Tesla Roadster

Just an FYI, but the new California law for gas tax increase adds in a $100 annual free for EV owners starting in 2020 to help offset infrastructure cossts as they don't contribute to gas tax: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-gas-tax-increase-political-battle-20171031-story.html

It was inevitable, but I expect that fee to go up as more EVs hit the road as they realize they can charge more and people have to deal with it (inelastic demand).

 

No doubt governments are incentivizing a move to EV, but the real move is happening because it is just a better drivertrain and thus a better car.

 

I agree that looks are important and for that I LOVE the way your Fisker looks. However, you also said that they both passed NHTSA and that is true. However, that is like saying a C- student graduated just like an honor student. The extra weight and space of TWO drivetrains in ONE car is just not good for safety, space, performance and maintenance.

 

That's interesting. I did not know that. I will thank all ICE driver's for paying for my road maintenance.

 

See this video of Tesla Model S P90D following Porsche on German autobahn:

From the looks of things P90D starts to overheat batteries approximately at 230 kph. As we know, power needed to overcome drag increases in the cube of speed, so we can calculate the point where Tesla Roadster will be having similar problems (if a battery pack capacity is considered as a defining factor).

Battery capacities:
Model S P90D: 90 kWh
Roadster: 200 kWh

Battery capacity based speed increase factor = ∛(200/90) = 1.305

230 kph * 1.305 = 300 kph

So unless they figure out how to keep the batteries cool, even the entry level Ferrari Portofino will keep Roadster at bay on autobahns!

 

There is a new cooling system. The model 3 cooling is different from the prior models as well.

 

The S isn't designed for high speed use. It's designed for cruising at 75mph, which has a very low sustained power usage and thus low cooling requirements. In addition its not the battery that is first to overheat, its the motor rotor. Keep in mind the S is really a first generation product that is now 5 years old. The roadster will be a completely different design, most likely with a completely different motor, inverter and battery design.

 

hard to say. i am not trying to refute your logic, but there are no numbers to back it up.
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/reports/free-reviews-complaints-report/rating-breakdown.php?make=fisker&model=karma&year=2012

btw, there are not 2 drivetrains. there is a generator that powers the motors at the rear wheels. the generator is supplied with power from either the batteries or the batteries plus the ice engine. there is no transmission. the motors are always powered by the generator. the ice engine adds weight, and takes up roughly 2 feet of the length under the hood, so on that score you are correct.

 

Yes, surely they will improve but Tesla will still have tough time keeping their 400 kph promise. I know Model S is electronically limited to 250 kph, but in reality it wouldn't go much faster anyway. Lets make another calculation how much more power is required to increase the top speed from 250 kph (Tesla Model S) to 400 kph (Roadster).

Power increase requirement = (400 kph / 250 kph)³ = 4.1
or by using mph values, (250 mph / 155 mph)³ = 4.2

As we can see, they need to deliver four times more power while battery capacity is only doubled.

 

I stand slightly corrected in the case of your Karma. Although it doesn't have two complete drivetrains it still has more weight and systems than a pure EV. I don't even think a golfbag would fit in the trunk of a Karma. And the center console begins at the dashboard and extends all the way to the back seat and I believe it was almost chest high. I felt very claustrophobic when I sat in the rear. In general, it's fairly straightforward that any time you add multiple ways of powering a car it just adds complexity and unnecessary weight, space, moving parts, etc. With Tesla coming out with 600+ mile range I don't see any need for a second drive mechanism.

 

the center console is no higher than in the rapide or the aventador or the sls gullwing, relative to the driver.
i know what you mean about claustrophobic feelings since i had them in the sls, but that had more to do with the closeness of the front and rear windscreens.
the karma feels snug, but airy enough since it has the back seats. the feel is roughly akin to a rapide overall.

 

Just listen to the 911 !!!

 

Looks like it could do with a flat 6 to me .........

 

jerryz, i just went out for an errand and the console is at my elbow, just like my mercedes CL. so either you are an exceptionally small person, or your memory is slightly faded anyway, fyi.

 

I should have clarified. I was speaking about the rear seat center console. I believe it's where the battery is? . It has been several years but seemed to me it was VERY high.

 

the rear center console might be (or seem) a little higher since the rear seat bottom is lower in order to provide enough headroom given the sloping roof.
the batteries run from the firewall to the trunk wall. basically where the transmission tunnel is in a normal car.

 

It has already been stated a couple of times in this thread - the roadster will have different batteries and cooling system.

 

Of course. But as a design challenge, this is comparable with changing your ICE power output from 250 bhp to 1000 bhp. It wasn't particularly easy task to get the cooling right on Bugattti Veyron either.

 

Agreed. We'll just have to wait and see how good of a job they can do.

 

Tesla Model S Plaid just lapped Laguna Seca in 1:30!!!!!! Making it faster than any production Ferrari EVER! This is a 5,000 pound 5 seat luxury car. I really can't wait to see what the Roadster will do.

 

Probably like this?

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Elon has now confirmed the SpaceX package for the Roadster will move the car 0-60 in 1 second!!!!! On it's own that is astounding but when we see how the compressed air aids handling and braking I know we will all have a new definition of what makes a car. This car won't compete with a true racecar on the track and it won't have old school passion characteristics but it will show us the future is now. It's just a matter of how soon you choose to adopt. We ALL have to do it eventually......unless you're the type that doesn't use a smartphone.

 

I loved my Tesla Model S Plaid but we all know Elon likes to overpromise and under deliver.

 

The Taycan Turbo GT just set a new 1:27 record: https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/11/24097177/porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-lap-time-record-laguna-seca