EV cherry popped.... plus

[mik]

Thanks to a tip-off from ScottA i got myself into a Lotus Owners Club visit to the Edinburgh Tesla service centre for a presentation, look at the S and X models, look at the Service centre, and drive of the cars. Plus some scoffs n coffee. ScottA was there too of course.



Arrived quite early and got sandwiched between two original Elans. The Evora looked huge! The 3rd Elan (on steels with hubcaps) was running 145-section tyres ffs.





Then a bloke that owns a carbon bodied Evora GTE arrived in his 570GT. With his dad who must have been in his 90s.

Stunning car. Had it 5m and he's already put 11k miles on.





Presentation (with questions and heckling welcomed) was interesting. Look around the cars was ok. Look around the workshop was ok - not a great deal to see... no oils or shizzle spilt on the floor anywhere.

Then the chance to drive. Supposed to be 3 sharing a car, but I was one of 2 in a P75D modelS. So i got to drive 2 of the 3 stints.



Probably did 20 miles in total. Eerily quiet but i didnt actually miss the lack of engine noise. Its a big saloon, not a sports car. Despite being the base model, it certainly has some guts. Shove was amusingly instant given the quoted stats (0-60 in 4.2s) was no more or less than I was expecting. Steering was pretty inert, and although we did some country roads, there wasnt much it the way of clear sighted bends, so not much chance to push the grip.

The weirdest part was the strong regenerative braking (set to max in that car). Normal driving requires no use of brakes. Apparently they replace more brakes due to corrosion than wear. You quickly get used to it, but it is annoying when you do brake for a bend or junction and then find the car still braking as you come off that pedal. Maybe just need more practice.

Whilst I was popping cherries, i also drove it in autonomous mode. Dual carrieway with the car steering /accelerating / braking itself. Very strange experience. Available to every Tesla owner for the last 7months or something. I can see that it is probably the future and will appeal hugely to many. But it sure was spooky....

An interesting morning though.

[Jobbo]

I’ve not tried a fully electric car yet. I think I’ll like it.

Have tried autonomous driving though. Must have done at least 20 miles of the M5 using the self-driving mode on my Volvo (standard on mine and I assume all other S90s and V90s). It’s disconcerting at times but was fantastic in half an hour or so of traffic jams. Very stress-free for that bit. I’m not convinced about how it reacts to other traffic when doing 70 though.

[NotoriousREV]

I drove from Bala to Pwllheli in the dark and rain, in heavy traffic, with the family on board almost entirely using the active cruise control. I would’ve loved it if did the steering too.

[McSwede]

I really enjoyed my Tesla experience. The instant shove and the lack of noise is very impressive and I think as a commuting tool to recharge at work they'd be awesome. Those full bore starts would never get boring!

[Mito Man]

Still think Tesla are screwed long term once the mainstream manufacturers start making a proper effort - spend some time in an i Pace and the more expensive Model X feels like it’s about 10 years behind it.

[Rich B]

They’ve come up with a good fix for range anxiety too.

[Holley]

Had my first go in an i3 over the weekend. Wife is looking at replacing her 208 and her strict criteria is it must be quick, cheap to run, automatic, specious (but small!) and have a low window line.

Really liked it and quite fun to drive. The brake re-gen thing takes a while to get used to (I actually started to feel sick) but becomes a game in itself to try and smooth progress.

My daughter preferred it to my car though

£3.5k gov grant, £2k dealership contribution and 2.9% apr. Quite tempted.

[Foz]

Still an absolute fortune though?

[Mito Man]

At least they’re depreciating faster than they can accelerate, they make a good used purchase especially as the whole thing is made from plastic and doesn’t show any wear
I looked at the hidden service menu and battery degradation is at 7% after 54,000 miles.

[Gwaredd]

Still think Tesla are screwed long term once the mainstream manufacturers start making a proper effort - spend some time in an i Pace and the more expensive Model X feels like it’s about 10 years behind it.

The i Pace is a nice car, but it's not a well thought out EV. It's like they've taken a normal IC engined SUV and put batteries in it, whereas the Teslas feel like they've been designed from the ground up as an EV because, well, they have.

