TESLA MODEL S ROAD TEST REVIEW

Among the different variants of the Model S, it is the Performance model (P85D Performance All-Wheel Drive) that is super exciting. But to really appreciate it, I had to drive the 70D AWD. The 70D too is not a pushover. In fact, this too comes with exciting features and a 70kWh battery that has a 240 miles (386km) range and does 0-60 miles (96km) in a mere 5.2 seconds. The lithium ion batteries have an 8 year infinite mile warranty.

Everything about this Tesal Model S is super...the build, the interior comfort, the features, the drive and handling and obviously the technology. Once you sit on the driver’s seat you cannot miss seeing the large 17 inch touchscreen which controls most of the car's functions. Opening the all glass panoramic roof, customising the automatic climate control, and changing the radio station all happen with a swipe or a touch. A plethora of functions can be operated through this touch screen whether it is the radio, Bluetooth, USB audio devices or controlling driving personalisation, climate controls and cabin controls. One can also navigate through Google maps, access information on the real time energy consumption and range estimation, synchronise your calendar etc. The touchscreen never gests dated. Software updates happen over the air that adds new features and refresh the touchscreen look and feel. There is so much leg room and seating space, that you can actually accommodate seven people in this car!

Since the super efficient lithium ion batteries are laid out on the floor, the car has a very low centre of gravity thus ensuring that the car is planted to the road even at high speeds. Tesla battery packs have the highest energy density in the industry. To achieve this energy density, Tesla starts with thousands of best-in-class Lithium-ion cells and assembles them into a liquid-cooled battery pack, wrapped in a strong metal enclosure. The battery is optimised for performance, safety, longevity, and cost. Tesla will be building the world’s largest and most advanced battery factory in the state of Nevada in US.

Cornering abilities are amazing in this car. While the All-wheel Drive is available as an option Model S 70D and Model S 85. Model S Performance comes standard with All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor. The car has two motors, one in the front and one in the rear. The result is that the Model S digitally and independently controls torque to the front and rear wheels, which in essence means great traction control in all conditions. Acceleration came so easy for this car. In the Performance model, there is something called the Ludicruous mode wherein acceleration enhances tremendously. As I stepped on the accelerator, the car surged like a race car on a track. Zero to 60 miles per hour (almost 100km per hour) comes in 2.8 seconds. It was impossible to say that it was a 100pc electric vehicle. In terms of driving abilities, it had all the intrinsic advantages of a gasoline powered car, yet it was clean like your early morning dew when it came to environmental preservation.

 One should remember that unlike a gasoline internal combustion engine with hundreds of moving parts, the only thing that moves in the electric motor is the rotor.  The Performance model also had an Auto Pilot mode and on the highway I tested its usefulness. This mode allows the Model S to steer within a lane (A double tap of the cruise control lever and Model S pilots itself with a lane), change lanes with the simple tap of a turn signal, and manage speed by using active, traffic-aware cruise control. You can also keep your hands off while driving as the car manages to automatically steer the car. Everything is controlled through an array of sensors combined with GPS and high resolution digital maps. Digital control of motors, brakes, and steering helps avoid collisions from the front and sides. It also remarkably prevents the car from wandering off the road.

The super intelligence of the car also scans for parking space once you reach your destination. It alerts you when one is available, and once you give a command it does a parallel park.

On safety front, apparently the Model S is designed from the ground up to be the safest car on the road. It has got a 5-star rating in all categories of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test. Much of its safety is owed to the unique electric drivetrain that sits beneath the car's aluminum occupant cell in its own sub-frame. This unique positioning lowers the car's centre of gravity, which improves handling and minimizes rollover risk. The conventional engine block is replaced with impact absorbing boron steel rails in the Model S. In the event of an accident, eight airbags protect front and rear occupants, and the battery system automatically disconnects the main power source.

This electric car has been designed so aerodynamically built that at high speeds, the rushing winds simply blow their kisses as they swiftly pass by. Obviously battery range is extended as a result. Besides, the smart air suspension lowers the car's height at highway speeds to reduce its frontal area. Electronically controlled vents stay closed until sensors detect that cooling is necessary. The front bumper routes air beneath the battery's flat skidplate and past the rear diffuser, resulting in super duper unrestricted speed.

Not to miss are the Model S door handles. When a key is in close proximity, they automatically extend. When no longer in use, they retract into the body of the car, creating a seamless surface for air to pass over. With the Model S, aerodynamics takes a new meaning!

Once out of the car you may wonder where the car’s fuel door is. As you approach the driver's side taillight with a charging connector and the hidden charge port automatically opens. The charging connector cannot be removed until Model S is unlocked.

Coming back to India, Mahindra & Mahindra already has an electric car company by the name of Mahindra Reva. It is time for the Indian government to encourage this company to build cars like the Model S and put to an end the silly debate on deteriorating pollution levels.  Banning something is easy; Building something useful is a lot tougher!