This had to be one of the easiest selections in Motor Trend history. Besides the obvious technology advancement, Tesla's Model S is probably also the most appealing American manufacturing story since its namesake Ford Model T. It's a hallmark shift in our (re)focus on technology driven advancement in manufacturing. And, unlike the other great company/story Apple, Teslas are built in the US (or at least assembled here).<p>It's just the right product at the right time, which pretty much is the definition of a winner.
While I'm a massive fan of what Tesla is achieving with their cars, and I lust after the Model S, the giant touchscreen in the Model S gives me pause.<p>Is it really such a good idea to have a glowing screen dominating the interior at night? To say nothing of the opportunities for distracted drivers trying to navigate a button-free interface that can't be operated without taking your eyes off the road to look at the items you're pressing, or the opportunity for modal errors that abound in systems like this.<p>Echoes of the disastrous usability in the BMW i-Drive system are ringing in my ears. I hope Tesla has learned from the mistakes of others. I'd very much like to see an independent UX evaluation of the Tesla's driver controls.
I got to see one of these in the wild yesterday - it's just beautiful. The door handles sit flush with the body... the charging port has an electromagnetic flip-open... the charger itself is beautiful... and it twirls lights around the charger handle until it's completely full, at which point it goes dark.<p>Beautiful, cool, wonderful 21st century engineering.
The Model S has also won Automobile car of the year (<a href="http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1301_2013_automobile_of_the_year_tesla_model_s/viewall.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1301_2013_autom...</a>)<p>and the Yahoo car of the year (<a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/tesla-model-2013-yahoo-autos-car-165907072.html" rel="nofollow">http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/tesla-model-2013-yaho...</a>)
Tesla is the most innovative brand in cars. We need EVs to get independent from oil.<p>We are now in a time of pioneers in a new world. There will be a lot of failures but also successes. I have a good feeling with Tesla's way.<p>Here is why:<p><pre><code> 1. The design is exceptional
2. Their power train is simple. They didn't make the decision to use an extender like Volt which requires three hydraulic clutches
3. They extend the range through super chargers
4. They are aiming at the right target group
5. The time is right
6. Mr. Musk is a visionary</code></pre>
These are beautiful. I saw a Fisker Karma EVer in the wild today. These companies are doing such impressive design work on EVs. Why is there such a big gap between these works of art and the Volt? Surely there's a market for a 40-50k electric vehicle with good lines.
I guess no one at BMW, Mercedes or Audi has read the Innovator's dilemma.<p>That said, the German government tried to create many incentives for creating "greener" cars. However, the manufacturers IMO seemed to pour money into lobbying against it, rather then putting their engineers to work.<p>Depending on how much Tesla eats into their market share, it could be a tough road ahead for the German car industry (and, to some extent, for the whole German economy). Especially considering how long it takes them to come up with an answer to the Prius...
This is a legitimate award, much more so than the previous HN post award.<p>Ugh, I wish Model S vs. Model X weren't such a hard choice. An AWD Model S would be perfect (I'll give up the Frunk, it's too small to hold anything I care about).
I got to test drive a Model S last week and it was even better than expected. It felt like pure power when I put my foot down on the pedal and I was smiling most of the drive. It really does feel like they made the best car that happens to be electric, not just a good electric car. I can't wait for the 3rd gen 30k range car to come out.
Anyone here able to drive one yet? Or even own one? I'm curious to hear from someone with personal use and how it compares to other luxury cars. It's the little things I'm curious about.
If Tesla continues and succeeds, I wonder what it will do to the ideas of innovation/disruption coming from the bottom end & competing with non consumption, being ignored by serious operators, etc.
I just walked by a 'Tesla Event' full of rich looking folk in NYC. I guess that's what it was for.<p>Edit: confirmed.<p><a href="http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/10990-Special-Event-with-Elon-in-NYC-on-Nov-12" rel="nofollow">http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/10990-Special-...</a>
So how long before electric cars make a serious dent in auto sales? Certainly not within the next four years. Possibly within ten. What percentage of sales will electric cars have to be before people can buy without worrying about resale or the like?
The $49k base price is totally misleading. To get the "supercharger" access that makes road trips possible, you're out another $12k at least ($10k 60kWh battery plus $2k "supercharger" fee). Nav is $4k. Putting the rapid charger into your home (if you have one and don't park in an apartment complex/on the street) is another four figures.<p>All this to match the performance and luxury of the Acura TL I could get for $40k.<p>Is it really the best car in the world if it's impractical or out of reach for most people?<p>EDIT: Yes, I know <i>all</i> car manufacturers use a deceptively low base price and then nail you on "options" like air conditioning. Frankly I've often wished there was a law, or at least a gentleman's agreement in the auto industry, mandating that something can be an "option" for a maximum ten years before it's considered part of the basic accoutrements in a modern car and gets rolled in to all units shipped. Also, Tesla prides themselves outwardly on not being like the rest of the auto industry, but inherits its worst practice and magnifies it tenfold - base price $49 but for something usable you're pushing $70.