It shouldn't be that difficult, as the platform is a Lotus Elise.
Makes you wonder what exactly they are re-engineering.

 

All the crap being said about GM and their conservative timelinefor the Volt. Looks like Tesla won't release their electric car until around 9-10 months before the Volt; and for about $75000 more.

You know those Tesla guys really know what they are doing, it's sooooooo easy. I have no idea why it would take the car companies so long.

I wonder what other problems Tesla is going to run into. Maybe the range of the car not being wht they claim? Over heating problems? Performance claims falling short? I'm sure there will be more problems to arise in the future.

 

I wonder how foretelling it is that the WSJ article mentions John DeLorean......And he knew what it takes to build a car........

My question is "What problem is the Tesla solving?"

And I love this quote....."Nobody produces a real electric car."
Maybe there is a reason "Nobody produces a real electric car."

I'll give you one.........in the real world the range of just 250 miles sucks, when you add the refueling time of over 10 minuets. GM learned from the EV-1, people don't like to change there lives to meet there mode of transport. People would rather change there mode of transport.

 

It shouldn't be that difficult, as the platform is a Lotus Elise.
Makes you wonder what exactly they are re-engineering.

Actually, I'd think it would be very difficult - and suicidal to try it from scratch. Everything in a Lotus would need to be reengineered. A pure electric doesn't have the ICE - but the front of the car is no place for batteries, all the systems are wrong, from power steering to a/c to trans mount and motor mount points.

In retrospect - I'd think the VOLT by comparison would be easy. There is still an ICE, and the platform is basically intact. Batteries are in the floorpan, basically negating radical weight and balance issues, GM already has lots of experience from the 2 mode on all the systems, electrical architecture etc - and they have a lot more engineers available.

 

Actually, I'd think it would be very difficult - and suicidal to try it from scratch. Everything in a Lotus would need to be reengineered. A pure electric doesn't have the ICE - but the front of the car is no place for batteries, all the systems are wrong, from power steering to a/c to trans mount and motor mount points.

In retrospect - I'd think the VOLT by comparison would be easy. There is still an ICE, and the platform is basically intact. Batteries are in the floorpan, basically negating radical weight and balance issues, GM already has lots of experience from the 2 mode on all the systems, electrical architecture etc - and they have a lot more engineers available.

Still, its based on the Lotus platform (which didn't fail a side impact test). I'm not sure, though, about the door seals of the Lotus and Tesla though.

 

OK... so why are people here starting to compare Volt and a Tesla??

They're NOT comparable!!!
So what if the Tesla costs $100,000??!! Can the Volt go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds?? I didn't think so.

 

Just goes to show that anyone can make big claims and a nice brochure. Delivering a real product as complex as a modern car, no less one the is supposed to revolutionize electric transportation, is another story. I think it's quite possible that the Volt might go into real production before the Tesla, and that's assuming Tesla doesn't just end up filing for bankruptcy and dry up. There is a limit to how patient people will be to get their cars before demanding a refund.

 

If Engineering a new car was easy, the Chinese would be getting 5 Star crash ratings score, and Hyundai would be best mileage. Heck Toyota cannot get 5 stars on the Tundra, becouse they just entered a new segment. The Tundra is not going to be an F150 overnight.

Most of the stuff you see in a Tahoe or Camry is hand me down knowledge, from engineer to engineer, and mentors. That is why different companies have distinct feel that is unique to a car company from generation to generation. Take a GM engine with its silent, row rev power deliverly, versus a Japanese Screemer...
Anyways, my point being, those software enginneers need to know they just can't read books in college and expect to match a S Class in safety design overnight. Te he he

We have been here before.

 

HERE IS SOME INFO ON THIS CAR

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/tesla_roadster.asp

 

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD.

I will give these guys credit for trying, but their arrogance at how "Easy" it was supposed to be to make a viable electric car did rub me the wrong way.

We can only hope that the Tesla "Design by legislation" friends learn a valuable lesson from these delays and problems - I doubt it though.

 

I'll give you one.........in the real world the range of just 250 miles sucks, when you add the refueling time of over 10 minuets.

They revised the rating - it's now 200 miles of range.

 

A 200 mile range is good for a weeks worth of driving in a metro area -- any metro area in the US!!

 

A 200 mile range is good for a weeks worth of driving in a metro area -- any metro area in the US!!

Not necesarily, unless you are talking downtown.

 

Not necesarily, unless you are talking downtown.

Yes it is. I can travel from downtown SF to downtown SJ... and that's 80 miles round trip. 200 mile range is fine.

