{"id":92420,"date":"2015-04-10T13:35:38","date_gmt":"2015-04-10T17:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=92420"},"modified":"2015-04-10T13:35:40","modified_gmt":"2015-04-10T17:35:40","slug":"first-drive-tesla-model-s-70d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2015\/04\/first-drive-tesla-model-s-70d\/","title":{"rendered":"First Drive: Tesla Model S 70D"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Tesla's new entry-level 70D doesn't exactly give off an "base model" feel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tesla may have pushed back the planned introduction of its second model-line, but it has also been rapidly expanding the number of variants of its big Model S. Only a few months after adding its first all-wheel-drive version, as well as the fastest Model S yet, the Silicon Valley start-up is adding a new base model to the Model S mix.<\/p>\n

To be more precise, it is dropping the old base version in favor of a faster, longer-range spin-off, the Tesla Model S 70D. At $76,200 before the applicable federal tax credit, and making a healthy 514 horsepower, this is not exactly what you\u2019d consider your typical base vehicle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Last Word!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019d certainly be hard-pressed to tell while taking the 70D out for a drive, as we did this week shortly after Tesla announced the changes to its line-up.<\/p>\n

The new variant replaces the old 60D which was about $5,000 lower in base price. At first glance, you\u2019d have a hard time telling the two apart \u2013 or differentiating the 70D from any other Model S, for that matter.<\/p>\n

The primary differences, beyond badging, are found under the hood, so to speak. What you get, first of all, is a larger, 70 kilowatt-hour battery good for an estimated range of 240 miles per charge. That\u2019s better than the old 60d at 208 miles, and not all that much behind the top-line Model S, and more than double what just about every other battery-electric vehicle on the road now can deliver.<\/p>\n

For many potential buyers, the 70d should provide more than enough travel to obviate \u201crange anxiety.\u201d It\u2019s about as much as most drivers would likely track in a week. Notably, the 70D comes with the unlimited use of Tesla\u2019s fast-expanding Supercharger network, a $2,000 option on the old 60D. There are currently more than 250 of those super-fast chargers in place around the U.S. and Canada, and lots more are coming.<\/p>\n

The heart of the drivetrain is a pair of electric motors, one for each axle, and each producing a peak of 257 hp. In reality, you\u2019re never going to see all of those 514 ponies. For a variety of reasons, Tesla has used software to limit output to a peak 329-hp.<\/p>\n

Then again, when it comes to battery-cars, horsepower isn\u2019t the primary number to worry about; it\u2019s torque. Electric motors make 100% of their wheel-spinning torque the moment they\u2019re turned on, which is why a beefy enough electric drivetrain can press you firmly into your seat when you slam the throttle.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Tesla has not yet released torque numbers for the Model S 70D, but even a short drive will suggest that the number is measured in gobs. Heading out on a winding course that combined wide boulevards, Interstates and local roads, we needed only a matter of minutes to recognize that the new sedan is quick. Very, very quick. Passing maneuvers were lightning fast, as was our merge onto I-75. We had to back off the throttle barely halfway down the entrance ramp and were still pushing well into extra-legal numbers.<\/p>\n

Officially, Tesla lists a 0 to 60 launch of 5.2 seconds. While we didn’t have enough time to run our stopwatch we’re inclined to believe that number errs on the conservative side.<\/p>\n

The Model S 70D proved nimble and adept at weaving through traffic with a firm yet comfortable ride, its suspension intuitive enough to know when to hunker down for more aggressive maneuvers.<\/p>\n

That \u201cD,\u201d incidentally, is the tip-off that this is one of Tesla\u2019s new all-wheel-drive models<\/p>\n

If there was any surprise with the sedan it was the noise level. No, it wasn\u2019t loud. It was easy to hold a normal conversation, but it was slightly louder than some other EVs we have driven. Cutting the decibels is a major challenge for plug-based automakers who have to deal with the so-called stumps-in-the-swamp syndrome. All those belts and pulleys, the little motors and even the crackle of tire rubber no longer are masked by the sound of a roaring internal combustion engine.<\/p>\n

As for the sound of the drivetrain itself, the Tesla Model S, in all its forms, produces a confident whine as you accelerate, not unlike the sound of the battery race cars in the new Formula E series. To classic muscle car fans it may be more like a scratching phonograph needle. To techies \u2013 who may never have heard a phono \u2013 it\u2019s music to the ears.<\/p>\n

(Tesla introduces entry-level Model S. For more about the 70D, <\/em>Click Here<\/a><\/span>.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 70d\u2019s interior is basically the same as the top-line P85D, complete with the massive touchscreen display that serves all manner of functionality, from operating the climate control system to locating nearby chargers.<\/p>\n

Tesla recently upgraded software \u2013 remotely and automatically, one might note \u2013 among other things providing the ability to predict when you\u2019ll need to recharge and helping you find a charger along the way. It\u2019s not only one of the most functional infotainment systems we have seen, but also the fastest. We wish our laptop computer was as quick.<\/p>\n

(<\/em>Click Here<\/a><\/span>\u00a0for details about Tesla’s new quarterly delivery record.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The digital technology includes adaptive cruise control and a collision warning system. It also has the capability of being upgraded \u2013 again, automatically \u2013 once Tesla launches its semi-autonomous Autopilot technology in the next year.<\/p>\n

Is it worth the money? Factor in the $7,500 tax credit and a few options and you\u2019re coming in around $70,000. It\u2019s steep but not out of line with similar luxury vehicles offering the same level of performance. Meanwhile, Tesla will quickly remind you of the money you\u2019re saving on fuel.<\/p>\n

(To see more about the revival of the Fisker Karma, <\/em>Click Here<\/a><\/span>.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

No, it\u2019s not going to take the California carmaker into the mainstream, but the addition of the Model S 70d is likely to expand the appeal of this battery sedan, Tesla already reporting record sales in the latest quarter. It\u2019s a fun car to drive \u2013 one that will shock anyone who thinks of battery cars as slow and stodgy. It\u2019s also lavishly equipped. And it suggests that Tesla is becoming a serious challenger to traditional luxury brands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tesla is expanding its Model S variants. Only a few months after adding its first all-wheel-drive version, as well as the fastest Model S yet, the Silicon Valley start-up is adding a new base model to the Model S mix. Check out TheDetroitBureau.com for a review.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":92432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"make":[],"post-state":[],"category_old":[151],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92420"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92420"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92420\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92420"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=92420"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=92420"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=92420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}