[MalibuBimmer]

The big downside of the Tesla though is that it is over 2 tonnes, and it feels heavy too. Furthermore, it can only run at maximum power for 15 seconds before it has to reduce power! This was confirmed by Tesla to me, and is due to massive heat being generated in the batteries when under maximum power. Its glycol cooling system cannot cope with so much heat at once. In real world driving, this is unlikely to be an issue however.

[kip1]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

lol wut

Driven a PDK Turbo S before? Makes the p85 D dual motor feel like a slug from a dead stop.
.

I have to disagree, in insane mode from dead stop, I have only felt a similar gut feeling in the Abu Dhabi F1 simulator roller coaster...after 100Kmh it dramatically slows down, but the start is truly insane!

[kip1]

Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm

The Tesla also doesn't have LC - just mash the pedal and goooooooooo!

Yes, but the Tesla doesnt have a combustion engine??? The i8 needs the lc to perform optimally, it is a highly turbocharged small engine that needs to preload turbos, similar to any 911 turbo. In the i8 there is like 1s difference with lc 0-100.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by kip1

I have to disagree, in insane mode from dead stop, I have only felt a similar gut feeling in the Abu Dhabi F1 simulator roller coaster...after 100Kmh it dramatically slows down, but the start is truly insane!

I did this with launch control on an older 997.2 2011 PDK Turbo S after it stopped raining on street tires road still damp. 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds and 0-100 in 5.7. Right there with a Veyron. Tesla would be a spec in the mirror.

[ChrisMT79]

Man that Tesla is video game fast! I had the pleasure of piloting one, while it was nice and "gimmicky?" I'd still opt for the i8.
Thanks for the video op!

[addm]

Wow. Too many i8 owners feeling threatened by Tesla.
Ironically the weakest link for i8 is the IC engine. Small with significant turbo lag.
In term of performance a electric motor is always better than a IC engine. Getting a good battery is another story. Tesla has the range but still many shortcomings to be a track car. Anyway it is not engineered to be a track car.

[Phatcat]

Originally Posted by addm

Wow. Too many i8 owners feeling threatened by Tesla.
Ironically the weakest link for i8 is the IC engine. Small with significant turbo lag.
In term of performance a electric motor is always better than a IC engine. Getting a good battery is another story. Tesla has the range but still many shortcomings to be a track car. Anyway it is not engineered to be a track car.

Yeah, don't understand what's the hate? In a standing start there's no competition, P85D is faster. I mean seriously, why are people even talking about i8's LC? If you watch the video, P85D can give i8 a head start and still win.

[MDIVISION]

Originally Posted by JasH

I've driven the P85D, and on a road with turns, it would be an easy win for the i8. Not even a particularly twisty one in fact.

I will put up my review after I find it. The P85D is a monster off the traffic lights though. NOTHING will touch it.

Nothing except a tuned GT-R

[MDIVISION]

Originally Posted by addm

Wow. Too many i8 owners feeling threatened by Tesla.
Ironically the weakest link for i8 is the IC engine. Small with significant turbo lag.
In term of performance a electric motor is always better than a IC engine. Getting a good battery is another story. Tesla has the range but still many shortcomings to be a track car. Anyway it is not engineered to be a track car.

Weakest link for Tesla is everybody has one and it looks like $^it

[The long haul]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I did this with launch control on an older 997.2 2011 PDK Turbo S after it stopped raining on street tires road still damp. 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds and 0-100 in 5.7. Right there with a Veyron. Tesla would be a spec in the mirror.

Holy FUCK that's very impressive!

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by JasH

I've driven the P85D, and on a road with turns, it would be an easy win for the i8. Not even a particularly twisty one in fact.

I will put up my review after I find it. The P85D is a monster off the traffic lights though. NOTHING will touch it.

Except the recently-announced P90D with "Ludicrous Mode" option.
0-60mph in 2.8 seconds (at 1.1g peak acceleration.)

Supposedly current P85D owners can have Ludicrous Mode installed for $8K including big battery.
P90D buyers will need to fork over an extra $10K for Ludicrous Mode option.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Except the recently-announced P90D with "Ludicrous Mode" option.
0-60mph in 2.8 seconds (at 1.1g peak acceleration.)

Supposedly current P85D owners can have Ludicrous Mode installed for $8K including big battery.
P90D buyers will need to fork over an extra $10K for Ludicrous Mode option.

I heard about this yesterday. From what I read it's 5k for the electronics change plus labor, and then you need the batteries as well. I presume this will go well over 8k. It wouldn't make sense to have the P85D upgrade option cost less than the P90D out of the box. That would be like being able to retrofit a 550 with the M5 components for cheaper than the cost difference between the two models.

Regardless, that thing must be insane.... I mean Ludicrous...

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

I heard about this yesterday. From what I read it's 5k for the electronics change plus labor, and then you need the batteries as well. I presume this will go we over 8k. That thing must be insane.

Ludicrous.

[MalibuBimmer]

Ludicrous or silly. Unless you race from stop light to stop light in city traffic. Which is stupid.

Great acceleration without great handling is silly, too.

[hytek]

I know you shouldn't compare the two, but if you insist, this ad comes to mind:

.

