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 range of 250 miles is only under ideal conditions without AC or heater.

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.

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.)

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.

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!!!