Martin lets TEG drive his Tesla!
Why did Martin offer to let me drive his car? I am not sure exactly but it probably has to do with my level of passion for what he and his associates have created.
Why am I so passionate about it? Because it represents the joined epitome of two interests I have had for a long time: mid engined sports cars and electric vehicles.
I first heard about Martin & Tesla when the Roadster was introduced to the press in 2006. Ever since then a large group of fellow enthusiasts has been forming and Martin picked me out of that group to see firsthand what his dream is all about.
There has certainly been a lot written about the Tesla Roadster already. From magazine reviews to customer test drives done by those with enough foresight and resources to have put down substantial deposits to get on the waiting list.
So why would you want to read another review? Perhaps because I have never worked for Tesla, I am not on the waiting list, and I don’t have direct involvement in the auto industry. If you were waiting for a somewhat objective review then read on. I test things for a living so I have developed a bit of a ‘critical eye’ when it comes to looking for product defects. I don’t know if Martin was expecting this but I arrived planning to put his car under the figurative microscope and not just go for a joy ride.
My impressions:
- It looks spectacular. There really isn’t a bad angle on the car, and I find the custom paint job very appealing. It ads more excitement to an already exciting car.
- It still isn’t perfect (yet). I found a number of little detail problems, but they were all minor things that can still be worked out. At one point I did something that apparently exposed a possible “firmware bug” that Martin intends to report back to Tesla for further investigation. (The founder series cars are perhaps still in final beta, and not quite FCS in SV lingo).
- The car drives like a dream. I don’t think there is another car on the planet that you can drive so quickly and feel so relaxed doing it. The electric motor just goes NOW when you want it and the acceleration is so linear and quiet that you can squirt through traffic with little drama. The Lotus engineered handling is just without compromise.
- As many of you know, Tesla is still working to integrate “drivetrain 1.5″ into upcoming production to correct some transmission issues that have plagued the program so far. Martin’s car, unfortunately, has the interim transmission locked in 2nd gear, so the “off the line” performance isn’t yet up to the supercar standards that will come with the drive-train retrofit coming some months down the road. Hopefully Martin invites me for another drive when that day comes!
- Should I say that it is easy to drive again? This car opens up a whole new world of performance opportunities to those who don’t have the coordination or training to eek out everything a traditional sports car offers. It just felt “right” to drive it. No learning curve. Just jump in and go-go-go. Well, speaking of “jumping in” that is a bit literal. Even with all that Tesla has done to make “ingress/egress” better on this car (compared to the Elise) it is still one of the biggest shortcomings of the Roadster. Those with leg problems or with limited upper body strength may find the “climbing in and out” a bit much. Sorry folks, this isn’t the perfect car for everyone, but I am sure Tesla’s next model will widen the audience substantially.
Thanks Martin for being so magnanimous with what I assume is your most prized possession. What a thrill. What a treat!
Please join me in celebrating this phenomenal accomplishment that Tesla (past and present) have done. Not only customers, but fans are all counting on the Tesla of tomorrow to keep the dream alive and the roadster in production indefinitely.
If you want to learn more about the Tesla roadster you can find lots of information at teslamotors.com, wikipedia or even a Google search.
56 Comments so far
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Wow,
I’m blown away! In many ways this is even more impressive than having some high profile celebrity or politician drive the car. It demonstrates, quite profoundly, Martin’s commitment, and inclusion, of the TM enthusiast fan base in the Roadster project.
Wow!
BTW, TEG, I am officially jealous…
All the best,
Chris H.
Martin sez:
When you’re in the area…
Comment by Chris Harvey July 22, 2008 @ 9:10 pmWow TEG I got all choked up on this one. Hats off to you and Martin.
Comment by vfx July 22, 2008 @ 9:25 pmTEG,
How come everyone that drives this car has the same grin? (Don’t worry, I had one too!)
Comment by Carolyn Eberhard July 22, 2008 @ 9:25 pmMartin,
I’ll be in Palo Alto in the morning…
, just joking (unfortunately).
All the best,
Chris H.
Comment by Chris Harvey July 22, 2008 @ 9:47 pmI never post on your site. For this I must.
