Moto Trend Car Of The Year 2013: Tesla Model S

[Bernie]

I'm glad the Model S got it. I drive by the Tesla plant every day when I go to work. A friend of mine got a job there after a year of unemployment. I saw someone driving a Model S on the road outside of the plant the day after the award was announced and it made me smile, because I recognized the car (I wouldn't have the day before the award.) I'm not a big car guy, but I like seeing an American company experience some success.

BTW, Solyndra is on my route to work, too, so now there's balance in the industrial scenery on my daily drive.

 

[CharlieO]

I've always wondered, when you go on a trip you probably just go all gasoline. But how do you recharge when you're parking at a hotel in central Florida for 5 days?

Simple. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Palm Beach Gardens for two nights last month. After I made my reservation, I called the front desk to inquire about the possibility of charging my car. The desk clerk couldn't possibly have been more helpful. She called the on-site maintenance guy, who pointed out that there is a perfect parking space on the side of the building near the air conditioning units, and there is a 120 volt electrical outlet within 15 feet of that space. That space was always open whenever I came and went, and I got a full charge for free both nights. By the way, if management wanted to spend a little money for a 240 volt charger, that location would be perfect.

When we arrived at the hotel, the desk clerk and the maintenance man wanted to check out my car, and also wanted to be sure that the space was "right" for my needs. They immediately "got it," recognizing that the hotel can now advertise that they have free charging available for electric cars.

Don't be surprised if you find EV chargers at Marriott Hotels: http://www.blogs.marriott.com/marriott-on-the-move/2010/11/enjoying-a-smooth-quiet-ride-in-the-new-chevrolet-volt.html

 

[elicross]

Good to see an American industry not a decade behind in its products. Pity it's a small company leading the way.

Nick, there you are!

For a moment, I thought you had passed up this prime opportunity to take a gratuitous shot at the U.S. I couldn't believe it...then I realized I'd forgotten to set my clock back. Thanks for the reminder; you're as reliable as ever.

(By the way: Another U.S. manufacturer that was once a small company leading the way was Ford. Oh, and Fender. )

 

[raito]

Thought about a Leaf. But my longest daily drive is just too close to the govt-figured range. Any drop in battery life and I'd be screwed. Besides, whatever I get has to substitute in range for the minivan in a pinch.

Thought about a Volt. But again, range is a problem, and its mileage on gas seems to be somewhat less than a Prius. And I know I can fit a 9 foot pole in a Prius, which I have to do often.

So it looks like a hybrid of some kind is in my future.

 

[Nick JD]

(By the way: Another U.S. manufacturer that was once a small company leading the way was Ford. Oh, and Fender. )

Both still making 50 year old products.

Apart from Apple ... most are selling nostelgia to a customer base desperately trying to believe it's not 2012.

 

[elicross]

Both still making 50 year old products.

Apart from Apple ... most are selling nostelgia to a customer base desperately trying to believe it's not 2012.

Well, not every country can be the huge innovator and exporter of cutting-edge technology that Australia is.

 

[Toto'sDad]

You guys won't be so enamored of those fancy new electric automobiles when they eat up all the electricity from the hungry little Telecasters. Then you'll have to sit on a bicycle powered generator and pump like mad just to stay in practice.

 

[Nick JD]

Well, not every country can be the huge innovator and exporter of cutting-edge technology that Australia is.

Decades of cutting-edge research went into producing a bent stick that returns to the thrower.

 

[cowboytwang]

Decades of cutting-edge research went into producing a bent stick that returns to the thrower.

My favorite is the "get a tree branch and stick it into a termite nest, to let them hollow it out, then dab a little bees wax on the end and blow."
Rest of the world is trying to build complex musical instruments and you guys just grab a stick and some bugs, then make music with it.

 

[tap4154]

Good to see an American industry not a decade behind in its products. Pity it's a small company leading the way.

Electric cars were first made in the 1830s. To be honest, I don't see anything cutting edge about them. Massive, heavy batteries that eat up rare Earth elements, and most don't perform as advertised. The Volt is overly-complicated IMHO, and not a long-term solution. Can you imagine the mess we'd have if everyone was driving around with these massive batteries, which have to be recycled, and everyone having to plug them into the electric grid every night?

Word from an engineer nephew of mine in the AQMD is that they're looking back to better diesel and natural gas engines, and away from electric, until the next real breakthrough engine comes around. They've been looking at all kinds of alternatives, including compressed air engines.

 

[Ricky D.]

I own a Volt.

- It is not a "tiny" car. It is classified as a mid-size 4 passenger sedan, which meets the needs of the majority of American drivers.

- It is not a "short range" car. The ACTUAL range of my Volt is betwen 380 and 400 miles without recharging, if I choose to burn gasoline. I have driven my Volt 360 miles in one day.

- The ELECTRIC range is between 40 and 50 miles on a full charge, which meets the daily driving needs of the majority of American drivers. The average driver in the US drives approximately 33 miles per day, and 72 percent drive less than 40 miles per day.

- The comfort level is not equivalent to an "entry level sub-compact." My Volt is extremely quiet, as should be expected in a vehicle that is propelled by electric motors. In gas mode, the engine is usually barely audible inside the vehicle. The climate contol system, navigation system, and Volt-specific Bose audio system (with 30 gigabyte hard drive) are among the best in the American auto industry. Safety features include 8 airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. My "entry level subcompact" is also equipped with a backup camera and front and rear parking sensors.

