EV Myths & Realities

[strider]

Not to take away from your point, but the M5 is 0-60 in 3.7. We can compete with M3s though

As the others say, look at the 5-60 times. 0-60 uses launch control which isn't done in the real world.

[contaygious]

Ah, I see. So what's our 5-60?

[Lyon]

Ah, I see. So what's our 5-60?

Less than 4.4. I think that the point is that the M5 needs to use launch control to hit that 3.7 second mark. While that's great for selling cars to folks who will decide on two cars based on 10ths of a second difference in POTENTIAL acceleration, it has very little impact on real world driving (I'm talking about the availability of launch control). Oh, and if you do it a lot you'll thrash your transmission pretty quickly, oh, and you'll look like an idiot (IMO) while you sit there at the stop light with your engine revving.

The Model S, with no launch control or gears (ok, no more than one) will give you full power whenever you need it with no more delay than the time it takes your right foot to hit the floor.

[contaygious]

Got it thanks! So much for my nay saying m5 friends...

[Norbert]

The Model S, with no launch control or gears (ok, no more than one) will give you full power whenever you need it with no more delay than the time it takes your right foot to hit the floor.

I guess "neutral" in the Model S just means no power when pressing the accelerator pedal. So if someone pushes the car, the motor will still rotate. Or? So it's kind of less than "1 gear".

[Lyon]

I guess "neutral" in the Model S just means no power when pressing the accelerator pedal. So if someone pushes the car, the motor will still rotate. Or? So it's kind of less than "1 gear".

Yeah, it's kind of strange to think about the transmission not being much of an issue here. I mean, ICEs are starting to see 8 speeds in order to increase economy and performance and then the Model S comes along with a single reducing gear system. You're right though, I have no idea what happens physically when one puts the Model S in neutral.

[TEG]

Yeah, motor always mechanically engaged. Really nice in the simplicity of it all.
But, Tesla tends to recommend not towing a Roadster with the rear wheels on the ground (like someone might try to do behind an RV.)
You don't want to keep rotating that motor when not driving the car.

(Well there is that thought of trying to leave it turned on to do regen charging, but that isn't recommended either.)

[jerry33]

(Well there is that thought of trying to leave it turned on to do regen charging, but that isn't recommended either.)

Besides, it's kind of illegal (in most places) unless someone is sitting in the car. Tesla (or any car manufacturer) would be unlikely to recommend an illegal operation.