Why I Didn't Make Chatsworth...

[Simon Mac]

After 14 months of waiting, my new car finally arrived...

 

 

 

To give a sense of scale...

 

 

 

Have to say it is a wonderful bit of kit!

[Matt C]

Wow! Amazing car - looking forward to hearing more about it.

[Simon Mac]

Wow! Amazing car - looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

Thanks.

 

It really is amazing.. all the hype we've heard from the states is true.

 

Now I'm not a sandal wearing hippy, so I didn't buy it for the green credentials, just because it's a very handsome and gadget laden car. Generally the biggest complaint in reviews is the size of the car. TBH I've not found it a problem, but then my previous daily was a Nissan Navara.

 

In terms of driving experience it is weird to start with. Firstly the silence gets you, then the way the accelerator works. It's hard to explain, but it's sort of like driving round in 1st or 2nd gear, so as you lift off you get really pronounced "engine braking" as the regen kicked  in.

 

To give you an example I picked it up from Heathrow and drove back on the M1 / M25 even in the inevitable 70+ down to 10 for the queuing traffic (rinse and repeat) I didn't touch the brake pedal once. Fortunately the brake lights automatically come on as you decelerate as it is like you've applied some middle pedal pressure.

 

Then when you are used to that, the biggest surprise is how this thing gets down the road.  It is WAY faster than my Elise at least up to 90, and mines only the cooking version (60 KWh).  At any speed you touch the throttle and bang your neck muscles take the strain instantly. It is great for freaking out passengers, they have absolutely no-idea what's about to happen to them, unlike in a regular car where you here the revs build, or see the driver drop a cog, with no notice they are pinned to the seat.

 

The interior is well executed. Professional and contemporary.  I've gone for black with cream leather, which I think looks really classy.

 

The free Internet connected radio is ace.

 

 

Erm.... downsides.

 

The charging network in this country, especially the east midlands,  is a joke. Each different brand of charging point needs a different swipe card.  Though so far they have all been free, which is also a bonus.

 

Home charge point installs can be done by cowboys (I found this out through bitter experience)

 

It was more than an Exige Roadster

[Matt C]

Sounds fascinating and certainly a real 'treat' to own.

Fortunately for people like me there are many years left in the internal combustion engine yet!

[TimSportsTourer]

Cool! I think that makes a truly great combination of cars. The Tesla as the most sensible and fun full-sized thing for the family, and the Lotus for when there's just one/two of you. 

 

Years ago, I visited the Tesla factory in California and drove in a Roadster. The S was just a buck then. It was an amazing trip, and I was treated to a drive in some chap's Elise that he had strapped a turbo onto (in Lotus, CA. Where else?). There's a long post about it from many years ago, but I guess it got archived or lost a while back when the platform here changed. Does anyone know if the ancient stuff is still accessible anywhere? I really can't remember. There were a lot of pictures from the factory, IIRC. 

 

In any case, I'm very envious, and look forward to hearing more about it.

[jonnyfox]

I thought it looked a sound investment and a pretty cool car when I read the write up's. Post more images if you get a chance. Enjoy.

[Simon Mac]

Cool! I think that makes a truly great combination of cars. The Tesla as the most sensible and fun full-sized thing for the family, and the Lotus for when there's just one/two of you. 

 

Years ago, I visited the Tesla factory in California and drove in a Roadster. The S was just a buck then. It was an amazing trip, and I was treated to a drive in some chap's Elise that he had strapped a turbo onto (in Lotus, CA. Where else?). There's a long post about it from many years ago, but I guess it got archived or lost a while back when the platform here changed. Does anyone know if the ancient stuff is still accessible anywhere? I really can't remember. There were a lot of pictures from the factory, IIRC. 

 

In any case, I'm very envious, and look forward to hearing more about it.

 

I'm jealous of your trip!

 

I will gladly bring the car along to a local meet for all to poke and prod at. 

 

The more I'm driving it, the more I'm realising what a fantastic car it truly is (irrespective of the power source). All the more impressive as this is these guys first ground up go at making a car. Fit and finish is superb, no rattles, everything is logical, the ergonomics are top notch. All the quirks (like the lack of a start button or key) make perfect sense when you get used to them.

 

Some slight glitches so far: No place for sunglasses, no grab handles, and the steering wheel controlled A/C says "Drivers side Temp." but controls the passenger side A/C (obviously a LHD > RHD hangover).

 

Si