thanks to the ‘Smart’ air suspension it was riding on, but as that’s a £2,100 option, I’d be wary of parting with an extra £3,800(!) for the larger alloys and stick with the free-of-charge 19” wheels it comes with.

 

If optional extras are your thing, though, I can certainly recommend Tesla’s Ultra High Fidelity Sound system. Normally, the sweet sound of an internal combustion engine is more my thing, but as that’s not an option here, opting for one of the clearest in-car-entertainment systems I’ve ever experienced seems to make sense. Again, it’s not cheap (£2,100), but if music’s your thing, you’ll not regret it, especially if, like me you’re amused every time you turn it all the way up to 11 – surely a nod to Spinal Tap and an indication that Tesla have a sense of humour.

Tesla Model S 21'' wheel

Range anxiety issues

Britain may be somewhat behind the times in terms of infrastructure when it comes down to electric cars, but we’re getting better. Look to the likes of America and there’s fast charging points in many car parks – they’re even offering a battery swap service that’s quicker than filling a conventional tank of fuel. Where they’re heavily subsidised in Norway, the Model S has been the #1 selling car, twice!

Tesla Model S white door handle

 

More charging points are being installed in Blighty all the time, though, and if you buy a Model S, Tesla will fit a fast charger at your home. There will always be initial range anxiety with electric cars but it’s reassuring that the Model S’ GPS system highlights chargers around you or on your route and calculates if your remaining charge will get you there. You can opt to minimise battery use from air con etc, but I’d personally save that for either very long distance driving or when power’s getting low – anything less than comfortable in a £60K+ car just doesn’t sit well with me.

Tesla Model S door handle open

 

Anyone concerned about residual values? – Tesla will guarantee 50% buy-back after three years. Yes, it’s a different experience to a petrol engine mated to a conventional ‘box, and I know which one I prefer, but in terms of emissions, running costs and sheer speed, the Model S makes a lot of sense.

By Ben Harrington

Specifications; Tesla Model S 85, Motor – 85kWh, Transmission – 1 speed, Layout – Rear motor, RWD, Power – 380bhp, Torque – 440Nm, Emissions – N/A, Economy – N/A, Maximum Speed – 140mph, Acceleration – 5.4s 0-62mph, Price – £59,000 OTR, £77,430 as tested – both prices after £5,000 grant applied

For full details, go to; www.teslamotors.com

Filed Under: Driven, Electric, Review, Road Test, Saloon, Super Saloon Tagged With: 85, electric, fisker, Hybrid, model s, plug in, tesla, tesla model s

Comments

  1. Frank says

    July 24, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    As this is article is from 2015 and the range has been improved over the years: current range for Model S long range is 370 miles (600 km).

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Driving Torque

I'm Ben Harrington and I'm a car lover, freelance motoring journalist and family-man (I'll let you decide the order!) I started Driving Torque in 2010 to share my love of all things motoring with the wider world. Since then, … continue reading

Driving Torque’s Instagram Posts

driving_torque

We’ve spent some time recently with the crossove We’ve spent some time recently with the crossover it’s ok to be seen in - the All-New Subaru Outback. #subaru #outback #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day was this; the unashamedly macho Ford Mustang Mach 1. A full review will follow later this year, hopefully. #ford #fordmustang #forduk #carsofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Driving Torque’s Twitter Feed

Ben Harrington Follow

Freelance motoring writer and Editor of Driving Torque. @NGMWcars member. Classic VW owner. Husband and father to a wonderful wife and two amazing young ladies.

DrivingTorque
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
6h

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review #roadtest #crossover

Reply on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Retweet on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Like on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Twitter 1543299467960532993
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
1 Jul

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1542936828826763269 Retweet on Twitter 1542936828826763269 Like on Twitter 1542936828826763269 1 Twitter 1542936828826763269
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
1 Jul

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review

Reply on Twitter 1542831103362404352 Retweet on Twitter 1542831103362404352 1 Like on Twitter 1542831103362404352 Twitter 1542831103362404352
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
29 Jun

https://buff.ly/3ObO4Z5 #honda #hrv #hybrid #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Retweet on Twitter 1542117432768299013 1 Like on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Twitter 1542117432768299013
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
28 Jun

https://buff.ly/3lWtAH5 #ssangyong #tivoli #review #suv

Reply on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Retweet on Twitter 1541740446468243458 1 Like on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Twitter 1541740446468243458
Load More

© 2022 · DrivingTorque.com · Site designed and built by Kobestarr.com