BRAVO!
Martin you are to be congratulated and admired.
~Mike
Comment by Mike July 22, 2008 @ 9:59 pmMy word TEG! Did you have to dupe the Make-A-Wish Foundation or something? It’s time to change your avatar over at the TeslaMotorsClub to that big s&!t-eating grin that seems to come standard with the Roadster.
Martin, I’ve been trying to write a paragraph complimenting you. But I get tongue tied trying to express how impressed I am with your openness and easy manner. Allowing TEG to drive and post about your Roadster speaks volumes.
Comment by Mark Tomlinson July 22, 2008 @ 10:09 pmFantastic. Congratulations TEG and thanks to Martin.
Comment by Malcolm Wilson July 22, 2008 @ 11:14 pm>> Martin you are to be congratulated and admired.
What he said!
Comment by Dean July 23, 2008 @ 1:14 amOh, count me into the jelous club!
This is really cool. I’m very satisfied that out of the people at TMC it was TEG that got a testdrive. As TEG said himself I’m just floored that you already would allow someone else than family to drive the car, it does speak volumes. Fantastic story.
Cobos
Comment by Cobos July 23, 2008 @ 2:01 amMartin, you really are proud of the car, congrats again, add me to the jealous list as well.
Comment by Chris L. July 23, 2008 @ 4:34 amMartin sez: When you’re in the area…
Does that perchance apply to East coasters like myself? (Don’t worry, I don’t currently have plans that would put me anywhere near CA. I’m more likely to get a look at the NYC or Chicago stores.)
As others have said, this act of sharing further underscores the great loss Tesla suffered in letting you go. I personally think having an engineer as a PR person is a great idea! (Probably because I’m an engineer.
And I’m sick of sales/PR/marketing people who don’t know what they’re talking about.)
Martin sez:
But of course!
Comment by Sean July 23, 2008 @ 5:10 amTEG has been a player in the tech world of the Mid Peninsula since his high school years. The glyph TEG once owned the top score of all the Defender games up and down the Peninsula. Early game tester and designer. Way ahead of his time.
Comment by Clark July 23, 2008 @ 5:18 amThus it is no fluke that he should be the tester of the TESLA. Good for him, Good for Testa.
TEG,
Thanks for posting your comments. I’ve asked the Tesla Motors site to start posting customer / user reactions to delivered vehicles, but none have yet to appear. Perhaps they are waiting for the first units with the single speed transmission to be delivered.
As for now, the more those roadsters are spotting throughout SV, the more demand that their will be for them.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler July 23, 2008 @ 5:53 amReading about this impressive gesture and how joyfully it was received is the perfect way to start my morning. Good show, all.
Comment by James Anderson Merritt July 23, 2008 @ 6:29 amThis really must be a first. Who has ever heard of a founder of a car company, allowing a blogger to drive his car within just the first few days of ownership? It’s fitting for a 21st century car company.
Congratulations TEG!
Comment by Joseph July 23, 2008 @ 7:46 amMartin, I’ve been following Tesla since it’s inception (I’m a big fan of Nikola) and I find your transparency and willingness to share very inspiring. The Roadster is truly and enthusiast car and after all your hard work on the car you go straight to an enthusiast for his opinion. Awesome. Regardless of what has happened with Tesla Motors, I love your whole attitude toward the Tesla enthusiasts. Your vision will revitalize American road iron. Nikola Tesla would be proud of the car and of you.
Keep up the good work!
TEG, congrats! I am green with envy.
Comment by Todd July 23, 2008 @ 9:25 am[...] Originally Posted by Kevin Harney So where is the ACTUAL write up of TEG’s ?!?!?!!? Right here. [...]
Pingback by Martin's Roadster is finally delivered!!!! - Page 9 - Tesla Motors Club Forum July 23, 2008 @ 10:34 amTEG … you lucky, lucky ba$tard!
Martin: Can you go anywhere these days without hoards of EV groupies? (unfortunately for you they’re probably mostly men
Martin sez:
Not just men, for sure!
Comment by Neil July 23, 2008 @ 2:09 pmShhh I’m sure Carolyn wants to hear that.
