Comments on: Tesla clears up some of Clarkson’s claims during Tesla Roadster test drive

By: johnny

johnny — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:32:18 +0000

Maybe if Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk wasn't such an cocky ass they'd be able to build good, quality car. That thing can't even corner decently, much less go more than 100 miles.

By: HMMM

HMMM — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:18:59 +0000

I believe they were comparing the price tag to the Lotus was due to the fact that the Tesla is based on the Elise?!

It makes sense to compare the two, since one is a gasoline variant and the other..pure charge. I don't see what the fuzz is about the mention of FCX( Clarity). The point is, there is a price to pay if you want the latest technologies. I think the readers here can figure that out on their own without and prejudices.

By: Bobmarley

Bobmarley — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:13:41 +0000

im pretty sure the 244 miles on a single charge is based on everyday normal driving. It does make sense that the car only lasted 55miles since Clarkson was never driving at normal street speeds and acceleration. He was driving the Tesla to its extreme the whole time doing speed runs and redlining it around the track. I guess what weve learned from this is that they need to have more range tests ie city/hwy and maybe track/racing?

anyone see the super car race with 1 gal of gas? Almost every car got around 1mpg! …even though their rated at 8-12mpg's…..oh and cal mentioned the prius track test getting only 14mpg's

By: cal

cal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:27:20 +0000

Even a Prius only got 14mph on their track, that isn't a surprise that the battery of Tesla Roadster can only last 55 miles. And no matter what's the reason of the brake failure, it is still a brake failure which is fatal, yes a blown fuse can cost lifes, what if one of your 100 customers drives his car out on the street and a little fuse blown suddenly which cause brake failure? That's Top Gear, they won't just keep praising the car they tested, they will tell the audience if they found any downsides. Two seasons ago they tested the Euro ver. Honda Civic Type R and even said that is absolutely a piece of rubbish. Please keep in mind that they are doing a road test but not an ad for Tesla, however we totally understand that why you are trying to cover (or “clear”) up all the bad things they said about Tesla Roadster. Anyway that would be great if you guys can listen to what they said and improve the car instead of pissing off like a kid. Also I can't see they are advertising the FCX (which is what you said, not in production yet) but a factual documentry that try to give an idea to the audience of the future of the world especially auto industry as what Honda make is absolutely revolutionary. They have stated the price to fill up the tank of the FCX is acutally almost the same as gasoline but to recharge the battery of Tesla Roadster is only 3.5pounds, does it make you guys happier?

Think about it.

By: HMMM

HMMM — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:26:14 +0000

I wonder if Ms.Konrad was on the track as they were filming and pushing the car into the service bay?

Also 233 miles on a single charge, does it pertains to driving normally at normal speeds..or can the 233 miles be applied to top speed and abusive driving that anyone under normal conditions wouldn't be able to do so? Afterall, this is a track racing and they have been pushing the car to its limits 13000- 14000 rpm?!

If i were to compare the electric Tesla to a mobile phone or camera which uses the same type of batteries. There are real world differences in terms of how long the charge can stay up. 3 hours of Continuous Talk time, 1.5 hours or so of 3.5G Video Call to a standby of 10 days.

If those ratios were to apply on the 233 Miles range, then I suppose Clarkson's claim of 50 something miles of nonstop top speed top rpm fun would be correct in real life situations (if u were to compare it to how a cell phone drains the battery)?

Something to think about.

By: shamsul yunos

shamsul yunos — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:32:00 +0000

if the fuse stopped the brakes from functioning, the net effect is ....brake failure

Clarkson did say that the charge time is 16 hours if you feed the car through a 13-amp plug... i don't know whether using a 15-amp plug makes much of a difference

Maybe Honda paid for the segment,, after all Mercedes has had a hydrogen fuel cell car programme longer than Honda and the A-Class F-Cell is a far superior car in terms of packaging and quality

but both are super expensive