 

Yes it is. I can travel from downtown SF to downtown SJ... and that's 80 miles round trip. 200 mile range is fine.

ou forget that some of us live in bumper to bumper traffic, try driving from Irvine to North LA during morning commutte, in stop and stop then go traffic with only 200 miles worth of gas.
I do not know about eletric, but should you run out of fuel, you'd have a problem. Anyways the guys buying it will be wealthy. Its a toy for weekend driving when the Chauffered limo is in the garage.

 

OK... so why are people here starting to compare Volt and a Tesla??

They're NOT comparable!!!
So what if the Tesla costs $100,000??!! Can the Volt go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds?? I didn't think so.

You're right, the vehicles in production form are not comparable - however what I was attempting to do by comparing it to the VOLT was to highlight why the VOLT is taking so long, and I think the Lotus to Tesla conversion is an order of magnitude more difficult and their resources, both financial and technical are an order of magnitude less.

In short - I'd expect to see more of this (delays/problems) in the future from Tesla. What they are doing is much, much harder than what GM is doing. Also - its not like we've got a lot of electric cars to discuss right now.

 

Just goes to show that anyone can make big claims and a nice brochure. Delivering a real product as complex as a modern car, no less one the is supposed to revolutionize electric transportation, is another story. I think it's quite possible that the Volt might go into real production before the Tesla, and that's assuming Tesla doesn't just end up filing for bankruptcy and dry up. There is a limit to how patient people will be to get their cars before demanding a refund.

If Tesla does fail, I hope GM is right on their doorstep offering jobs to every last one of their engineers.

 

ou forget that some of us live in bumper to bumper traffic, try driving from Irvine to North LA during morning commutte, in stop and stop then go traffic with only 200 miles worth of gas.
I do not know about eletric, but should you run out of fuel, you'd have a problem. Anyways the guys buying it will be wealthy. Its a toy for weekend driving when the Chauffered limo is in the garage.

That's Still not 200 miles!!

 

The Elise always had an issue with getting in and out, especially for tall people.

 

Yes it is. I can travel from downtown SF to downtown SJ... and that's 80 miles round trip. 200 mile range is fine.

Are you asking me to own two cars?????
One for around town and short trips (a little runabout)
And anther for the long haul trips like New Jersey to Florida to visit the folks.

Because if that is the case, the runabout had better cost less than 10 thousand USD, 'cause I can't afford to have two cars at the prices they charge today.

I'm talking refueling times..........

 

Yes it is. I can travel from downtown SF to downtown SJ... and that's 80 miles round trip. 200 mile range is fine.

So you can go two and a half trips. That's not a weeks worth of range, as you tried to say earlier, unless your workweek is a hell of a lot nicer than mine.

 

I think a 200 mile range puts it squarely in the range of 2nd cars for those looking for a commuter. Most people would just plug it in when they get home. However, I don't know how well it's going to work for some in the urban setting......e.g. if you are parking on a street. If you have a garage, you're in good shape. If you are in an apartment complex, I doubt everyone will be happy about your extension cords running up to your apartment.

 

So you can go two and a half trips. That's not a weeks worth of range, as you tried to say earlier, unless your workweek is a hell of a lot nicer than mine.

So... yo'ure not gonna plug your car in at night before you go to bed?
Do you plug in your cell phone?? And suddenly surprised the "200 hour" standby time didn't last you the week???

My commute is an 8 minute drive to the train station parking garage.
If I owned a Tesla... that would last me 2 weeks, at least... But that still would'nt prevent me from plugging it in at nite.

Are you asking me to own two cars?????
One for around town and short trips (a little runabout)
And anther for the long haul trips like New Jersey to Florida to visit the folks.

Because if that is the case, the runabout had better cost less than 10 thousand USD, 'cause I can't afford to have two cars at the prices they charge today.

I'm talking refueling times..........

Tesla might only have 200 mile ranges. But it's a sports car. Or in a more pedantic world... Tesla is a high priced commuter car.

If you owned a Diablo... would you use it for "long haul trips?" I doubt it.

So yes... You would own 2 cars.

 

Are you asking me to own two cars?????
One for around town and short trips (a little runabout)
And anther for the long haul trips like New Jersey to Florida to visit the folks.

Because if that is the case, the runabout had better cost less than 10 thousand USD, 'cause I can't afford to have two cars at the prices they charge today.

I'm talking refueling times..........

I doubt many people are going to be packing their families into the two-seater Tesla for a trip down to Boca.

Plus, anyone that can drop $100k on a car is probably buying plane tickets.

However, I do see your point. That is why E-Flex is superior!

 

It shouldn't be that difficult, as the platform is a Lotus Elise.
Makes you wonder what exactly they are re-engineering.

yeah true that.. and those seem some pretty serious problems