Comment by Patman3 July 23, 2008 @ 2:52 pmDo not worry, I am Martin’s biggest groupie! I have been following him around for years.
Martin sez:
What are you talking about? You’re a tiny little thing!
Comment by Carolyn Eberhard July 23, 2008 @ 6:26 pmTEG,
Thank you for the passion you’ve put into your posts for such a long time. Your insights have helped to educate us all! I remember some of your early posts, you have also grown wiser and learned a lot over time.
Martin and Marc,
Comment by Jeff Holman July 23, 2008 @ 9:30 pmYou have literally found the point in time where you could balance the globe on your fingertips expose the inertia holding us back from true change and begun to spin the blue marble around in the opposite direction for transportation and energy use. You have inspired so many dedicated, tech savvy, educated, and powerful/monied people to seek big changes, that change is now inevitable. Every day there is a new article about new EV’s, companies, start-ups, green power sources, investments, technologies, and collaborations to get them to market, inspired by the fallout from your breakthrough work at Tesla. What a legacy – and one sweet ride too!
Martin sez: When you’re in the area…
Does this extend to us UK bloggers? Not that I’m likely ever to be in the area, but you never know.
In any event TEG certainly deserved his treat after months of posting very interesting and well-informed comments.
Comment by Andrew Kelsey July 23, 2008 @ 11:47 pmBTW, since we’re in the sharing mood, Martin, if you’re ever in central SC, you’re welcome to drop by and take my “punishment” (but modified) ZAP Worldcar for a spin.
Comment by Sean July 24, 2008 @ 1:13 pmThanks for all the positive comments, everyone!
I am still slightly euphoric a couple of days later.
Here is a short video showing a bit more:
Comment by TEG July 24, 2008 @ 5:56 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwgNAwYy0g8
(The shakiness is mostly the wind blowing the camera around).
TEG, It would be great to see you post here more often again.
Remember, the Monterey Historics http://www.montereyhistoric.com/ are Aug. 15 -17, and even better the prehistorics Aug. 9 – 10 with everything but the expensive tickets and the crowds.
Comment by Steve S. July 24, 2008 @ 6:56 pmwaw I like this cars nose so much, so cute
Comment by Alex July 25, 2008 @ 4:39 amTEG,
are you really 43? … you must be kidding, you don’t look older than 35.
Regards
Comment by HectorRV July 25, 2008 @ 5:32 amWhen I got my Ferrari, I let others drive it.
When I got my Mangusta, I let others drive it.
When I get my Tesla, I will let others drive it.
Many ask, how could you let others drive your prized possession as they sit and polish their’s in the garage and scarcely let it see the light of day, maybe at a show!
These cars were made for driving and when you share you allow others to taste the dream. Who knows what that will inspire! Martin, you are a Renaissance Man which includes vision… maybe that is why I see your name mentioned in this article
Congrats!
Comment by DrTaras July 25, 2008 @ 6:45 amPS-I am amazed at how the custom paint job looks! Awesome! If I may critique… I would like to see some orange accent on the side view, if only a splash. Maybe on the skirt?
Comment by DrTaras July 25, 2008 @ 6:47 amTo HectorRV:
Yep, 43…
But I felt like I was 25 again when driving the Roadster!
To DrTaras:
Good show on the sharing!
And I think Martin likes the “effect” where some angles don’t show the stripes. It gives the car a bit of a split personality. Someone sees it from a distance, then gets closer and goes “Whoa! It has orange stripes too!”
Martin sez:
Exactly. I think the contrast is pretty neat. But then again, a big orange circle with a number in it in each door would be pretty cool too!
Comment by TEG July 25, 2008 @ 8:06 amMartin sez:
Exactly. I think the contrast is pretty neat. But then again, a big orange circle with a number in it in each door would be pretty cool too!
When does the Tesla national racing circuit open? Laguna, Road America, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, etc?
Electric racing like NASCAR, now THAT would push EV technology into the next generation of performance. Anyone look into racing one in SCCA?
Comment by Todd July 25, 2008 @ 10:38 amThank you Martin for creating your dream car which is now our dream car. My wife and I are on the list but won’t see a car for almost a year. Allowing TEG to drive your car and write up the review keeps our dream alive.
