New Tesla Blog Post 7/12/2012: Get Amped Tour: News from the Road

[Todd Burch]

Generally speaking, a function spoiler increases down force on the rear wheels, but slightly increases drag. No such thing as a free lunch. There are some "spoilers" that do not provide down force and instead decrease drag, but these are usually refereed to as diffusers and work the same as the one on the underside of the car.

Right--that's why I was a little skeptical.

 

[Jkam]

My Tesla rep told me that the spoiler is purely cosmetic.

 

[Larry Chanin]

Correct. Spoiler helps on the Performance.

Hi Nigel,

Yeah, but only when you're traveling in excess of 100 mph.:tongue:

I plan on Ben handing my spoiler to me when he delivers my car. :wink:

Larry

 

[NigelM]

Nigel, above you used the term "affects range" but later say "increases". Was it clear that the Tesla rep was indicating that the spoiler actually improves range by about 1%?

Yes. ~1%

My Tesla rep told me that the spoiler is purely cosmetic.

The Product Specialist thought it was purely cosmetic but called me back again after checking and said it is actually functional.

Yeah, but only when you're traveling in excess of 100 mph.:tongue:

That's when I need every mile of range I can get! :biggrin:

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

The Product Specialist thought it was purely cosmetic but called me back again after checking and said it is actually functional.

Maybe s/he was trying to prevent a custom work order for the factory?!

(...desperate... )

 

[NigelM]

(...desperate... )

Read it and weep. :wink: