SS/RS VS. Tesla Roadster electric - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CyberSS Guy · 08-21-2011, 01:34 AM

So, this is really an apples and pinapples comparision but what the 4ell!

So, my buddy in SF pings me and says that Tesla finally called him back about test driving the Tesla Roadster after almost 5 yrs. I'm all over it and tell him i'll drive the 200+ miles from Reno to do a test drive it with him. I really think he just wanted to roll up in my SS/RS since he recently turned in his M3 off his lease and didnt want to show up with nothing. Sat. Morn early over the Sierras got 27MPG w/new Solo high high flow cats pushing it a bit. Pick him up up at his place overlooking the SF bay/Bay Bridge and let him drive down to San Jose to get a feel for Cynthia. He's not shy.

We show up at Tesla and the sales guy says we are the last appt of the day, do we want the red or black convertible? Oh yah, the red! He gives us the run down on the car and say "Well it has 192 miles left on the battery, go have some fun." We drove it like we stole it! That car is rediculous off the line and 0 to 60! The best pull we had was .66 G's. It felt like a rollercoaster at Six Flags. Above 60 the pull was not nearly as strong. Instant torque but i really learned what a difference raw HP makes.

We also found a private lot to test traction and tight turn radius manuvers but the understeer was horrible. Rear traction is increadible because there is 1K lbs of batteries sitting on the rear axle but you can drive the car almost straight with the front wheels ****ed at full throttle.

All in all it is an amazing little electric car but there is no substitute for raw HP.

Goatcrapp · 08-21-2011, 05:31 PM

I drove a tesla. torquey, no doubt... but it didn't feel nearly as nimble as the elise which it was based on.

*DGthe3* · 08-22-2011, 10:51 AM

No surprise really. For whatever reason, they figured that the Roadster didn't need more than 1 gear. As a result, it has terrible top end performance.

The 0-60 on the Sport model is around 4 seconds, while the 1/4 is about 13s, with a trap of a bit more than 100 mph. The regular model is slower. Compare that against the Camaro that hits 60 in 4.7, with the 1/4 also done in about 13, but it traps at close to 110. So figure 9 seconds for 60-100 in the Tesla, and roughly 6.5 for the Camaro.

I really don't see what the big deal with the Tesla Roadster is. People can claim that its a fast electric car all they like, but take away that 'electric car' qualifier and its performance is pretty much entry level for the sports car world. Certainly not impressive for a car that costs as much as a ZR1.

oldlugs · 08-22-2011, 11:24 AM

I'm waiting for the day when fast electrics are all over the road. I've known for 30 years now, that the day will come. Before you all dismiss me for a troll, or call me nuts...

http://vimeo.com/user3753897/zombie-...ht-another-day

Yes, it's just a pretty much homebuilt, relatively low budget drag toy... But we really haven't seen what future batteries will be capable of. I still believe electrics are the future.

08-21-2011, 01:34 AM	#1
CyberSS Guy Drives: 2011 CGM 2SS/RS MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 13	SS/RS VS. Tesla Roadster electric So, this is really an apples and pinapples comparision but what the 4ell! So, my buddy in SF pings me and says that Tesla finally called him back about test driving the Tesla Roadster after almost 5 yrs. I'm all over it and tell him i'll drive the 200+ miles from Reno to do a test drive it with him. I really think he just wanted to roll up in my SS/RS since he recently turned in his M3 off his lease and didnt want to show up with nothing. Sat. Morn early over the Sierras got 27MPG w/new Solo high high flow cats pushing it a bit. Pick him up up at his place overlooking the SF bay/Bay Bridge and let him drive down to San Jose to get a feel for Cynthia. He's not shy. We show up at Tesla and the sales guy says we are the last appt of the day, do we want the red or black convertible? Oh yah, the red! He gives us the run down on the car and say "Well it has 192 miles left on the battery, go have some fun." We drove it like we stole it! That car is rediculous off the line and 0 to 60! The best pull we had was .66 G's. It felt like a rollercoaster at Six Flags. Above 60 the pull was not nearly as strong. Instant torque but i really learned what a difference raw HP makes. We also found a private lot to test traction and tight turn radius manuvers but the understeer was horrible. Rear traction is increadible because there is 1K lbs of batteries sitting on the rear axle but you can drive the car almost straight with the front wheels ****ed at full throttle. All in all it is an amazing little electric car but there is no substitute for raw HP. __________________ CyberSS Guy 2011 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 1967 Pontiac Lemans

08-22-2011, 10:51 AM	#3
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,372	No surprise really. For whatever reason, they figured that the Roadster didn't need more than 1 gear. As a result, it has terrible top end performance. The 0-60 on the Sport model is around 4 seconds, while the 1/4 is about 13s, with a trap of a bit more than 100 mph. The regular model is slower. Compare that against the Camaro that hits 60 in 4.7, with the 1/4 also done in about 13, but it traps at close to 110. So figure 9 seconds for 60-100 in the Tesla, and roughly 6.5 for the Camaro. I really don't see what the big deal with the Tesla Roadster is. People can claim that its a fast electric car all they like, but take away that 'electric car' qualifier and its performance is pretty much entry level for the sports car world. Certainly not impressive for a car that costs as much as a ZR1. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

08-21-2011, 05:31 PM	#2
Goatcrapp Drives: '11 black SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: brooklyn, ny Posts: 43	I drove a tesla. torquey, no doubt... but it didn't feel nearly as nimble as the elise which it was based on.

08-22-2011, 11:24 AM	#4
oldlugs Account Suspended Drives: 2008 Bullitt + 2009 Shelby GT-500KR Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 193	I'm waiting for the day when fast electrics are all over the road. I've known for 30 years now, that the day will come. Before you all dismiss me for a troll, or call me nuts... http://vimeo.com/user3753897/zombie-...ht-another-day Yes, it's just a pretty much homebuilt, relatively low budget drag toy... But we really haven't seen what future batteries will be capable of. I still believe electrics are the future.