<![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet - Jalopnik Comments]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Yup! It'll be all HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY! until some tuxedo wearing, bimbo sporting, CELEB tries to exit the grand gala in a large way only to drop the pedal on a dead battery, ala the valet guy who just couldn't find a plug after a short spin with his g-friend. Then the DeLorean will be looking HOT. And so will the celeb, just not in the same way.

wonderwhy

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Wonder what old Saint Nik would make of all this? I think he'd find the financial side all too familiar.

Number_Six

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> For better or worse, Tesla has just made an adult's Power Wheels. POW POW POWER WHEELS!

meng_mao

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> So the investors forced Eberhard to adopt a two speed transmission which, according to even them, caused all the delays, then fired him for those delays and implemented his original design? Why don't they just cut him and rub salt in his wounds?

piththeelder

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Electric motor = tranny-melting torque. This is a big reason most conversions go for direct drive.

kingedwin

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> The bright side of the 1 speed transmission is that you won't have to worry about any harsh shifting or hunting between gears... LOL.

petersterncan

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @TPSreports: Doesn't that apply to most Italian cars?

petersterncan

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Call Staples.
More rubber bands needed.

eh_oh_hell

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> A one speed tranny? How many Civics and Camrys are gonna smoke this this thing?

shenanigans

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> DriveTrain 1.5 ? You really can't make this stuff up..

Are these guys -trying- to be the embodiment of the old 'if cars were as unreliable as computers..' joke?

Bad Juju

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @TR3-A: Your point, however, is valid, and the salient one for those who maintain that the Tesla business plan is backwards.

lascauxcaveman

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Ok, I should proof read more better. Have mercy, I'm getting old.

TR3-A

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> It might be useful to remember that when cars and airplanes first came out, who were they sold to rich people. And they weren't very reliable either. But rich people bought them maybe because nobody else could have them. Eventually, the price came down and the rest, as they say, is history.

TR3-A

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @goatrope: Word. It's all set up to be fast and gorgeous and exotic and expensive! Just get something/anything on the road in a meaningful way that's not pretending to be a Furai or a Pixar character in body design. You can tweak it later! Starting at the high end and planning to build down is dumb. Starting at the high end and not planning to build down is dumber.

NovaloadMissesPolar

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I've been wondering from the beginning why they even considered using a transmission. With an EV you want to create as light and as efficient as a system as you possibly can. Use sophisticated software and power controllers to smooth out the torque conversion. The next question in my mind, is if they are going without a tranny, is hopefully they'll switch to a chain, why not squeeze out that extra few percent of efficiency.

Does anyone remember the typical effeciencies of chain vs. belt vs. gears? IIRC belt is best in theory but in real world circumstances chain tends to be the best.

Jake

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> How low does Telsa have to drop the performance standards in order to declare "victory"?

I saw Jesse James and the Monster Garage gang build an all-electric, early 1960's Chevy drag car with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. As I recall, they did it in 5 days and had an out-of-pocket budget of $3,000 (plus the car and batteries). Maybe they should give him a call.

goatrope

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @Mad_Science: when they fill the current demand at $100k they will drop the price to $75k.

And so on...

I don't know how long they can sustain that, but it'll be fun to see.

lascauxcaveman

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Now that the Tesla goes from 0-60 in ONLY 5.7 seconds, maybe my WRX can beat it when I see one at an intersection?

Seriously, I hope this thing goes into production as planned...One big step for Hoon Kind!

akirachan

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @mzs: The bold, it rebukes you!

@TPSreports: You could say the same thing about a Ferrari or Lambo.

This car isn't meant to be the Model T of electrics. It's meant to be an expensive toy for those who'd like to do some conspicuous consuming in a less faux-macho way.

The real question in my mind is how sustainable the demand is. I fear the first year or two's sales will represent all the people who ever wanted one (and could afford one).

Mad_Science

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I really hope this thing sees the light of day.

gadgetfanatic

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> The bold, please make it stop it burns.

mzs

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> It reminds me of the monty python movie "I'm not dead yet' reply "you will be soon"as they bury him. That sums up Tesla.

quistrl

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> When will Hyundai make a cheap knock off?

RoninianHoon

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been clipping Duracell coupons out of the Sunday paper in anticipation...

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @DoctorNine: I always figured the way to get people interested in electric cars is to first build one that is fun, a real performer. So, me too, I hope these guys succeed.
@Mad_Science: Good point. A one-speed transmission is nothing but a reduction gear. Remember that electric motors have ALL their torque at zero RPM so getting off the line or going up hills won't be a problem. Electric motors can also have hellaciously high redlines compaired to reciprocating motors. So, from an engineering standpoint, this may not be a bad solution.

TR3-A

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Delorean?
Chery?
Yugo?

and to top it off:

Commuta Car.

econobiker

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> It's not dead; it's just... pining... for the fijords.

AmishJohn

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Even if this thing gets released to the market, it's going to be a huge disaster:

*** too expensive for most people

*** likely rife with problems

*** shaky company

*** no dealer network

*** full of bullshit hype

The Tesla is the DeLorean of 2008. Mark my words.

TPSreports

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I'm really glad they've found a way to deliver (at least, in some capacity). I don't think any of the people who intended to buy a $100k electric roadster are going to be disappointed with the results.

But I am curious...a 1 speed transmission? What the hell is a 1 speed transmission?

My artist's mockup:

Mad_Science

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Yaaaay...

I think.

You can tell it's got software people behind it. "Wait for the patch", indeed.

Shapeshifter

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> @SeanKHotay: That is, essentially, exactly what they did.

The next step is they add more rubber bands.

Elhigh

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I never said "no comment"...but I'll say it now.

allenparkpete

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Didn't I read somewhere the two-speed tranny was Musk's brainchild, and Eberhart wanted the single speed design from the beginning?

Seems like this is back to an earlier version.

jonnyobrien

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> "...fix the transmission woes..."

What, did they try a bigger wire?

SeanKHotay

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> *bong* "Bring out yer dead." *bong* "Bring out yer dead."

"Could you take me ol' dad?"

"He's not dead yet."

(Dad) "Really...I'm feelin' much better!"

(Cartman clunks Dad over the head.)

"Thanks, mate!"

Elhigh

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> That sounds like a solid $100K investment to me.

I hope the Chevy Volts come sooner then later and open the door for mass-produced electrics.

Vejmezo

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> not really a transmission if it only has one gear and no clutch. Sounds like a sensible solution though. Most electric drive systems don't bother with gears.

AndyDuncan

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> [crosses fingers] Please let them succeed. It's bad for the entire industry if they fail.

Miscellanea, now on the main floor!

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Even though it'll be a one-speed tranny, I hope it will have a dashboard pull-chain like my ceiling fan. And a toggle switch for reverse.

The Name's Ash78, Housewares

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> Begin compressions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.

Open airway, 1 breath 2 breaths

Compressions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.

Open airway, 1 breath 2 breaths

Compressions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.

Open airway, 1 breath 2 breaths

Compressions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15.

Open airway, 1 breath 2 breaths

Check for a pulse, oooh I think we may have something!

POLAЯMISSESEVEЯYBODY

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet]]> I really want to see these guys succeed, but with all the problems, from the battery miscalculations to the tranny, and now the cooling of the motor... They sure have a hill to climb even before they get to consumers. Will see how it all pans out.

DoctorNine makes tires squeal in terror

]]>