And don’t offer others “when you are in the area” so glibly! Since we live so near in Los Altos, we may start stalking you at Bucks and trade a ride for flapjacks!!!
Seriously, thank you TEG and especially thank you Martin and Carolyn.
Marilyn and Darrell
Martin sez:
I’m not being glib (at leat not right now
) Within the constraints of my goofy schedule, I am happy to let you have a drive. I think you’ll like it!
Comment by Darrell Holmquist July 25, 2008 @ 11:42 amOh Martin, how nice it is to see you with that grin on your face.
You mention that you installed the charger yourself in the garage and I’m curious about the installation. What size breaker did you use, wire size, what the current draw of the charger is?
If you ever make it back to Maui, and bring that with you, the road to Hana would be the perfect drive for that car…of course you’d need a guide
Martin sez:
The charger draws 70 amps, which requires at least a 90-amp breaker (code requires the EV to draw no more than 80% of the circuit rated load.) Because of the particular panel I have, I had to bump up to a 100 amp breaker. I ran AWG 4 wire for the two “line” wires and AWG 6 for the safety ground. (no neutral was required) over a distance of about 15 feet – these wire gages meet code, and over that distance, there is not any significant drop. This wire is pulled through a 1″ EMT from the panel to the back of the charger. (The EMT also serves as ground (per code) so the green wire in the EMT is actually redundant.
By the way, the charger did not have a knock-out on the back – how annoying! It only had one on the top and the left side. So I punched one through the back – there was just enough room.
No how am I going to get my car to Maui? I think YOU should buy one, and let me borrow it when I am there
Comment by Tom Elliot July 25, 2008 @ 12:33 pm[...] as drivetrain 1.5, which features a single gear with a slightly more powerful motor. Check out the entire story here, and feel free to watch a quick video of the encounter after the break.Gallery: TEG drives Martin’s [...]
Pingback by Martin Eberhard lends his new keys to a fan » myGreenCar .eu July 25, 2008 @ 5:02 pm[...] as drivetrain 1.5, which features a single gear with a slightly more powerful motor. Check out the entire story here, and feel free to watch a quick video of the encounter after the [...]
Pingback by Martin Eberhard lends his new keys to a fan » Hybrid News July 25, 2008 @ 5:09 pmI too thought the flat profile of the car would benefit from a tiny splash of orange too. Maybe a mirror treatment?
Comment by vfx July 25, 2008 @ 5:18 pmWho is TEG?
But it is a great review and my biofuels of marin Web site is going to start pushing electric. Hearing Martin Speak at the Marin Fare was wonderful. It was obvious that he wasn’t trying to push electric because he had an electric car to sell, but becuase it was the result of a long and careful thought about the most efficient way to conserve resources so his sweet little daughter could enjoy the world.
I’ve signed up for course # DET 193 at Santa Rosa Junior College – “Conversion to Electric autos”. Should be fun.
Martin sez:
TEG has been a thoughtful and outspoken Tesla enthusiast since we first showed ourselves in public. You can find his comments on many related blog sites.
Comment by Bryn Deamer July 25, 2008 @ 5:47 pm# Tom Elliot wrote:
## Oh Martin, how nice it is to see you with that grin on your face.
In case you were commenting about the photos on this page – that isn’t Martin. That’s me getting the royal treatment taking Martin’s car for a spin.
Some pictures of Martin with his car can be found:
Comment by TEG July 25, 2008 @ 8:13 pmHere
and
Here
[...] as drivetrain 1.5, which features a single gear with a slightly more powerful motor. Check out the entire story here, and feel free to watch a quick video of the encounter after the [...]
Pingback by Martin Eberhard lends his new keys to a fan July 26, 2008 @ 12:44 am# DrTaras wrote:
## I would like to see some orange accent on the side view, if only a splash. Maybe on the skirt?
# Martin said:
## a big orange circle with a number in it in each door would be pretty cool too!
Something like This?
Comment by TEG July 26, 2008 @ 9:12 amTEG, I know, I met Martin and Marc when they were here for their presentation a few months ago. It’s good the see the smile on your face too but I suspect it would be even bigger if you owned it.
