^hmm, weird. Though I'll say it always takes a few minutes to fill up my tank. And I'm usually full after 10-11 gallons.

6/21/2013 11:11:28 AM

i mean regardless they still clearly demonstrated that its at least as fast as filling up, i just thought it was weird that they mentioned 10 gal/min and then show a 3 minute fill up. that car does not have a 30 gal tank.

6/21/2013 3:33:59 PM

It looks like he was filled up at just over 23 gallons.

They were including the entire time it takes to pull up, get out, do the transaction stuff, pump gas, get your receipt, and get back in, which was around 3:30 minutes. Compare that to just pulling up, sitting there while your battery is swapped, and pulling away, its much faster.

Quote :

"how will they charge you for trading in a tired battery pack??"

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/06/21/tesla-90-second-battery-swap-tech-coming-this-year/

Quote :

"Musk said the service would be offered for the price of about 15 gallons of gas at the going local rate, but of course “it will be more convenient.” And really, that’s true since aside from the time savings, you don’t need to leave the car. The company will bill a credit car on file for the cost. If you’re making a return trip, you can pick up your pack on the way back — again fully charged — for the same “pack swap” price. That’s currently about $60-80, Musk figured. If you don’t want to make another swap, you’ll have options: 1. Keep the pack you received on the first swap. If it’s newer, Tesla will bill you for the difference, though the amount is to be determined. The warranty is the balance of the standard 8-year term, dependent on the age of the pack you received. 2. Return home on your borrowed pack and receive your original back from Tesla for a “transport fee,” which is also to be determined. The swap packs will initially all be brand new, but Musk admitted that they will age over time so whether you get a new one or an older one will vary. You’ll always be able to get yours back one way or another."

[Edited on June 22, 2013 at 12:42 AM. Reason : link]

6/22/2013 12:42:28 AM

I'm headed to the plant in Fremont this week, pretty excited to check it out. I visited there years ago when it was the NUMMI (Carolla, Vibe, and Tacoma) plant, but looking forward to seeing the changes. Doubt they'll let me take any photos, but if they do I'll post 'em up for any enthusiasts.

[Edited on June 24, 2013 at 8:47 AM. Reason : .]

6/24/2013 8:46:22 AM

I'm a fan of the Model S....even sitting still its one of the best, if not the best, looking sedan out there

6/24/2013 7:51:32 PM

Okay, I'll give you that. The Tesla is a unique work of art.



[Edited on June 24, 2013 at 8:15 PM. Reason : .]

6/24/2013 8:12:39 PM

According to smc's sources, Tesla Model S is actually just a rebadged x6 with a golf cart power train. Nothing new to see here, folks, move along



+

6/24/2013 11:07:17 PM

so smc thinks the Tesla Model S looks like a Ford Mondeo hatchback?

6/25/2013 12:42:15 PM

The ford mondeo is a decent looking car though, so I don't see what the problem is.

6/25/2013 2:35:53 PM

Surprised this wasn't mentioned yet:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/25/2989207/nc-legislators-drop-bid-to-curb.html

In short, the State House says, 'senate, go fuck yourself on the anti Tesla crap'.

6/26/2013 2:22:26 PM

"like"

6/27/2013 9:02:14 AM

I couldn't get much, but here's a few shots in case anybody wants a peek inside the plant. None of my stuff was in the Body-In-White section, so I couldn't get any pictures of that area, just the assembly area.

The plant is nice and refurbished, bright, and the cars are beautiful; but it is the least impressive auto plant I've ever been in, and I've been in quite a few. The facility is way larger than they need, so the work flow and process is haphazard. Their demand is so low that their assembly process is very manual. But cool to see nonetheless.

7/2/2013 10:47:49 AM

So bummed I didn't make it out to the factory this weekend. I spent most of saturday passed out in the apt from exhaustion.

