The concept
The design of an electric car, even a high-end, is disconcerting simplicity. In the case of the Model S, is mainly based on a robust aluminum chassis, an electric motor positioned between the rear wheels and a huge pack of lithium-ion batteries integrated into the floor. The Model S has been available so far in a couple of guises: the regular 85, with 376bhp and an autonomy of 310 miles, and the more modest 60, which has a smaller battery and a reduced range of 240 miles. The P85D is something else altogether. Instead of a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, it gets one on each axle to run in four-wheel drive - and the upgrades don't stop there.
“To upgrade to four-wheel drive, it's not complicated. Simply receiving a second motor on the front axle. With the P85D Tesla offers a car with incredible performance”
The top model P85D comes compete with Ferrari 458 Italia, Audi RS7 or Porsche 911 Turbo, with an electric motor on the back axle powers the rear wheels of 464bhp (475ch) assisted by a 218bhp (225ch) smaller electric motor on the front axle to drive the front wheels, a total of 682bhp (700ch). The resulting performance figures are pretty staggering. This model offers speeds up to 155mph (249 km / h) with acceleration if you activate the “insane mode” from 0 to 60mph in 3.2sec. (0 to 100 km / h in 3.2 seconds!)
It makes the P85D four-wheel drive and capable of traveling on all road conditions including snow and ice – just like an Audi RS6. Tesla’s system can adjust the torque between all four wheels 100 times per second thanks to its electric powertrain, giving superb levels of grip.
Interior: Deutsch qualitat?
No transmission shaft, so no tunnel passing through the cabin. Despite a guard at a fair bit to the rear roof, it’s very convenient to travel with five adults. No engine under the hood, so additional space for luggage, in case the 750 liters of the trunk would not be enough. By folding down the seat, you can even load up nearly 1 800 liters. Or, on the contrary, carry up to seven passengers thanks to the two child seats facing the rear that can be installed in the boot (turning the P85D into a seven-seater, option at £2,100 or 2 500 €). To be clear, electric rhymes perfectly with family.
The finish on materials is of a remarkably high standard compared with any other American car. The presentation is neat, based on simple shapes, quality materials and quality finish, which, if not quite to the level of German premium, is not less quite flattering.
What immediately attracts attention is the complete lack of buttons on the dashboard and the huge 17-inch color screen that sits as a central console. That screen acts very much as the ‘heart’ of the car as it controls all functions with impressive ease. Functions as air conditioning, opening sunroof, radio, GPS for Google Maps, the Internet, and the recovery of braking energy or different chassis settings.
The most interesting option is the Tech package for £3,500 which allows managing Auto Pilot, the autonomous driving system, through cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, it aims to create a real security bubble around the car. Other aids exist, such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance braking or retention in the queue, will soon be added other features, such as parking or exit driverless garage. Today is already tomorrow.
Verdict
The P85D sits at the top of the Model S range and is priced at £79,080 after the £5,000 government grant. That’s nearly £14,000 more than the Tesla 85D dual-motor that still has 371bhp and gets to 60mph in 5.2 seconds, so potential buyers would have to value the extra grunt to justify the considerable price premium. That said, for those who want to brag they have the fastest-accelerating electric car in the world and have faith in the UK’s still-young charging infrastructure, the Tesla Model S P85D will be the very best car money can buy.
The range will be increased next year by a compact SUV, called Model X, and two years later, a third model even larger audience. It will be indeed a small sedan that will stand between the Audi A3 and A4, with a price two times less than that of the Model S, that is to say less than £25, 000 (35 000 euros.)
To cope with this development and allow substantial economies of scale, Tesla is also associated with Panasonic to build a giant factory farms in Nevada. To facilitate the use of its cars, the Californian manufacturer has also embarked on an extensive installation program of rapid charging stations (130 miles, 200km of autonomy recovered in 20 minutes). This network – free to use for supercharger-enabled vehicles – is expanding rapidly. Tesla plans full UK coverage by the end of 2015 to enable travel throughout the British Isles. Talks have taken place in Cornwall. The stations are conveniently placed along well-travelled routes to allow Model S owners to drive long distances with minimal stops. In the UK, superchargers stretch from Exeter to Edinburgh.
To see the video presentation of the P85D : Click here
Key specs
- Price: £79,080 (after £5,000 government grant)
- Engine: Dual electric motor
- Power: 682bhp
- Transmission: Single-speed auto, four-wheel drive
- 0-62mph/top speed: 3.2s/155mph
- Range: 300 miles (est)
- On sale: Now
Caractéristiques
- Motorisation : deux moteurs électriques
- Type : AC synchrone
- Avant / Arrière : 224 ch / 476 ch total : 700 ch
- Batterie : Lithium-ion 85 kWh
- Puissance totale : 700 ch
- Couple maxi : 980 Nm
- Transmission : aux quatre roues
- Boîte : automatique, un rapport unique
- Dimensions (L/l/h) : 4,970 × 1 964 × 1 435 mm
- Coffre : 850 l (100 AV + 750 AR)
- Poids : env. 2 100 kg (3,0 kg/ch)
- 0-100 km/h : 3,4 s
- Vitesse : 250 km/h (limitée)
- Autonomie : 480 km (normalisée)
- Prix : 100 540 euros, bonus de 6 300 € déduit
