26/06/2010 – I drove the Tesla Roadster!
Last month I had the opportunity to drive the Tesla Roadster in Madrid, Spain. I read many things on the Tesla and so I couldn’t wait to test it. All my expectations were exceeded! This car is an amazing piece of machinery. Although I am not an expert in fast conventional cars, the Tesla Roadster gave me the impression of driving something different: not just a car capable of 0-100 Km/h in less than 4 seconds, but all the rest that comes with it. The emotional aspect of this car is very important, and present when you are driving it. It is something different from all the rest, and so it is very difficult to compare it with another car in the market.
Another aspect of this car I want to mention is its range. Many people complain about today’s range on electric cars. In a way they have the right to be critical, because if you are traveling long trips, you need to take 12-hours rests every 150 km or so… and so an electric car makes long trips difficult to make if we compare to the time needed to “recharge” a petrol-based car, 5 mins to fill the tank. This fact causes a significant reduction of the target customer range suited for this car. So be it. That’s OK. Every product has its market. People who buys this car obviously do not consider to make long trips with it, and that is because they don’t complain about its range, not the contrary, simple!
If you are a person that like technology, that appreciate the quite and smooth ride in a car, and enjoys the fact that the car is in fact electric (this is very subjective, but real and powerful), then a car like the Tesla will suit you…
Oops! I forgot to mention a non-negligible fact about the car: you need to spend over 100 KEUR to own one…