[Epirali]

Originally Posted by ChiBimmer

I like the Tesla interior more than most though I agree it's not up to the German luxury brands in material quality. I like the minimalism. BMW and Mercedes have become more fussy than I'd like though overall I'd agree they're better.

When Tesla designed the car they were aiming for lower price points. They originally offered a 40 model for pre-order but sold so few that the rare 40 models were detuned 60s. The 60 itself didn't do well and has been dropped. Customers want range and it was eventually dropped. This isn't to excuse a so-so interior on car that can easily and often is optioned over $100k but the history is valuable. I hope Tesla's next gen model S is better or offers a better option package.

I will say I like the infotainment screen. There's a case for physical buttons but the Tesla is screen is intuitive and fast. Easy to get to any control in the car.

See I am one of the people who finds the giant touch screen not very useful. First its a massive distraction (that so far can't be turned off). Also I am a big believer in "physical memory." To do certain things while driving you just reach to a location in space and adjust. With the touch screen this is near impossible. And IMHO Tesla has done a terrible job in using the real estate. There are tons of pointless graphics and very little control, and controls are buried pages in.

I for one would never try to do much with it if I wasn't just cruising on a straight highway.

[Epirali]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

Yeah, don't understand what's the hate? In a standing start there's no competition, P85D is faster. I mean seriously, why are people even talking about i8's LC? If you watch the video, P85D can give i8 a head start and still win.

Some of don't feel threatened, or care. We just find it silly or amusing that people are impressed that a family sedan with electric motors can accelerate fast. This is true, it has all the advantages of a giant battery, instant electric motor power.

It also has all the disadvantages, like massive weight, a so-so handling suspension, and my favorite: all the power you want until you try to use it. Its like an Intel processor, its very fast until you need it to be then it overheats and slows down.

And I am saying this as a Tesla Roadster owner. Which btw I'd take over the Model S any time, no matter how "look at me ma! I'm going faster and faster" the Model S gets. If I had ever wanted a fast car that could only go straight I would have bought American cars...

Oh wait, isn't Tesla an American car?

[UsualSuspect]

Originally Posted by kip1

That Tesla is freakish! Wow!

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Ludicrous or silly. Unless you race from stop light to stop light in city traffic. Which is stupid.

Great acceleration without great handling is silly, too.

Yes, racing from stop light to stop light is INSANE and LUDICROUS! Performance driving is better left on the track.

[HF Integrale]

When the Tesla hits 100 kmh the i8 is doing only 74 kmh.
When the i8 finally hits 100 the Tesla is doing 125
Tesla at 150 = i8 at 125

The i8 closes the gap over the final 50kph (30 mph) from 150kph to 200kph...

[kdog26372]

Originally Posted by HF Integrale

When the Tesla hits 100 kmh the i8 is doing only 74 kmh.
When the i8 finally hits 100 the Tesla is doing 125
Tesla at 150 = i8 at 125

The i8 closes the gap over the final 50kph (30 mph) from 150kph to 200kph...

When I pause the video at the 5 second mark it shows the Tesla at 18 kmh and the I8 at 1; so basically a 17 kmh headstart that builds very slightly up to 160 kmh and then spread reduces to the I8 favor after that, finishing only 5 kmh apart at the 200 kmh mark for the Tesla. I8 was building speed Tesla was starting to peter out. So up to 100 mph the Tesla will have more punch it seems, and after that it won't be. I mean the Tesla is quick, but no chance in hell it is at 18 kmh and the I8 is somehow stuck at 1; although every new BMW I've had in the last 5 years seems to have initial lag from a stop, perhaps the I8 is no different.

But, that being said, a very quick car for stop light racing in a big boat and if you don't do long drives and have a heated garage for winter, not the worst way to get around and avoid filling up at the pump. My office mate has a p85D and it is just that; quick for those punch it from a stop situations, cornering is not impressive, overall ride is just so so to me. Punching it on the highway not blistering. Fit/finish is very mediocre for a $125k car loaded up. Get into an S class Mercedes and the Tesla feels like a Tonka toy, no comparison. I will be interested to see their 3 series competitor in a few years, hopefully they'll focus more on overall driving experience vs 0-60 times and shed some serious weight. I never really see the Tesla being put through the slalom, around a track, just 0-60 or other straight line stuff, why is that?

[Epirali]

Originally Posted by kdog26372

When I pause the video at the 5 second mark it shows the Tesla at 18 kmh and the I8 at 1; so basically a 17 kmh headstart that builds very slightly up to 160 kmh and then spread reduces to the I8 favor after that, finishing only 5 kmh apart at the 200 kmh mark for the Tesla. I8 was building speed Tesla was starting to peter out. So up to 100 mph the Tesla will have more punch it seems, and after that it won't be. I mean the Tesla is quick, but no chance in hell it is at 18 kmh and the I8 is somehow stuck at 1; although every new BMW I've had in the last 5 years seems to have initial lag from a stop, perhaps the I8 is no different.

I can't quite tell, but it doesn't look like they used launch control on the i8. I don't think it will make a huge difference, but it does reduce the initial lag from start that is there without it.