7/2/2013 10:50:11 AM

They need to get rid of the touchscreen instrument panel and add a few knobs and buttons

7/2/2013 12:14:03 PM

Why? There are some tactile controls on the steering wheel already I believe, and maybe it could use an assignable knob or two somewhere nearby the touchscreen, but the whole beauty of touchscreen is that it's full customizeable and easily upgreadable

7/2/2013 2:56:33 PM

so you add a universal knob, they don't need to be dedicated necessarily. something you can use without looking, the iDrive knob works pretty well without looking

7/2/2013 3:47:47 PM

Anecdotal evidence but everyone I know that has my car (BRZ) hates the touch screen interface for the stereo/navigation. We want buttons!!!

You can't feel a touch screen when you're driving with your eyes on the road. But you can feel buttons.

7/2/2013 4:00:28 PM

^

7/2/2013 4:05:08 PM

Yeah i think something like that would be definitely useful, although there are four buttons and two scroll wheels on the steering wheel that serve that very function

[Edited on July 2, 2013 at 4:17 PM. Reason : you don't even have to take your hands off the steering wheel!]

7/2/2013 4:13:50 PM

Do the wheels provide tactile (force) feedback? The old BMWs had wheels for the first iDrive that didn't have any feedback and it wasn't really that helpful because you still had to look, then they used motors to provide resistance and feedback and it worked great.

I just don't like having to look at things and touchscreen panels, even with buttons on the wheel, usually require you to spend too much time looking at them for various menus.

7/2/2013 4:23:04 PM

That's my only complaint about the car. While its technologically cool, its not very practical for the application. I adjust stuff while I'm driving all of the time without looking. I don't want to take my eyes off the road just so I can change the temp or radio station.

7/2/2013 4:34:06 PM

One of those dynamic touchscreens would be the best of both worlds...

http://www.tactustechnology.com/

Coincidentally, they're in Fremont too.

7/2/2013 4:34:23 PM

Maybe you guys should watch this video. Certainly looks pretty tactile and intuitive to me. Steering wheel controls part start at 4:29. You never even have to look to your right. I think that's much more intuitive than the positioning of the iDrive joystick/display on BMWs

The Model S 17-InchTouchscreen Display from Tesla Motors on Vimeo.

7/2/2013 5:20:27 PM

real driver's cars don't have steering wheel mounted buttons

7/3/2013 8:38:03 AM

[WRONG]



Real drivers don't take their hands off the steering wheel



[Edited on July 3, 2013 at 8:57 AM. Reason : .]

7/3/2013 8:50:39 AM

yeah...that's kind of out of necessity.

no space

no dashboard

7/3/2013 9:50:48 AM

Quote :

"Real drivers don't take their hands off the steering wheel "

real drivers drive automatics!

7/3/2013 10:27:19 AM

^he gets it

[Edited on July 3, 2013 at 10:29 AM. Reason : if you think F1 is a pure form of motorsports...i just dunno what to say]

7/3/2013 10:29:22 AM

I was just pointing out how stupid that generalization was. Also, no matter what you think about F1, their pilots are more of a "real driver" than you'll ever be. The only reason the manual gearbox shifter is located on the floor is due to the necessity of manual linkage and transmission layout of early RWD cars. Wheel mounted controls don't equal to " automatic transmission". Ever hear of paddle shifter and sequential gearboxes? Or DSG?

7/3/2013 3:47:21 PM

the point is that wheel mounted controls are only useful if you drive an automatic

and i was making a joke because you were talking about "real drivers"

and "real drivers" get a manual, and its annoying moving your arm up to the wheel to change the radio station or adjust the radio if you are resting it on the armrest while shifting and cruising.

[Edited on July 3, 2013 at 5:26 PM. Reason : you missed the point]

7/3/2013 5:26:20 PM

^That's a fucking stupid argument. "Real drivers" keep both hands on the wheel regardless of whether it's a manual or automatic. Its infinitely easier and less distracting have on-wheel controls than ANY dash or center console system.

I've actually thought about doing a small production run of hardware touch controls for the Tesla Model S, similar to the fling joystick for the iPad http://tenonedesign.com/fling.php

It would be pretty cheap to make a set and have "real hardware" knobs, switches and such that just suction cup to the touch panel screen.