Example. No proper rear middle seat in the i Pace, so it's cramped for 3. As is the cockpit. It's a georgeous cockpit, but what's with the massive centre console that potrudes into the legspace area? I was instantly uncomfortable. Shame really, as it's cheaper than a Tesla & the quality is much higher.

[Jobbo]

Yeah, why does the iPace look like every other Jag, eh? Oh.

[Gwaredd]

What?

[mik]

Watt?

Fixed that for you. No charge.

[Mito Man]

I imagine it’s built on a special EV chassis rather than a modified existing JLR one?

Side note that it’s subcontracted to arguably the best mass production car factory in the world - Magna Steyr and whatever they make usually has impeccable fit and finish.

[scotta]

Still think Tesla are screwed long term once the mainstream manufacturers start making a proper effort - spend some time in an i Pace and the more expensive Model X feels like it’s about 10 years behind it.

The i Pace is a nice car, but it's not a well thought out EV. It's like they've taken a normal IC engined SUV and put batteries in it, whereas the Teslas feel like they've been designed from the ground up as an EV because, well, they have.

Example. No proper rear middle seat in the i Pace, so it's cramped for 3. As is the cockpit. It's a georgeous cockpit, but what's with the massive centre console that potrudes into the legspace area? I was instantly uncomfortable. Shame really, as it's cheaper than a Tesla & the quality is much higher.

I drove an i-Pace at the trackday i was at on Saturday. I found none of what you've said above.

Its roomy inside. The dash is good. was very comfortable - didnt find leg-space limited. The 3rd seat in the middle isnt a full seat ill give you that.

The bonnet is fairly short as there is no IC engine up front. It has quite obviously been designed as an EV from the ground up!

I wouldn't pay £82k for one though! (First edition prices. Base model from £62k..Which i wouldnt pay for one either.)

[Jobbo]

The i Pace is a nice car, but it's not a well thought out EV. It's like they've taken a normal IC engined SUV and put batteries in it

What Scott said. It's nothing like a normal SUV which has the IC engine replaced with batteries. Look at the proportions of it; tiny bonnet, wheels at each corner; it's a fairly uniquely-proportioned thing, not like that nasty whale which is the Tesla Model X. Looks more like a coupe version of an MPV to me.

If you're talking about Tesla trying to alter the way car interiors look, that's not at all specific to EVs. That's just the style they're going for.

[scotta]

The i Pace is a nice car, but it's not a well thought out EV. It's like they've taken a normal IC engined SUV and put batteries in it

What Scott said. It's nothing like a normal SUV which has the IC engine replaced with batteries. Look at the proportions of it; tiny bonnet, wheels at each corner; it's a fairly uniquely-proportioned thing, not like that nasty whale which is the Tesla Model X. Looks more like a coupe version of an MPV to me.

If you're talking about Tesla trying to alter the way car interiors look, that's not at all specific to EVs. That's just the style they're going for.

The Jaguar guy who was giving us the tour said the interior dimensions are actually larger than the XJ...

[Gwaredd]

OK, to make it clear I was talking about the interior of the car, not the exterior or the way it looks. The Tesla feels & is airy & roomy, the i Pace not so much. My left leg hit the centre console way too easily. I have way more room in my ageing Alhambra.

For the money, I felt it was a missed opportunity, and not having 3 full seats in the rear when you have no transmission/exhaust tunnel or fuel tank underneath,is unforgiveable. It should be an option at the very least.

IMO of course, as no doubt it's wrong for me to notice these things

[RobYob]

Drove a new Leaf this afternoon, pretty impressed. Not hideous, nicely pokey, not sure if I like e-pedal or really like e-pedal.

Annoying very high pitched whine at crawling speed though and doubly annoying lack of seat and wheel adjustment for the powerfully built company director types.

[Barry]

My folks recently swapped their 24kwh Leaf for an Hyundai iOniq. Supposedly a rival for the current Leaf but available and cheaper. Haven't tried it yet, will report back in a few weeks when I'm up that way for Crimbo break.