Tesla Model S 100D
FIRST DRIVE 393-mile range makes EV an even more compelling choice
Electric star’s range is now extended to nearly 400 miles
IN the race for electric car supremacy, no company comes close to tech giant Tesla. Brand CEO Elon Musk has brought EVS to the forefront and pushed mainstream makers to reconsider their future plans.
Many EVS remain a niche choice, due to their relatively limited range and the sporadic charging infrastructure, but Tesla continues to up the ante by introducing new battery packs and near-weekly wireless updates that can quite literally boost efficiency overnight.
The latest version is the new Model S 100D, which despite its similar name, is not to be confused with the flagship P100D. There is no supercar-shaming Ludicrous mode here, and with power down from 595bhp to ‘just’ 371bhp, the car’s 0-60mph time drops from a scarcely believable 2.5 seconds to a still-impressive 4.2 seconds. Of course, the instant torque remains present in the 100D, offering serious zip off the line.
That’ll be plenty quick enough for most owners, especially considering the sizeable price cut and improved range of this latest 100D Model S. The new car claims 393 miles between charges, giving it the longest range of any production EV currently on sale in the UK.
Impressive
But in reality, a variety of factors including the weather, traffic conditions and driving style affects the range. That we drove the car on a clear weekend in June probably worked in the Tesla’s favour, but to get a feasible 300 miles from a single charge is impressive nonetheless. No existing EV on the market comes anywhere close.
When we collected the car, the trip readout claimed a real-world range of 324 miles with a near-full battery. We covered 223 miles during two days of short trips and steady motorway journeys and saw the range drop to around 70 miles – a discrepancy of just over 30 miles. That’s pretty remarkable given that at times we were carrying three full-size passengers and their luggage.
Our car came without the optional rear-facing boot-mounted seats, which meant a bigger load bay – including a deep well under the floor. Like all Model S variants, there’s plenty of room inside, and the flat floor across the back means adults shouldn’t feel too squashed in the middle seat. All cars come with a fixed glass roof (an opening version is an option), but it isn’t detrimental to headroom.
Charging a Tesla is becoming ever easier, too. With more of Tesla’s Superchargers cropping up every month, and others planned in the near future, you’re rarely far from your nearest source of power. But herein lies the problem with the new 100D Model S; as the charging network expands, the car’s lengthy range becomes less relevant. The entry-level Model S 75 has a claimed range of nearly 300 miles but costs a whopping £37,100 less – or £78,900 less than the flagship £132,235 P100D.
If your commuting and charging habits allow, the 75kwh car still offers better value for money, especially given that it has much of the same in-car tech and an identical design. The forthcoming Audi A4-rivalling Model 3 will slash costs further when it arrives later this year, too.
Mechanically, the Tesla Model S 100D is very similar to the cheaper 90D, and given the identical performance figures and allwheel-drive set-up, feels indistinguishable from behind the wheel. That means the same tight body control, well weighted steering and impressive refinement – even on our car’s 21-inch wheels. The ride is a little brittle (not helped by the low-profile tyres), and the fact everything is so quiet means bigger thumps and creaks are more noticeable – especially when parking or manoeuvring at slow speeds.
Limited rear visibility and the bulky, fixed head restraints in the back can make it
“The car claims 393 miles between charges, giving it the longest range of any EV in the UK”
difficult to see when reversing the 100D, too. The standard-fit, high-definition cameras help, but it’s not always easy to discern the Tesla’s extremities.
Elsewhere, the 100D is just like every other Model S, with the familiar 17-inch touchscreen filling the dash and centre console, and offering lots of functionality. The ability to search for destinations and radio stations online makes living with a Tesla incredibly easy.
Autopilot remains a doddle to use and takes the strain on longer motorway trips, but quality – especially the steering wheel buttons – is still a little shy of the class best.