TECHNOLOGY
Tesla design is not for me
I just
visited a Tesla showroom to check out the Model S 4-door and Model X vehicles,
and I would not buy either one -- even if I had the money and overlooked the fact
a full charge takes up to 12 hours and the optimistic range of 300 miles is only under ideal
conditions without AC or heater and at lower speeds.(See http://www.plugincars.com/tesla-model-s-range-and-charging-some-clarification-127409.html)
As for the Model S, I cannot fit
into the driver's seat without contortions and feeling like I am
in a straight jacket. At 6”2” and some 245 lbs, my body filled up most of the
space between the steering wheel and seat even when they were set back to fullest opening. The seat itself was also too narrow for my hips and
similarly the curved and narrow seat back.
And I was not alone, for a 6’3” thin as a rail
young man had the same ‘squished’/impossible to drive experience – even when he reclined the back
to almost 45 degrees!!
The Model S is simply too
cramped for any taller or big driver.
And, of course, when the driver's seat is set back fully, there is only enough room in the back for the legs of small children.
And, of course, when the driver's seat is set back fully, there is only enough room in the back for the legs of small children.
As for the
Model X, we compared notes again. We both were able to fit into the driver’s
seat easily as its SUV height design compensated.
But the
famous rear falcon wing doors were still a problem.
On-line
videos show how these unique doors partially fold inward to reduce needed
opening space to one foot or so when they start to rise and all kinds of
sensors prevent the doors from touching sideways and overhead objects.
But according to the company’s website,
the doors rise to 8’3” (= 99") when fully open, and as the videos show, the doors swing
out more than a foot as they rise. So I suspect
that if parked beside a mini-van or furniture truck or wall, the doors will be useless for entry or exit.
The
internet already has discussions of this clearance height of 8’3" (= 99") as
many, if not most, house garages do not have such clearance. My garage is just 92" high -- from floor to ceiling, and with the garage door retracted, it becomes just
6’5”.
So how would I or my family be able to get into or out of the rear section inside the garage? (See https://forums.tesla.com/forum/forums/what-height-clearance-needed-open-falcon-doors-garage.)
So how would I or my family be able to get into or out of the rear section inside the garage? (See https://forums.tesla.com/forum/forums/what-height-clearance-needed-open-falcon-doors-garage.)
Finally,
although Tesla claims the design is rollover proof, what happens if a car
simply flips onto the roof in an accident?
How do the
rear doors open then?
Mercedes started it all in 1952 with the racing Mercedes-Benz 300SL, but as Wikipedia notes, the
company added explosives into the roof hinges so the doors could be removed if
the vehicle landed upside down.
As well, water leakage into the interior from rain, puddles and snow are general design ‘challenges’ according to Wikipedia.
As well, water leakage into the interior from rain, puddles and snow are general design ‘challenges’ according to Wikipedia.
So, Mr. Musk, try the better solution
used successfully for decades to allow minimal sideways space issues – the mini-van
sliding
door.
It may not be as dramatic but it works
well.
And maybe you can even figure out a
way to have front doors that slide.
Now that would be a coooool vehicle!!!
