Some Tesla tips for Elon
— and, although I could have plugged the Model S into a socket at home, I used a free supercharge station in central Auckland. ( I’d love to see charging stations in more carparks — as you find in Santa Monica — but, hey Elon, we’re getting there.)
I loved the Model S’s strong regenerative braking that gives you a more relaxed driving style than the Hyundai Ioniq. You can also use “low” mode.
Inside, the Model S is luxury up the front, although my rear passengers on the bench seat did find a few gaps around the window seals. But the main feature of the cabin is that huge touchscreen that is the size of two iPads. That generous size allows room for displaying a map at the top as well as your power usage graph below.
Mention you have a Tesla and suddenly you find that you’re busier than an Uber driver in an imported Prius with colleagues, friends and even strangers wanting to go for a ride.
Now, please don’t hold this against Driven’s staff, Elon, but there were a few issues. One was an enthusiastic user error and one is something that you’ll need your staff back at Tesla HQto look at.
I took the Driven staff for a blast on the Auckland motorway and when I dropped one back at Driven HQ, the rear passenger decided to hop into the front passenger seat. Exiting the car, however, he put his hand on the C- pillar panel to help get out and, not realising the door shape is angled, not flat, he slammed the door on his hand. As I said, user error, but that did mean ice packs, an x- ray ( nothing broken) and much taunting for the next few days from us.
But the other door issue, Elon, is something you should look at ( just don’t replicate what happened).
While the car unlocks off the Model S- shaped fob or the door handles pop away from the panel when the car senses the “key”; if you open the door by pushing on the handle ( to make it pop out) unless you then pull the handle a few millimetres ( to “click” it in place) the handle retracts, taking your fingers with it.
I only bruised my finger the first time it happened as I pulled it away in time, but as I went to open the door when dropping the Model S off to the Tesla employee, the handle again snapped back on my four fingers – much to the alarm of the employee.
If you own a Tesla Model S, you’d make sure you opened it via the fob or “click” it in place, but owners should warn new passengers to the niggle.
Thanks Elon. And next time I’m in LA I’ll give you a bell and maybe we can go for spin in your Tesla — and don’t forget Ludicrous mode.