Tesla Model S Scores Nearly Perfect In Consumer Reports
The rewards have been pouring in for Tesla’s electric sedan this year and they now have earned a near-perfect score from Consumer Reports. The highly influential magazine gave the 2013 Tesla Model S an amazing 99 out of 100 points, calling it the best car it had ever tested. Having already been named “Car of the Year” by Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, and successfully defended itself against false allegations from a New York Times reporter, it just had its first-ever profitable quarter of its 10-year history. Consumer Reports was just the latest blown away by the Model S, exclaiming, “it’s what Marty McFly might have brought back in place of his DeLorean in ‘Back to the Future’.”
The Model S may not look particularly exciting from the outside, but step to the driver’s door and the handle powers out to meet you. There is no ignition button – the car is already turned on when you sat down, and the spacious cabin is modern to the max. It’s hard to miss the gigantic 17-inch touchscreen on the dashboard, which controls everything from navigation and audio, to the steering, suspension and braking systems of interest to any automotive technician. Not only can you surf the internet with it,Tesla is currently in talks with Google to use their self-driving technology in future versions!
It’s the car’s performance that is really turning heads. With the car’s weight low and between the wheels, it is very stable yet silently smooth and quick, accelerating to 100 km/h in about 4 seconds and hitting top speeds of 214 km/h. It is instantly responsive and agile like a sports car, as effortless as a Rolls-Royce and has plenty of luggage space, including the “frunk” under the hood, where other cars would have their engines.
The electric motor uses the same principles as demonstrated by 19th century inventor Nikola Tesla, with three battery options providing ranges up to 426 km -much farther than other cars of this type. Electric cars tend to take a long time to charge, but plugging into Tesla’s Wall Connector charging station – looking like a parking meter with a garden hose for a power cord – yields a full recharge in less than 5 hours. Tesla has been installing partially solar-powered “supercharger” stations along U.S. highways that can do an 80% charge in half an hour and outspoken CEO Elon Musk is expected to soon announce a battery swapping plan to allow recharging “faster than you could fill a gas tank.”
Tesla wants to enable drivers to cross the country without needing to spend a dime but as it stands, the limited driving range was the main reason the Model S didn’t score even higher with Consumer Reports. The magazine said “if it could recharge in any gas station in three minutes, this car would score about 110” but won’t give it their official stamp of approval until it has enough data to judge its reliability. While those with car sales training will note it has exceeded expectations in the luxury car market, it will be interesting to see if Tesla can conquer the mass market with its next models.
Check out this video of the Tesla in action and tell us how you think it could affect the future of automotive careers!