Comment by Tom Elliot July 26, 2008 @ 12:39 pmMartin, sorry I forgot to respond to your comments too. Oh wouldn’t I love to be able to order one but there’s no chance of that being possible in any reasonably foreseeable future.
Getting cars here is not actually all that hard. Shipmyvehicle.com does a pretty good job and have treated me and my vehicles well with the two I’ve shipped over here already.
Sadly, the best I may ever be able to hope for is a Vectrix scooter.
Comment by Tom Elliot July 26, 2008 @ 12:45 pm[...] as drivetrain 1.5, which features a single gear with a slightly more powerful motor. Check out the entire story here, and feel free to watch a quick video of the encounter after the [...]
Pingback by Martin Eberhard lends his new keys to a fan | www.TheDieselTrader.Com July 26, 2008 @ 5:27 pmCongrats!
This accomplishment will forever be apart of automotive history..
Comment by s0da72 July 26, 2008 @ 6:31 pmFabulous Fun For Fortuitous Fella
You lucky dog, TEG!
DrTaras,
Since you let the cat out of the bag. I was thinking the same thing when I saw Martin’s pictures, but thought coloring the chamfer around the wheel wells would be a nice touch. Looking at the pictures here, I notice there is a little color there.
Tom Elliot,
Comment by David Kosowsky July 26, 2008 @ 7:49 pmMaybe a Volt or Model S?
Fan Tastic !
I wonder what the chances are that Elon will let someone ride his SpaceX rocket for free ?
I would volunteer…
Comment by kert July 27, 2008 @ 6:17 am(I may have just accidently uploaded an incomplete comment – apologies – using my wife’s laptop while mine is down..)
Was about to say see: especially the founder’s blog, where I plan to chronicle and share my experience of learning EV conversions at the Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). Turns out the course is being taught by Peter Oliver of make mine electric.
Martin – Any chance of taking the Tesla on road trip to Santa Rosa one Saturday morning in the Fall and dropping in on the class??
Finally – Have you seen this?
Especially the Author’s creed.
Warm regards,
Comment by Bryn Deamer July 27, 2008 @ 7:19 amBryn Deamer, San Rafael.
OOps – any way to edit an existing post? I must have missed a set of quotes or something in each of my links in the last post – sorry!
Martin sez:
I tried to straighten out the links – hope I got it right.
Comment by Bryn Deamer July 27, 2008 @ 7:24 amThanks Martin – I assume it was the lack of a closing “lessthan /a greaterthan” symbol? I should have followed my intuition rather than the provide instructions! – (pity wordpress doesn’t have the standard “preview button” either…)
I was looking all over for rock to crawl under this morning, so thanks for your non-judgmental kindness…
warmly,
Bryn
Martin sez:
No problem. I mess up with WordPress plenty too. Yeah – I think you messed up the standard html close for a link.
I’m going to delete some of your comments where you are testing things out.
Comment by Bryn Deamer July 27, 2008 @ 12:29 pmDavid K., don’t know if I want a Volt, with sufficient range I wouldn’t really need a hybrid power plant, but a Model S would be nice, very nice. Heck, my 15 year-old Altima SE handles great on the Hana Highway so if the S can match that I’ll be happy. But it will be a wait and the Vectrix is available now, though still not quite in the budget.
Martin sez:
Carolyn and I recently found the driving experience of the Road to Hana to be quite surreal. The speed limit on most of the road is 20 mph, and there are many, many places where the road necks down to one lane, requiring traffic from each direction to take turns passing.
On this road we passed approximately a million V8 mustangs, idling along with the rest of the overpowered (mostly rental) cars, occasionally zooming up to, like, 40 mph just to slow down when they caught up with the next car or to stop for a one-lane section. There are practically no turns off this road, it just goes to Hana and a few small towns on the way.
