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Ok, I'll bite.With only 7.2 kWh, performance in EV mode will be lethargic. Similar to Fusion Energy's EV mode or ancient non-turbocharged diesels. You will need a calendar to measure 0-60 mph.
Apples and oranges. This would be like comparing performance between a lawnmower (with a full 2 gallon tank) and a V6 (with 2 gallons left in its 20-gallon tank).Ok, I'll bite.
Let's start with simple numbers (no buffer, etc. at the top or bottom of the battery).
Model S85/P85: 265mi. rated @ 85 kWh
Assume linear: 22.45mi. rated @ 7.2 kWh
Are you saying that the acceleration of an S85/P85 at 22.45mi. rated is "lethargic"?
Great post. Goes long with these Tesla numbers:Apples and oranges. This would be like comparing performance between a lawnmower (with a full 2 gallon tank) and a V6 (with 2 gallons left in its 20-gallon tank).
It's all about battery discharge rate for EVs. Max electric power (in kW) = discharge rate of the battery (measured in "C") * battery capacity (in kWh). C-ratings are inverse-hour units -- 1C discharge rate means the battery is empty in an hour. 6C rate means it's empty in 10 minutes.
Then multiply power in kilowatts by .741 to get horsepower, which is more familiar.
Let's compare i8 capacity and power specs to the Chevy Volt, i3, and Model S:
- Volt has a 16.5kWh battery but only the middle 10.8 kWh is "usable", giving it a 38-mile electric range. That's 284Wh/mi rated efficiency.
Max power is 111kW (149hp). Since discharge rate is set from the entire capacity, that's a 6.7C discharge rate when pulling max power.
- The i3 has a 16kWh battery, and max power of 134hp (or 99.3kW). That's a 6.2C discharge rate.
- Now for the i8. It has a 7.2kWh battery, giving it a 22.5-mile electric range. (That's 320Wh/mi rated efficiency, which is higher than Volt, and also speculative at this point).
If we assume the same 6.7C discharge rate as the Volt, then i8 max electric power would be 48.24kW, or 65hp. Not very peppy when in all-electric mode.
- Last data point: Model S 85kWh Performance has max electric power of 310kW (416hp), which is 3.65C discharge rate. Massive battery capacity means that a lower discharge-rate still gives you plenty of max all-electric power.
40kWh* / 60kWh / 85kWh / P85kWh
6.5s / 5.9s / 5.6s / 4.4s
235hp / 302hp / 362hp / 416hp
310lb-ft / 317lb-ft / 325lb-ft / 443 lb-ft
If we assume the same 6.7C discharge rate as the Volt, then i8 max electric power would be 48.24kW, or 65hp. Not very peppy when in all-electric mode.
a hefty price tag of $125k.
Thanks. Makes me think that like the Volt, the i8's battery will have a larger capacity but will be buffered/restricted to 7.2kWh usable. Better for long-term battery health, and then the needed discharge C-rate isn't too large to support that peak motor power.The i8's electric motor outputs 129 hp (96 kW) IIRC.
I’m guessing the quality, execution and design of the center console graphical user interface will be better. And presumably also the exhaust note (That seems to be important to some folks). And they probably won’t be as vulnerable to fires and/or reviews by owners on Youtube… Or various political attacks in the US for that matter…Those seats, striking design and power train keeps yelling fisker karma to me. Perhaps they'll do better
Those seats, striking design and power train keeps yelling fisker karma to me. Perhaps they'll do better
Had the engine/exhaust note been finalized at the time of that test drive? The article seems unspecified on that part. (ftr: I’m also in the all electric camp all the way for environmental and human rights reasons.)…/and it appears from the first drive article that the i8's engine will also be noticeable:
The internal combustion engine produces a typical three-cylinder rumble, that gets louder when the engine revs up. /…