7/3/2013 9:43:05 PM

explain shifting with a stick without taking a hand off the wheel

(this dude knows everything!)

7/3/2013 11:14:16 PM

When I'm on the track, my right hand leaves the wheel for a second or less to change gears.

7/4/2013 1:38:07 PM

And when driving in stop and go everyday traffic?

Exactly.

[Edited on July 4, 2013 at 3:20 PM. Reason : pwnt]

7/4/2013 3:19:48 PM

If you are buying a car for sitting in a stop-and-go traffic, than you don't need a "real driver's car". I bet you are one of those people who drive with their right hand on the shifter even when they are in their grandma's Buick, and tell everyone that "that's just a habit" since you always had a manual gearbox in every car you ever own, because you are such a dedicated motorsports enthusiast and really need one to go racing up and down Capital Blvd.

Tesla model S has only one gear so your argument is totally moot. There is not even a shifter to lay your hand on and pretend that you are Vin Diesel. In this case, assignable steering-wheel mounted controls along with a customizeable touchscreen are a perfect engineering solution. A model S driver with no automotive experience will still smoke you down Capital Blvd with both hands on the wheel, even if you look really cool shifting gears while adjusting your radio.

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 10:47 AM. Reason : .]

7/5/2013 10:45:20 AM

^ding ding ding we have a winner folks.

Regardless of where you lazily rest your arm, wheel controls are safer, less distracting and keep your hands where they belong while driving.

7/5/2013 3:31:00 PM

^^ding ding ding we have a winner folks.

7/5/2013 5:19:35 PM

^^^ding ding ding we have a winner folks.

7/5/2013 11:03:59 PM

gayrage dick-waving and bickering aside, i love having audio and cruise controls on my steering wheel.

7/5/2013 11:37:43 PM

I like manuals cause they work longer with less major issues.
That being said no gears are better than some gears.

I'm curious as to the longevity of the speed controllers, batteries and motors tho.

I think they are fine cars and when I can make a valid fiscal case for one ill get one.

^ yes

[Edited on July 5, 2013 at 11:41 PM. Reason : .]

7/5/2013 11:40:56 PM

Wrong

Noen sounds like a lewisje type "genius"

7/6/2013 2:06:36 AM

Quote :

"and "real drivers" get a manual, and its annoying moving your arm up to the wheel to change the radio station or adjust the radio if you are resting it on the armrest while shifting and cruising. "

LOL.

The humor in this thread.

[Edited on July 6, 2013 at 2:28 AM. Reason : ..]

7/6/2013 2:27:06 AM

real drivers attempt to change the AC, but accidentally hit the shifter and instantly go into neutral...
real drivers attempt to drink a soda with their left, control the wheel with their legs and turn on the windshield wipers, but end up hitting the turning signal instead...
real drivers see's a hot woman walking on the street and dream up the scenario that would lead to road head...

7/6/2013 4:20:53 PM

Quote :

" Noen sounds like a lewisje type "genius" "

Noen owns a track-worthy car that actually sees track time. He also has education background in design and work experience in user interface IIRC. Even if he is not a genius, he has some credentials. What are yours?

7/6/2013 6:26:50 PM

^ and won the 2005 World Traffic Safety design competition. I've spent a shitload of time understanding automobile safety, behavior, and controls.

7/6/2013 7:35:33 PM

OK he does claim to be a genius in at least one thread

7/8/2013 1:39:11 AM

Not a genius AT ALL. But I have spent a little more time than "cruisin down the strip" thinking about automotive UI safety and usability. (This was the project if anyone cares http://tynker.net/#product,clearsight )

7/8/2013 9:14:44 PM

if he is that smart then he knows knobs >>> touchscreens

[Edited on July 8, 2013 at 9:31 PM. Reason : ^not impressed by vaporware]

7/8/2013 9:29:56 PM

Quote :

"not impressed by vaporware"

we'd like to see your vaporware, or any actual wares which we can be impressed by.

7/8/2013 9:39:39 PM

This thread is everything I hoped it would be.

7/8/2013 10:14:00 PM