The drive was surreal because it reminded me so much of Disneyland’s stupid ride, Autopia. I remember wanting like crazy to drive the real gasoline-powered cars in Autopia, but I was not tall enough. Finally the day came, I was 48 inches (or whatever) tall. And I got to sit in the car, steering about 6 inches left or right until the car hit its guide rails, forcing the car to steer along the approved path. I was about 6 feet from the car in front of me, and the one behind was about the same distance. I had no choices of where to go, I could basically go one speed (slow) along one path (with everyone else). I got to look at the backside of the car in front of me, listen to the sound of idling engines, and smell their exhaust. Road to Hana with tourists…
Not meaning to dis the road – the place is incredibly beautiful, but the driving is Autopia.
Comment by Tom Elliot July 27, 2008 @ 12:56 pmHave you seen this?
Electric sport unicycle:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-mxa0629unojun29,0,111563.story
Like a segway, but without the geek factor.
Martin sez:
Not exactly a unicycle, but quite cool. But Carolyn says I can’t ride one on the road – same restriction as for motorcycles. Dang.
Comment by Gabe July 27, 2008 @ 2:55 pm# Martin wrote:
## Carolyn and I recently found the driving experience of the Road to Hana to be quite surreal.
Becky tries to forget the trip we took years ago to Hana.
We had rented a Subaru Justy ECVT and I was excited to get in the first continuously variable transmission car I had driven. Unfortunately, the car was a tin-can econobox with not much in the way of comfort. The road to Hana was twisy and bumpy and stop/start so we got to Hana already worn out. We then went for a swim in the so called Seven Sacred pools, and a cliff dive left her with a sore back-side that was aggravated by the long and twisty drive back to the Kahului.
But yes, the scenery was spectacular!
Oh, and the surreal part for us – when we turned on the A/C, ants came out of the vents instead of cold air!
Martin sez:
A/C = Ants Continuously. It’s a feature.
Comment by TEG July 27, 2008 @ 3:14 pmHeh, I hear you about how the traffic can be on the road to Hana but the secret to doing that the right way is to pick the day and the time of day. I’ve come back from Hana in mid-afternoon, after everyone has made the slog out there in the herd of turtles you describe and before the late afternoon herd leaves and had the road nearly to myself. It’s an exhilarating experience even in my Altima. I’ve come back many a time from a twisting turning shift-filled drive with a big grin on my face, especially since they’ve widened the road and improved the pavement. (and yes, what you drove on was the widened and improved road).
Trust me, it’s made for the Tesla. There are a couple of gem roads like that on this island, kind of like the road over the coast range from Sausalito to Muir Beach, which has its own sweet spot of time and its own set of challenges.
The thought of driving a car like the Tesla with its smooth acceleration, regenerative braking and handling on that road is almost pornographic.
If you think the road to Hana is tough you probably want to avoid the road around the north side of the West Maui Mountains through Kahakuloa, it makes the road to Hana look like an interstate.
Comment by Tom Elliot July 27, 2008 @ 10:42 pmMartin,
Great to see you got to realize your vision, the TR is a great car despite the “blood” it took/takes to produce it. I hope the roadster is refined and the sedan comes to fruition. The Martini-like stripes look good on the car and how about drag racing it at an EV race? I realize the interim gearbox won’t yield the quickest time but you could post the first TR times on the EV records…
Comment by Felix July 29, 2008 @ 11:43 amLooks like no one is adding to this comments but… after hearing about how volunteers driving cancer patients to Stanford hosp. for treatment were dropping out of it due to high gas costs, I wanted to volunteer to drive those Teslas that would otherwise be sitting in the parking lot while their owners are at work and give some cancers patients [& myself] a real thrill. I think this would also be tax deductable for the owner – but Tesla owners probably don’t need tax breaks… Still, it would be great if EV clubs could lead workshops and build old skool cars locally [whereEVer the need is] to create EV fleets for such mercy work…
Comment by tina juarez August 15, 2008 @ 8:58 pmFor those of you who have not met Martin I can see why you are having a hard time wraping your brain around how he would let someone other than himself drive his $100K Custom car.
Comment by Dan Bickham December 13, 2008 @ 3:03 pmI went to school with Martin & I can tell you he the most down to earth guy you will ever meet.
Martin is one of the most intelegent persons I have ever met & I went to school with some of the best & brightest. I only wish him & his work the best of luck.
Dan Bickham #560