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Tesla Model S: Is It Really The World's Quickest Car Ever?

Tesla was, is, and probably will continue to be a hot subject in the automotive universe. While it’s not the first electric car manufacturer out there, it’s certainly the most iconic one, largely due to its daring approach and numerous innovations it brought to the field. Tesla has revolutionized the world of electric vehicles already, and it has no intention of stopping anytime soon. However, while some of its achievements cannot be contested in any way,there are times when misleading facts and figures get thrown around by the media. Here’s the perfect example.

The plot

The Tesla Model S P100D was recently titled “the world’s quickest car ever” by several online new outlets and magazines.

The context

Claims about the Model S P100D being the fastest car ever starter appearing online after Motor Trend performed some tests using a Model S P100D following a software update the car received. While the update was supposed to cut down its acceleration time to roughly 2.5 seconds for 0 to 60 miles per hour, Motor Trend’s tests concluded a time of 2.28 seconds, which boosted the Tesla in the first position of the top, outclassing supercars such as Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador and even the renowned Bugatti Veyron.

So, is the Tesla Model S P100D really the world’s quickest car ever? Let’s have a closer look.

“Quickest Car Ever” Explained

The terms “quickest car ever” are fairly vague, and consist of some variables. In the automotive industry, the quickness of a car is based on two main elements: acceleration and top speed.

Acceleration is usually measured by the time it takes the car to get to 60 miles per hour (100 km per hour) from a standstill. Some tests also include additional parameters, such as 0 to 120 miles per hour (200 km per hour), and 0 to top speed. The time is measured in seconds, and the lower it is, the faster the car is, and thus the higher spot it takes in comparison charts.

Top speed is another defining element of a car’s performance, and as it names suggests, it refers to the top speed the car is capable of reaching. Once again, the higher the figure, the better the car ranks.

Tesla’s Figures

Taking advantage of one key advantage electric motors have over conventional combustion engines – instant delivery of power, Tesla focused its advertising on the acceleration element. Tesla vehicles were never marketed as sports cars, despite their impressive performance, so their top speed was not a key selling point, but their acceleration was. The carefully calibrated motors that are driving the front and rear wheels of the car allow for the instant delivery of power to the wheels, so the car can accelerate really fast. Depending on the version, 0 to 60 mph acceleration can be achieved anywhere between an unimpressive 5.9 seconds, for the first versions, all the way up to 2.28 seconds for the latest version. An average acceleration within the 3 second ballpark is to be expected from most Model S Teslas.

The case in question, of the fastest Tesla, was achieved using the top-of-the-line Tesla P100D, a model that comes with 4 wheel drive and a 100 kWh battery, using the Ludicrous + mode. In case you’re not up to date with Tesla tech, the Ludicrous mode is a software option that improves acceleration times at the cost of reduced mileage. The Ludicrous + mode was an extreme version of the mode, available as a purchasable software upgrade.

Although the official numbers for the Ludicrous + are 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, putting Tesla a little behind supercars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis, tests carried out by Motor Trend have shown a slightly different result – the Tesla Model S P100D set in Ludicrous + mode can hit 60 in less than 2.3 seconds. It only needs 2.28 seconds, to be precise, officially making Tesla the fastest accelerating production vehicle.

Verdict

So, if the Tesla Model S really the world’s quickest car ever? It all depends on where you’re looking from. In terms of pure acceleration, it is outclassed only by the Porsche 918 Spyder, which pumps out an impressive 2.2 seconds for 0 to 60 mph. In terms of top speed, the Model S is not even in the top 15.

However, the Tesla Model S does hold some impressive records. If we’re talking about production vehicles, it is the quickest car in the world, as the previously mentioned Porsche 918 Spyder was produced in a limited series.

So, to be factually correct, no, the Tesla Model S is not the world’s quickest car ever. It is the quickest accelerating production car in the world, which is just as impressive.

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Auto

BMW PathFinder "MicroMaps" Navigation System

Looking to augment the conventional GPS navigation system with additional information not covered by GPS – such as a parking lot? BMW has announced a new PathFinder micronavigation service that offers users microMaps to augment the turn-by-turn navigation details offered on the in-car navigation system.

The new system will allow users to download information about these microMaps before they start from a place. This information can be continually updated as you approach the place. Also, BMW PathFinder will allow users to seamlessly toggle between the in-car navigation system to the micronavigation service as and when needed.

So is it out on the stores yet? The PathFinder is still a prototype and expect a few months to pass before it becomes a reality. Stay tuned and we will let you know more information when it is available.

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Auto Google

GM OnStar eNav Integrated With Google Maps

Early this month,we had written about a partnership signed between General Motors and Google that will bring the Android Operating System to the GM’s in-car cabin tech suite. We had said that the new technology could potentially replace GM’s OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system by 2011.

Now, it appears that General Motors may want to bring more features to OnStar while the work on the Android-based cabin tech suite takes its time. The company has now announced that GM cars equipped with the OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system will now be additionally powered by Google Maps. This will enable these drivers to search for locations using Google Maps and send these directions to their turn-by-turn navigation system on their vehicle.

