At Tesla, the laws of evolution differ from those prevailing in the rest of the automotive industry. The range is in perpetual technological progress, without the brand necessarily notifying the press or its customers of every innovation brought to its cars. Thus, since the beginning of its production in 2012, 73% of the components of the Model S have been modified, which will probably (and logically) have escaped the vast majority of us.
This approach recalls that in force in the computer, with computers whose data sheets are changed every week or almost, at the risk of annoying customers dreading to buy (expensive) a model outdated a few days later. But Elon Musk, boss of Tesla, cuts short criticism: "if you wait for a Tesla to stop evolving to buy one, you will never buy Tesla. "
Which brings us directly to the car being tested. As a reminder, the Model S is the big sedan of the American brand. 4.97 meters long and with a total load of 809 liters (including 750 liters for the trunk), it is cut for family use. The rear passengers are particularly pampered, enjoying a cabin surrounded by light thanks to the transparent roof and devoid of an unpleasant transmission tunnel limiting the space to the legs.
when competition begins to grow in the premium electric niche, including a formidable Porsche Taycan whose entry-level model costs € 102,632 bonus included (€ 17,632 more than this Model S) , Tesla simplifies its offer to only two versions, "Performance" and "Great Autonomy"
Invoiced € 85,000 bonus included, the latter announces a 0 to 100 km / h shipped in 3.8 s, while its 100 kWh battery pack provides 610 km of autonomy according to the WLTP standard. And 610 km in WLTP, it is the equivalent of 450 km of highway, even a little more if you have the light foot.
What to see the country, therefore, taking advantage of the free recharge for life on the vast network of Superchargers deployed by the brand, which currently has 70 stations in France, for a total of more than 570 terminals (plus terminals of charging at destination, but at a slower rate). Of course, the Tesla can also fill up with electrons on the fast terminals of the Ionity network, which develop gradually (but then you have to count 8 € per charge).
The Model S is equipped with two independent motors that ensure full traction, and the torque distribution from one axle to another is optimized at all times for the best efficiency. Fans of technology will remember that it is a permanent magnet motor that takes place at the front, while there is an induction motor in the back.
A self-adaptive suspension completes the device: it automatically lowers the car on a fast track to improve aerodynamic efficiency, and stiffens as the pace accelerates. In use, it appears especially that the depreciation of this Tesla is one of its strengths. The filtration of the unevenness of the road is remarkable, and erases the clumsy character that one could fear on a car whose weight is greater than two tons.
This Model S is surprisingly agile in cornering sequences, and the pleasure provided by a precise front-end gear is enhanced by a near-perfect steering, comparable to that of a BMW.
Of course, this Model S has many driving aids: autonomous emergency braking, track maintenance assistance and semi-automatic driving are among the standard equipment.
Added to this are more anecdotal features that came with the V10, the latest version of the software that controls the car. For example, the "Joe mode", which allows you to mute the alerts so as not to disturb / wake passengers when they sleep. What is this name for? Simple: because according to Musk it is one of the best features ever added on its cars, and that it addresses absolutely everyone ("Joe" just designate Mr. all-the -world). There is also the "dog mode", which allows an animal left alone to enjoy a perfectly tempered cabin (an alert is sent to your smartphone if the battery falls below 10% load).
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