We were at the Bosch Proving Grounds in Boxberg, Germany, hidden in the hills. The all-electric silence is mesmerising, and, with a light tap of the accelerator pedal, the S moves forward, again, eerily silent. The handling course is just ahead and I enter with a slight prod on the pedal. Foot down firmer and the e-motor, with the equivalent of close to 400 PS and a considerable 600 Nm of torque, lets the Model S rocket forward and barrel into the long left-hander. This is a 2.1-tonne car and it’s planted as ever. The steering is light but reassuring and, with the Bosch electric power steering assist at work, it predictively smooths out the wheel and gives me good feedback at the same time, with even the slightest of inputs returning noticeable results.
Hard on the brakes and into the tight right-hander and the S is still composed, eager for more. The tyres squeal as I step on the gas, er, electricity on the exit and into the hairpin left. Slamming on the brakes just before the ’30’ speed limit sign. Once crossed, I put my foot down hard. Like being shot from a cannon, nothing could prepare me for the severity of forward movement. My head is thrown backwards neck-snappingly quick, held in place only thanks to that head-restraint. What a rush of exhilaration! The Model S is quick. It can give many a lauded petrol-powered sports car a run for their money, even put some of them to shame. That is the level of dynamic performance on offer, and without compromise elsewhere, I might add.
Tesla now have a Model S with an all-wheel-drive performance option, the P85D – D signifying dual electric motors and not ‘diesel’ – with a 224-PS equivalent front electric motor joining the 476-PS equivalent high-performance rear motor, allowing for a claimed 3.3-second sprint to 100 km/h, and a top speed of 250 km/h. All of this without a drop of fossil fuel involved. That should indeed raise the game further.
Tesla are on the radar, they are, with BMW and Porsche working on their own challengers in this all-electric luxury-sport arena. This is the electric revolution, and it’s yours to experience today.
NEED TO KNOW:
TESLA MODEL S P85
Price: Rs 54 lakh (ex-Germany)
Battery: 85 kWh
Motor: Three-phase, AC induction, rear
Max Output: 285 kW (387 PS), 600 Nm
Transmission: One-speed, fixed gear (9.73:1)
Weight: 2,108 kg
Performance
0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 225 km/h
Range: 500 km (claimed)
