Today I thought I would make a brief post about performance. I think some people are starting to lose perspective on how fast the Tesla Model S is. So lets take a step back and do a quick comparison using something from my own history.
I'm one of those people who thinks he needs a high output V8 muscle car to enjoy driving. Personally, I've always preferred Ford Mustangs. I've owned several of them throughout the years.
The first V8 I was able to get my hands on was a used 1986 Mercury Capri 5.0 -- Mercury's variant on the Mustang back then.
1986 5.0 Mustang/Capri: 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, quarter mile 14.6 seconds
By 1999, I was finally able to buy myself something truely remarkable, a brand new 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. This was the top-end limited production Mustang of the time, with independent rear suspension for the first time ever and a fancy DOHC V8.
1999 Ford Mustang Cobra: 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, quarter mile 13.7 seconds
And finally, in 2011 Ford took the Mustang to a whole new level with a brand new high tech 5.0 DOHC V8 of the likes never seen before. I had one for awhile and it was insane. It is one of the fastest "every man" cars ever built.
2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0: 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, quarter mile 13.0 seconds.
And just to top it all off -- I never owned one of these -- but in 2013 Ford had a special version of the Mustang with a heavily supercharged V8 named the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. I saw one on the Ford lot and wondered who would ever buy such a vehicle. The sticker was over $65,000...for a Mustang. Probably the fastest accelerating Mustang ever built.
2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, quarter mile 11.5 seconds.
Now think to yourself -- this crazy guy buying V8 Mustang muscle cars -- do I really feel the need to be faster than this guy with my family sedan?
Now lets compare to the Model S.
2013 Tesla Model S85: 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, quarter mile 13.7 seconds.
We haven't even gotten to the performance models yet, and already you can match my old 1999 Mustang Cobra. Remember, the Cobra was a step above the GT, the best of the best back then. Not fast enough? Maybe order the S85D, it's faster.
2013 Tesla Model P85: 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, quarter mile 12.4 seconds.
You've now bested the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 with it's wicked high tech 5 liter V8. No family sedan is supposed to keep up with that kind of muscle. But the P85 outruns it and even gives the cuckoo crazy Shelby GT500 a runs for it's money. And only someone the likes of Jay Leno owns a Mustang like the Shelby.
Still not fast enough? Seriously? Okay then, I guess there is the P85D now. The Shelby GT500 will be looking at tail lights. The P85D can match a McLaren F1. Something you have probably never seen in real life that you only catch a glimpse of on Top Gear or an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, or whatever show replaces that these days.
Most people sneer at muscle car drivers like myself and mutter something about why someone would need so much speed. And here with Tesla, a S85 is already matching a muscle car. And there are now 3 faster options as well, the S85D, the P85, and P85D. The last of which runs toe to toe with supercars that only hollywood movie stars can afford to drive.
People, these Tesla cars are fast! If you really just want that much speed, then go for it. But don't mutter under your breath about my slower Mustang GT V8. And if you are only worried about besting the annoying distracted Toyota Camry at the stop light or approaching up the highway you are merging onto, just remember that you are already way beyond what you need with a non-performance Model S.
Enjoy your speed. I hope to join you one day.
I'm one of those people who thinks he needs a high output V8 muscle car to enjoy driving. Personally, I've always preferred Ford Mustangs. I've owned several of them throughout the years.
The first V8 I was able to get my hands on was a used 1986 Mercury Capri 5.0 -- Mercury's variant on the Mustang back then.
1986 5.0 Mustang/Capri: 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, quarter mile 14.6 seconds
By 1999, I was finally able to buy myself something truely remarkable, a brand new 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. This was the top-end limited production Mustang of the time, with independent rear suspension for the first time ever and a fancy DOHC V8.
1999 Ford Mustang Cobra: 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, quarter mile 13.7 seconds
And finally, in 2011 Ford took the Mustang to a whole new level with a brand new high tech 5.0 DOHC V8 of the likes never seen before. I had one for awhile and it was insane. It is one of the fastest "every man" cars ever built.
2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0: 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, quarter mile 13.0 seconds.
And just to top it all off -- I never owned one of these -- but in 2013 Ford had a special version of the Mustang with a heavily supercharged V8 named the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. I saw one on the Ford lot and wondered who would ever buy such a vehicle. The sticker was over $65,000...for a Mustang. Probably the fastest accelerating Mustang ever built.
2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, quarter mile 11.5 seconds.
Now think to yourself -- this crazy guy buying V8 Mustang muscle cars -- do I really feel the need to be faster than this guy with my family sedan?
Now lets compare to the Model S.
2013 Tesla Model S85: 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, quarter mile 13.7 seconds.
We haven't even gotten to the performance models yet, and already you can match my old 1999 Mustang Cobra. Remember, the Cobra was a step above the GT, the best of the best back then. Not fast enough? Maybe order the S85D, it's faster.
2013 Tesla Model P85: 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, quarter mile 12.4 seconds.
You've now bested the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 with it's wicked high tech 5 liter V8. No family sedan is supposed to keep up with that kind of muscle. But the P85 outruns it and even gives the cuckoo crazy Shelby GT500 a runs for it's money. And only someone the likes of Jay Leno owns a Mustang like the Shelby.
Still not fast enough? Seriously? Okay then, I guess there is the P85D now. The Shelby GT500 will be looking at tail lights. The P85D can match a McLaren F1. Something you have probably never seen in real life that you only catch a glimpse of on Top Gear or an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, or whatever show replaces that these days.
Most people sneer at muscle car drivers like myself and mutter something about why someone would need so much speed. And here with Tesla, a S85 is already matching a muscle car. And there are now 3 faster options as well, the S85D, the P85, and P85D. The last of which runs toe to toe with supercars that only hollywood movie stars can afford to drive.
People, these Tesla cars are fast! If you really just want that much speed, then go for it. But don't mutter under your breath about my slower Mustang GT V8. And if you are only worried about besting the annoying distracted Toyota Camry at the stop light or approaching up the highway you are merging onto, just remember that you are already way beyond what you need with a non-performance Model S.
Enjoy your speed. I hope to join you one day.
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