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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTesla is already making the competition sweat
Numbers Don't Lie: Tesla Is Beginning To Put The Hurt On The CompetitionBut its in the BMW 7-Series and Porsche Panamera that the presence of the Model S is probably being felt most acutely. Both are performance luxury sedans capable of seating families comfortably and both are fairly commonplace in the wealthy neighborhoods of the San Francisco Bay Area. Those neighborhoods are now rife with Teslas. More than 4700 Model S registrations have been recorded in California and at least some are coming at the expense of the competition. Nationally, the Tesla has matched the total sales of the Lexus LS, Audi A8 and Panamera combined.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)+
Impressive. Even more so when you consider that Tesla sells a single model while most of those old-line automakers have showrooms full of different cars, from compacts to sport utility vehicles. The numbers compiled by Polk for the California New Car Dealers Association also report that Tesla grabbed 12% of the luxury sports category in the first half of 2013, beating the Audi A6 and Lexus GS.
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Tesla sold 4,714 Model Ss in the first half of the year with 1,097 of those registered in June. Among other cars the Model S has outsold in California, the USs largest and trend-setting automotive market, are the Audi A4, the Mercedes M Class, the BMW X5 and various compact cars and sport utility vehicles.
...http://qz.com/118324/heres-10-major-automakers-tesla-motors-is-outselling-in-california/
Link Speed
(650 posts)They are a joy to drive, but I still prefer massive HP.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)And quiet, too.
Link Speed
(650 posts)The Roadster is a blast.
I own a 1990 560 SEL that is in showroom condition. It was the last of the great Mercedes - the last one that MB spared no expense in developing. It has the 16V/RUF engine and it will fly. I also have a neighbor/friend who owns a Tesla Roadster and another who has a Model S.
We trade cars, sometimes, for the sheer beautiful difference in the rides (we live in Wine Country, CA and there are plenty of gorgeous drives).
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)The nice thing about electric cars is that the motors can be capable of enormous torque.
Link Speed
(650 posts)It's like being pulled by a string.
My daily driver is a 1990 560SEL (16V/RUF engine - 336 lb/ft) and it hits you like a ton of bricks. It is so strong that it pulls away from a stop in 2nd gear, unless you push at least 2/3 to the floor. Then, it becomes a two-ton rocket. The S is like being jerked out of a chute, smoothly.
My Benz is in showroom condition and will still peg 155mph with no sweat. I only wish I knew how to defeat the governor. I imagine it would reach at least 180.
railsback
(1,881 posts)Its only a matter of time.
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)On top of its relative environmental friendliness, it's a beautiful-looking car.
Tikki
(14,557 posts)I haven't drooled over a car, like I do over this, in years...
Tikki
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)... ever.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/tesla-model-rated-safer-safe/story?id=20010910