There is still plenty of power to pass comfortably but it is a completely different experience void of all the excessive thrills experienced down below. I was quite shocked when I kicked it at 60-mph waiting for something relative to happen. Not only did it not happen, but it was a bit disconcerting. I made comment of this to the Tesla manager with me. So then I tried it again to see if it was me and had the same results. This is why I insisted on taking it out on the Tollway, to check performance at this level. Now the experience was still enough to sell me based on the quickness from 0-MPH, plus the handling all around, fit and finish, etc... But I certainly told myself once the car arrived I would need to lower my expectations in this throttle range and just accept it as the way it is. Again, there was plenty of power to pass, and in no way excessively anemic or dangerous, just not anything like my Ruf or 997tts, or even itself above 50-MPH. Do you see any videos promoting this car, vs similar German or other counterparts, accelerating from 50-MPH on up? Nope and there is a reason for that. Now can they fix this with an update? Absolutely they can and I'll bet you the one Elon is driving isn't this way, and I can also guarantee you he's only getting about 150-MPH in total range IF that. This probably explains the "Anyone outside Tesla " remark.
You can't cheat physics, in this car or any other ICE car. If you put your foot in it with either vehicle you will suck energy/burn fuel, especially in the power band being discussed. I can't see them releasing this update to improve mid band torque until everyone is already sold on the car for its performance and other attributes, and are willing to accept and forgo the depleted range in doing so, not without the 110 (or whatever's in pipeline) battery that is... Is this deceptive marketing? No. That would be like accusing Porsche of not hitting their EPA milage on a Cayenne Turbo just because you have a heavy foot. For instance my CTT only got 9-miles to the gallon due to my torque requirements which was way below the Monroney. So why aren't they releasing the "Normal" setting on the "D" as of yet? Most likely the same marketing reasons but different direction. The "Normal" setting simply will only allow it accelerate like any other "Model S" which would likely greatly disappoint everyone here if released too early in the promotion. I think to accomplish the published range they will have to disengage the front motor as has been rumored. Where does that leave you? Right where I described, no different than any other. Again, is this a deal breaker??? No, because the same playing field exists in an ICE vehicle. I can make my Porsche hit the EPA rating but its just not very much fun to do so
As a result I better be full of gas and have a gas station available downline if I'm going to drive in this manner. This brings us the the dreaded but very real "Rage Anxiety". Will you ever be able to put your foot in an 85D, ESPECIALLY with a torque update, and not have to be concerned about this? No, it is the way it is. Can you work around it? Yes if you plan and/or only have short daily commutes as I do. With this battery pack will you ever get your cake and eat it to? No, not possible. And even when they do get SC's all over the place, if you drive in the new mode or with heavy foot, plan on stopping at about every one of them and taking a thirty minute break. Its just the way it is... I still want it but I will keep an ICE vehicle for long trips and that's fine for the moment.
And you can bet when they release the 155-MPH update we'll loose range there too. Elon has to juggle all of this very carefully. The positives and realities must outweigh the negatives. No doubt this car is better suited for a 110 battery but that's not the way it is at the moment. So sacrifices must be made somewhere. I believe their current thinking to limit top speed and mid range acceleration for initial "rollout" is valid. I will be perfectly happy launching to get my kicks, really over 60-MPH it is not that big of issue unless you want to get a ticket or loose your license, in the US that is. And I would warn all of us as a whole to be mindful of this because the insurance companies are watching this very closely. And we all are being grouped together in the study. Anything stupid I do will directly affect you. Its a small trackable group. And as soon as "stupid" show's its ugly head, especially with the cost of parts/repairs on this thing, insurance costs will set their own 0-60 record. All and all I still think its brilliant, simply identify we're all "torque junkies" and build accordingly. It really has never been about HP
. Sorry to wonder but its all relative...