-It is not an expensive car, when compared to other cars which offer all of the above-mentioned features. Compare the technology and features of the Volt to a BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, or Mercedes C-class. If you take the time to do this, I think that you'll be surprised.

-The cost for electricity to operate my Volt in September was $23.41.

Let's hear about your experience behind the wheel of a Volt, Ricky D, and then tell us all about what you drive.

Sorry, Charlie. I just figured since the dealers are having an impossible time selling them to the public, they must be overpriced. There's always a price that clears the market, and the Volt is way over that, regardless of the features. Almost everybody who can afford one buys something else. Obviously, those features hit the bullseye for you, and I'm glad you have a car you like that much.

 

[tschommer]

I drove a Tesla Roadster a few years ago and it was pretty fun, the torque and acceleration were mind boggling. I hope the company does well and makes it big.

 

[Buckocaster51]

1971 Car of the Year was the Chevrolet VEGA.

I think they rusted in the showroom.

Here is the complete list.

Some hits.

Some misses.

Mostly so-so.

I think.



It would be fun to drive a TESLA.

Electric cars have great promise.

 

[CharlieO]

Sorry, Charlie. I just figured since the dealers are having an impossible time selling them to the public, they must be overpriced. There's always a price that clears the market, and the Volt is way over that, regardless of the features. Almost everybody who can afford one buys something else. Obviously, those features hit the bullseye for you, and I'm glad you have a car you like that much.

I really would like to know where you are getting your information. Dealers are not having "an impossible time selling them to the public." Sales numbers might not be as high as GM originally estimated, but the Volt currently is selling better than 50% of the car models that are currently offered by automobile manufacturers in the US.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2012/0922/Failure-Hardly.-Chevy-Volt-outsells-half-of-all-US-cars and http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2012/09/24/august-chevrolet-volt-sales-redefine-failure/

In recent months, GM has been selling approximately 3000 Volts per month in the US, and sales have now begun in several other countries. Some US dealers have not done a very good job selling the Volt, and will try to steer potential buyers into something else that is in their inventory. Other dealers, notably some in Florida, California, Maryland, and Missouri, are selling dozens of Volts monthly and shipping them to eager buyers around the country. For the dealers that fail to do the job, it's their loss.

 

[tap4154]

I really would like to know where you are getting your information. Dealers are not having "an impossible time selling them to the public." Sales numbers might not be as high as GM originally estimated, but the Volt currently is selling better than 50% of the car models that are currently offered by automobile manufacturers in the US.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2012/0922/Failure-Hardly.-Chevy-Volt-outsells-half-of-all-US-cars and http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2012/09/24/august-chevrolet-volt-sales-redefine-failure/

In recent months, GM has been selling approximately 3000 Volts per month in the US, and sales have now begun in several other countries. Some US dealers have not done a very good job selling the Volt, and will try to steer potential buyers into something else that is in their inventory. Other dealers, notably some in Florida, California, Maryland, and Missouri, are selling dozens of Volts monthly and shipping them to eager buyers around the country. For the dealers that fail to do the job, it's their loss.

You forgot to mention that a very large number of Volts go to government fleets...

But hey, if you enjoy your Volt, great.

 

[CharlieO]

You forgot to mention that a very large number of Volts go to government fleets...

But hey, if you enjoy your Volt, great.

Another Fox New watcher. A large number of MANY automobiles sold go to government fleets, and anyway, it's probably a good idea for government agencies to buy Volts. The lower cost of operation will save the taxpayers a lot of money in the long run, and considering the government's investment in GM and the Volt, would you rather have them buy Chryslers? The other thing you should know is that many of those "government" sales are not to the United States government. State and local governments are buying them, in part because of the "green" movement, but also to save money.

 

[tap4154]

Another Fox New watcher. A large number of MANY automobiles sold go to government fleets, and anyway, it's probably a good idea for government agencies to buy Volts. The lower cost of operation will save the taxpayers a lot of money in the long run, and considering the government's investment in GM and the Volt, would you rather have them buy Chryslers?

No, I'd rather see them buy Fords, so their vehicles aren't in the shop constantly, being repaired

 

[Bones]

Decades of cutting-edge research went into producing a bent stick that returns to the thrower.

I like the animals with their own pockets, really innovative stuff.

 

[Slow Reflexes]

You forgot to mention that a very large number of Volts go to government fleets...

And of course any entity that buys very large numbers of vehicles doesn't count.

...eat up rare Earth elements...

Which isn't an issue with the Tesla, as it uses AC induction motors (no permanent magnets, so no rare earths) and Lithium-ion batteries (also no rare earths). Granted, that doesn't apply to the Volt.

...and most don't perform as advertised.

That's the part I see as being the problem. Electrical storage is the fundamental obstacle.

Hard to argue against a 7 passenger high performance vehicle with a 300 mile range, though. I'd say Tesla is doing useful work here.

 

[CharlieO]

No, I'd rather see them buy Fords, so their vehicles aren't in the shop constantly, being repaired

Have you checked Ford's J.D. Powers ratings recently? Have you compared them to the Volt's?