Could be an interesting discussion why anyone would want/need an AWD Model S when they could buy a Model X on the same platform, anyone want to start a thread in the S or X section?
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Could be an interesting discussion why anyone would want/need an AWD Model S when they could buy a Model X on the same platform, anyone want to start a thread in the S or X section?
Thread move bait:
A Model S will have more range than a Model X with the same battery. Some people don't need bigger.
And... an AWD Model S will have more range than a RWD Model S... due to more regen.
Sure about that?
The way I look at it is: the total amount of kinetic energy in the car to be converted back into electricity doesn't really change for AWD (assuming similar weight, speed), so I would not expect regen to be significantly different.
I suppose you could have much more aggressive regen with AWD, but at some point it's too much, right?
/Mitch.
The way I look at it is: the total amount of kinetic energy in the car to be converted back into electricity doesn't really change for AWD (assuming similar weight, speed), so I would not expect regen to be significantly different.
Remember with the Prius, you can only access regeneration through the brake pedal. It would take a lot of skill to maximize regen without engaging the friction brake. This will not be an issue on the Model S. My recollection is that Roadster owners claim ~80% efficiency on regen.I haven't seen numbers for the Tesla, but for the Prius only 33% to 50% is captured by regeneration (and things have to be perfect to approach 50%). I suspect the Tesla will capture more because the battery can take a higher level of charge, but every time you convert energy from one form to another there are losses. I'd love to see some actual measurements of this.
Remember with the Prius, you can only access regeneration through the brake pedal.
It would take a lot of skill to maximize regen without engaging the friction brake.
My recollection is that Roadster owners claim ~80% efficiency on regen.
So who wants to see if they can bring this new thread back on topic? Anyone?
. It's also one of those things where the logic goes like this: "If I get in trouble with AWD it's in spite of having AWD, if you get in trouble without AWD it's because you didn't have AWD".
Definitely true of my old CJ5 Jeep. I will never forget (nor will my sister) the day we spent an hour shoveling snow to extricate it. But OTOH, some folks live where they would not get in and out at all with out AWD. The thing is, with AWD or 4WD, you need to know what the vehicle really is and is not capable of, and you need to understand, e.g., that it helps you to go, but does nothing to help you stop.When I lived in snow country, the similar saying was "All 4wd does is allow you to get stuck in places harder to get you out of."
This is the reason for AWD Model S performance. Lose most of the frunk and gain some incremental performance.I always thoughts that for the performace model S they would include AWD. if having RWD you get 4.4, i'm sure AWD can get that time down closer to (or maybe under) 4 seconds. IMHO I don't think that AWD in the model s would kill the range or add to much weight, all you need is another motor.