Nick Pudar, OnStar VP of New Business Development says,

“eNav is a perfect solution for subscribers who like the flexibility of being able to use Google Maps to plan their trips in advance, but without the hassle of bringing printed maps into the vehicle. The eNav feature of our Turn-by-Turn service allows drivers to keep their eyes, hands and minds where they need to be – on the road. And if they ever need help on the road, they can always just push the Blue OnStar Button to speak to a live advisor.”

The feature is expected to be available on all models released after 2006. You can check this video out for a preview of the latest feature

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Auto

Ford 'Send To SYNC' To Pull Maps Info From Mobile Phones

Imagine a situation where you are on the road and your friend just texts you the location you need to drive down to. Find it difficult to read the directions from your mobile? Ford has introduced a new ‘Send to SYNC‘ feature that can pull location information from bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to provide voice-activated location directions from Google Maps on your in-car sat-nav system. This is an extension of Ford SYNC.

Doug VanDagens, the director at Ford Connected Services Solutions  Organizationsays,

“With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work – wherever you have connectivity – and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It’s convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.”

The Ford ‘Send to SYNC’ functionality is expected to launch later this month and is the only such application available for free.

[via Gizmodo]

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Auto

Toyota eLOT Mobile Application To Aid Car Purchase

Last month, Toyota filed a trademark application for ‘eLOT‘. Probing into the filing offers some interesting insights into some of the future strategies for the company. The application describes eLOT as,

“Computer application software for mobile devices, namely, software to provide information and assistance to consumers about the purchase or lease of vehicles; Downloadable software in the nature of a mobile application for consumer use to provide information and assistance in the purchase or lease of vehicles”

I must confess that I do not follow the automotive segment to a great deal and subsequently I am not sure if eLOT is already out (I googled it, and could not find any relevant information). Nevertheless, the description does indicate a possible mobile app for the iPhone, Android and other platforms which will enable people to make surf through the company’s list of vehicles to purchase or lease cars.

Is it already out, people? Sound off in the comments.

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Auto Google

General Motors In-Car Cabin Tech Suite Powered By Android

General Motors is learned to be negotiating a deal with Google to power their next generation in-car cabin tech suite with Android Operating System; much on the same lines as Microsoft Sync and MyFord systems.

This new system will allow GM car owners to pair up their automobile to their smartphone that will allow them to open, start or adjust their cars remotely. Also, the Android OS enabled system is likely to replace GM-owned OnStar turn by turn navigation system since Android is likely to bring its own free turn by turn navigation to the drivers.

An announcement of any sort in this regard is expected only around 2011.

[via MotorTrend]

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Auto

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Features And Technical Specifications

The New York Auto Show saw Hyundai unveil the wraps on its new Sonata Hybrid Sedan model. This will get the popular sedan model Hyundai’s Blue Drive hybrid system thus offering better mileage and improved efficiency.

Here are some tech specs that you will need to know

  • Engine Cylinder : 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder (Atkinson cycle)
  • Power : 209 HP and 195 Pound-feet torque
  • Max Speed (at Electric only) : 62 Mph
  • Fuel Economy : 37 MPG (City) and 39 MPG (Highway)
  • Gearset : Six speed automatic transmission with electric motor
  • Batteries : Lithium Polymer

While the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid scores over other hybrid models in some aspects, there are some areas where it needs improvement. For instance, the lithium polymer batteries are a better deal than the conventional nickel metal hydride batteries that can be found on hybrids from Toyota and Ford. However the fuel economy is not as good as that offered by Toyoto Prius.

[via CNET]

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Auto Microsoft

Microsoft Hohm Energy Management Application For Ford Electric Vehicles

Ford has partnered with Microsoft to offer tools that will make energy management easier and affordable for owners of Ford electric cars. The Ford Focus Electric car, due to be launched next year, shall be the first electric vehicle to make use of Microsoft’s Hohm energy management application.

Speaking about this, Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO said,

“Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable.”

Hohm on Ford’s Focus electric car and other upcoming models will help owners determine when and how to efficiently recharge Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) as well as Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).

[Microsoft News Center via SmartPlanet]

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Auto

Nissan Leaf Electric Car US Orders Begin April 20

Those of you looking to buy Nissan’s new electric car, the Nissan Leaf may book your orders starting April 20. The car will come at a cost of $32,780 before subsidies.

As always with electric cars, there are however a lot of government sponsored incentives to expect. There is a tax credit of up to $7,500 from the government. Also, there are additional subsidies to expect from the individual state governments.

Mark Perry, the director of product planning at Nissan North America said,

“This is the price we had in mind all along. We wanted to bring out a car so that it’s affordable and priced for the mass market. So with an effective price of $25,000 (after rebates and credits), you are right in the center of the U.S. car market. In some regions, the effective price will be down around $20,000.”

[via Nissan USA]