The Future is Here: Tesla Model S Review

As we take a closer look at what you're seeing, it becomes clear that this is the key to the future, and it's an incredible sight. The Tesla Model S has been on sale in the United States for about one year now, and in its first three months of 2013, it outsold several high-end competitors, including the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes S-Class. In fact, when it goes on sale in the UK next year, it will cost around £80,000 in the top-spec version, making it cheaper than most of its conventional rivals.

Our experience with the Tesla Model S has left us blown away by its range of abilities. Having spent just a day with this car, we can confidently say that it is extraordinary in its performance and capabilities. The model S is powered by an 85 KW lithium iron battery pack, which via a three-phase AC electric motor produces the equivalent of about 410 BHP and 443 lb of torque. This means that when you put your foot down, you go fast – really fast. And it's not just the power that's impressive; the fact that this torque is available from low revs is what gives the model S its unreal acceleration.

What's most impressive about the Tesla Model S, however, is how well it handles everyday driving tasks. Despite its powerful engine, the car doesn't need any excuses for its performance. The weight of the batteries is strategically placed in the car, just where you want it, which makes a big difference in terms of balance and handling. It goes around corners properly, stops well, and even has lovely suspension – double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the back are traditional designs that get it right.

The steering on the Tesla Model S is also worth mentioning. It has a variable ratio rack, which provides good feedback without feeling too radical or cutting-edge. The cabin is beautifully made, with a big iPad-like screen that's become an integral part of the driving experience. Navigation and connectivity are seamless, and you can find out exactly how much range is left at any time. One small complaint we do have, however, is about the seats – considering how much performance this car has, they don't offer enough support.

Now, it's time to see just how fast the Tesla Model S is compared with its rival, the Aston Martin Red S. We've set them up for a drag race, and our tester is ready to put his foot down. With 30 mph already being reached in second gear, he unleashes a burst of speed that leaves us speechless. This is incredible – it's as if there's some higher force picking you up and propelling you forward at the horizon.

As for how the Tesla Model S compares to its rivals, we can't help but say that it doesn't need to compete with cars like the Aston Martin Red S in terms of interior luxury or style. The model S has a unique charm and character that sets it apart from more conventional cars. And when it comes to acceleration, Tesla claims not to reach 60 mph in under 4.2 seconds – our road testers managed an impressive 4.6 seconds.

In terms of range and charge times, the Tesla Model S is certainly a landmark car. It claims to be able to do 300 miles on one charge, although we reckon it will actually manage at least 260 miles in real-world driving. A full charge from the mains takes about 6 hours, but with Tesla's new supercharge points, you can have half a charge ready in just half an hour.

Perhaps most impressively, however, is the cost of ownership. A full tank of unleaded fuel for the Aston Martin Red S costs around £120 – and that's nothing compared to the Tesla Model S, which takes about 6 hours to fully charge but will only set you back around £450. It's no wonder we're blown away by this car – it's a game-changer in every sense of the word.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhat you are looking at is the key to the Future and this is what it can do to a 550 BHP Aston Martin in a straight line we'll come back to the drag race in a moment but for the time being consider this the Tesla Model S has been on sale in the United States for about one year now and in the first 3 months of 2013 it outsold the Audi A8 the bmw7 series and the Mercedes S-Class and when it goes on sailing rightand Drive in the UK next year it will cost around £80,000 in the top spec version you see here which means it will be cheaper than most of its conventional Rivals so what's it like I have to say that having spent just a day with this car the magazine has spent the thick end of a week with it we're just blown away by it it is extraordinary in its range of abilities in this guys the model S is powered by an 85 KW lithium iron battery pack which via a three-phase AC electric motor produces the equivalent of about 410 BHP and 443 lb of torque you put your foot down in this thing and you go and the reason why that is is because that tourque is available from not revs and that is what gives this thing it's unreal acceleration apart from the power and the power delivery which is just nuts I think what's most impressive of all about the model S is that it does all the conventional stuff really well you don't need to make any excuses up for it I mean I know it weighs a the tons but all the weight of the batteries is right down low in the car just where you want it and it's nicely balanced it goes around corners properly really really properly and it stops well the model S really has lovely suspension it's kind of traditional in its suspension design in that there are double wishbones at the front a multi-link at the back there's nothing radical there there's nothing particularly radical about the steering it has a variable ratio rack but it's still feels good to steering it still you know there is some life that comes back at you through the rim it doesn't feel alien I mean the cabin is beautifully made as well I really really like the interior of this car and I think this big iPad like screen once you've been mucking around with that for a couple of days you're not going to want anything else that is going to appear in many many other road cars you know you've got the nav up here you've got you're connected up to the internet at all times you can find out exactly how much range is left uh one small complaint I do have concerns the seats considering how much performance this car has got the seats do not offer enough support you kind of have to cling onto the steering wheel like mad in order not to get chucked around the place okay we're going to find out just how fast the Tesla Model S is compared with the as Martin rede s I'm just going to wait for him to put his foot down he's in second gear doing about 30 mph he's gone and now I go and now I disappear oh man that's it look bye-bye Aston Martin that is just incredible it's in I cannot describe what that feels like it just feels as if there's some higher force that just picks you up and crusts you at the Horizon the model S might not be in the same league as the raped when it comes to Interior luxury or style or pure quality but then it isn't meant to compete with a car like the Aston to be honest on any level we just wanted to show you how fast it is in a straight line Tesla claims not to 60 in 4.2 seconds our road testers figured it at 4.6 seconds either way it is seriously rapid up to three figures and Beyond and in terms of its range and charge times Tesla claims the model S will do 300 miles on one charge after a week's testing we reckon it will do at least 260 mi in the real world which isn't a lot less than the Aston can manage on a tank of fuel a full charge from the regular Mains takes about 6 hours but from one of Tesla's new supercharge points half a charge will take about half an hour oh yes and one full charge costs around £450 standard off peat rates whereas in the V12 Aston a full tank of unleaded costs about 120 a pop the Tesla Model S is a landmarked car absolutely no mistake this is incredible this car this is the future except it's right now in the present and it makes the Aston seem really really oldfashioned wow\n"