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Tesla Issues Response To Top Gear Review
Top Gear Reviews Tesla Roadster
Detroit, 10:19 AM
Fri Dec 11
25 posts in the last 24 hours
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Tesla Issues Response To Top Gear Review |
Top Gear Reviews Tesla Roadster |
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12/18/08
12/18/08
I'd be a bit concerned about a car where a blown fuse renders the brakes inoperative. Is it easy to change the fuse? Is it covered in the owner's manual? Is it an oddball fuse? Does it happen all the time or was this unusual?
Tesla might have taken the precaution of sending a rep and/or a mechanic along with the car to make sure it was operating properly.
It was clear that TG wasn't being fair when complaining about the lengthy charge time from the wall socket. But they wanted to score a cheap shot.
There are lots of high performance cars that have a very limited window in which they can actual reach their limits. Part of Porsche's fame is that their cars can be driven to the track, flogged, and then counted on to head right back out into regular traffic. Plenty of exotics, tuner cars and hot rods seem like they're on the ragged edge of catastrophic failure whenever pushed.
Tesla should explain the mechanical/performance failures, put them right, and push for a retest.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
It accelerates on its own AND explodes during minor accidents!
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Obviously Top Gear did not have the Tesla Motors High Power Connector (probably a Tesla oversight).
The Tesla's Achilles heal is the 450kg battery pack. Replace it with a fuel cell and hydrogen tank, be interesting to see how that would go.
12/18/08
12/18/08
The "55 miles" thing sounds like a non-story.
12/18/08
12/18/08
/sarcasm
12/18/08
12/18/08
Clarkson went on to complain: "What is it with eating healthy that make one's movements so unbearable? I mean, if it's a choice between a quick chimney clean with a few years off the old ticker, or having to plan the day around dropping the cosby kids off at the pool and living another seven seconds, I'll take the former."
Mrs. Clarkson was unavailable for comment.
12/18/08
A little humorous jabbing goes a lot further than a deadpan, factual reaction like this.
12/18/08
I thought the segment was great. Clarkson was the typical asshole who entertains me every time I watch that glorious show. All I learned about the Tesla that day is that if you drive it like you stole it and toss it around a track, it will use more fuel (in this case, electrical charge), the non-performance tires will squeal a lot and the brakes could fail.
Gee. Really?
12/18/08
12/18/08
I don't know much about the braking systems on these cars, but I have to believe they are primarily hydraulic.
12/18/08
12/18/08
Tesla, stop being so sore, get back on the floor and have a boogie.