lithium-ion

Description

(my response) It's no secret that there are a few automobile enthusiasts , and we're pretty sure there are some in the audience as well -- you know who you are. Still, you don't have to be a car nut to appreciate all the innovation and technology that's gone into Tesla's sophomore vehicle -- the Model S electric sedan. a refresher, the Model S is a full-sized five-passenger four-door sportback with a lightweight aluminum body. It's available in four trim levels with three battery capacities -- 40, 60 and 85kWh for a range of 160, 230 and 320 miles, respectively. A 350hp AC induction motor drives the rear wheels with a 130mph top speed and 4.4-second 0-60mph time (on the performance model). The lithium-ion batteries are liquid cooled and packaged in a 4-inch thick slab that covers the entire floor pan of the car for a low center of gravity and a near 50-50 weight distribution. A 10kW on-board charger is standard, with a second 10kW charger available as an option. Unlike most electric vehicles sold in the US, the Model S lacks the standard J1772 power connector and uses Tesla's Universal Mobile Connector instead to enable faster charging (up to 62 miles of range per hour of charge). An active air suspension is available as an option -- wheels choices are 19 or 21-inches. Inside the Model S you're treated to all the luxury amenities and safety features (eight airbags) that you'd expect from a premium automobile -- there's even an optional panoramic sunroof and twin rear-facing jump seats for children (complete with 5-point harnesses). Still, the interior's centerpiece is the 17-inch capacitive touchscreen that controls every aspect of the car, from the infotainment system to the climate control. A second LCD is used as the instrument panel. Each display is powered by Tesla's own OS running on a Tegra 3 SoC -- both computers communicate via Ethernet and a gateway provides an interface with the vehicle's ECU. So what's it like to drive the Model S? In a word: amazing. There's absolutely no doubt that this is a driver's car. It inherits most of the Roadster's performance DNA but wraps it in a significantly more practical and comfortable package. We drove the performance model with the panoramic sunroof. Handling is impressive for a vehicle that weighs in a bit over 4600lbs -- thanks in great part to the low center of gravity, near 50-50 weight distribution and active air suspension. Body roll is kept well under control and there's a phenomenal amount of grip from the 21-inch summer tires. The Model S is surprisingly nimble for such a large and heavy automobile, and it doesn't sacrifice ride quality for the sake of dynamics -- it handled rough road with composure and just the right amount of stiffness. Note: This is a response video. I very clearly indicated in the title that this is my response to the topic. I am following all the rules in the YouTube community guidelines. No copyright material was used in this video