When Tesla was first developing their vehicles in Silicon Valley, California – there were many doubters that an electric supercar was possible. After years of development behind the leadership of Elon Musk, the co-founder, CEO and Product Architect, the Tesla Model S is by far the most advanced electric luxury sport car.  

The Model S has received many great reviews including being named the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year and after being in its Performance model for a few days it definitely deserves that praise. From the outside in – the Model S blows my mind. There’s no vehicle that exemplifies the future of the automotive industry more than this electric creation and you can buy one today.

Initial Glance

As many onlookers throughout my time with the Tesla Model S – I was initially a gawker as well. It’s assertively sculpted lines and black reflective oval grille give the Model S a look unlike any other vehicle. For some that have never heard of Tesla – their gawking probably mostly consists of figuring out, “What the hell just drove by them?”

The theme of the exterior is chrome. At the top-center of the grille is the sharp “T” Tesla logo in chrome that resembles the symbol of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. The chrome continues on the side mirrors, door handles, outside layer of the windows, bottom panel on the doors and a solid bar with the Tesla name in the rear. It certainly made it tough to take pictures without a reflection or myself getting in the shot. 

I feel that there’s more that can be done with the grille. I like the simplicity of it, but it actually gives off a basic electric look, which the Model S is anything but. It does get saved by its Falcon-eye LED running lights giving it some character and it’s finished off by LED taillights in the back.

A Look Inside

If you can’t figure out how to get into the Model S – don’t fret! The door handles shoot out when you touch the handle as long as you’re holding the key. It will sense the key after the touch and allow you entry. Is there another word to describe this, but cool? I don’t think so. 

The inside deserves an article of its own, but in this case I can summarize it by saying – the Tesla Model S has the most exciting interior of any vehicle I’ve been in. Soon enough this review will turn into a script for Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure as the Model S makes you dumbfounded…sorry Keanu.

The interior is organized, clean and easy to figure out as long as you know how to use a computer. Situated smack in the middle is a 17-inch full-colour touchscreen panel that resembles a massive iPad. You can open and expand screens as well as zoom in by using your own fingers. The amount of controls at your fingertips is unprecedented and almost everything can be activated by voice controls. From car dynamics to climate to internet-based radio to managing the massive all-glass sunroof – it’s all there. The best part of the sunroof is you can control it by percentages. You want it open only 46% - you got it! 

Space in the front and rear are a non-issue as the interior spaciousness comes close to a BMW 7-Series. Three passengers (and I’m sure there will be a lot of them who will beg for a ride) can comfortably sit back in the rear and enjoy the quiet ride, while the driver and co-pilot in the front are treated to comfortable front leather seats with a touch of felt surround. If you need to fit more than five in the car, the trunk can transform with a few flips and folds to a new seating area for two small children. They can enjoy the ride while facing the traffic behind you. I’m sure they will think that’s so cool…there goes those words again!

Outside of the big touchscreen and seating, there’s not much else going on. It’s a minimalist upscale design that seems to work for the Model S. Everything you need is in that entertainment panel making the Model S an open concept without much fussiness. 

A little more chrome is featured with some funky v-shaped door opener handles found close to the glove box and a similar v-shaped chrome closing handle to match.

There are some missing pieces that can be added to the better the Model S, but I must admit I’m being nitpicky to only better a great product. I found the sun reflector to be too small and oddly crafted. It’s so thin that you wonder why it’s even there. I also found the cup holders to be in an awkward position that made me accidentally bump my coffee with my elbow on more than one occasion. 

Lastly, I felt there was a big need for air conditioned seats. The Model S can be customized for heated seats, but in the summer months, a cool breeze feature for those leather seats are needed. Plus, air conditioned seats go well with the whole futuristic theme anyways.

Under the Hood

Lift the hood open and there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Ok, ok…so there’s no engine and appears to have nothing under the 6.6 cu.-ft. of storage space above, but underneath there’s something happening. 

Everything is situated low to the ground for a low centre of gravity, but you will find an electric air conditioning system, electric power steering and an electric vacuum pump. You will also find some heat exchangers including a radiator that cools off the battery. 

This performance model had the 85 kilowatt-hours (kWh) battery pack that lies flat underneath the floor of the car providing the most weight towards the centre of the car. For a tour of the shell of the car, you can always check it out at the Tesla showroom at the Yorkdale Shopping Mall. 

When I picked up the Model S Performance edition it was fully charged and showed that I could go for 450 kms. In reality, how far you go will depend on your speed, driving style, your air conditioning and driving set-up, as well as a host of different attributes. Regardless of that, any full electric range between 400-450 kms is incredibly impressive. The fear of running out of juice in traffic is erased, now you only have to worry about mapping out road trips if you so dare.

In the rear, the Model S Performance model has a 416 hp (310 kW) and 443 ft.-lb. (600 Nm) rear-mounted electric motor. The motor package also sits low to the ground and can accelerate from 0-60 mph or 0-97 km/h in a remarkable 4.4 seconds without the feel of any gear shifting thanks to its single-speed transaxle.

On the Road

Just how you might have had issues with finding the door opener outside the car, finding how to start it might puzzle you as well. The Model S will sense your key and once your foot presses down on the brakes you’ve engaged the gears and set it in “Drive” – you’re ready to go. It’s a little awkward, but heck it’s quite the futuristic car and has to be different.

The Model S Performance is a fun car to drive. It’s a smooth ride when you’re in cruise mode and a smooth ride when you want to go lightning fast. When it takes off, it’s hard to believe you’re going that fast and that has a lot to do with that rear single-speed transaxle. 

You can customize your driving style on the touchscreen panel. As in some latest model cars, steering and suspension can be personalized. Steering has three options being comfort, standard, or sport mode; while the suspension can be tuned to very high, high, standard, or low. 

What makes the Model S stand out is the control you have over the vehicles regenerating braking. In regeneration braking standard mode, your ride can give you a jerky push once you ease your foot off of the brake. It takes a little while to get used to and assists in preserving your battery, but if you’re not into that, just adjust to a low level of regenerative braking and presto – your entire driving experience has changed.   

For most of the time, I placed the steering in sport mode which provided a firm steering feel coupled with precise handling. The road feel is subtle and the drive can become cathartic. The gentle rocket ship encompasses all the great qualities you would ask for if you were customizing a car.

Road noise is almost non-existent as you effortlessly breeze past various onlookers. The silence in the Tesla is a constant reminder of the electric engine and the money you’re saving. And if you weren’t sure how much money you’re saving with an EV – Tesla was nice enough to remind me with some paperwork in the glove box stating an average gas savings of $8,100 in the first five years.

In Summary

The Tesla Model S Performance was a thrilling vehicle to drive and unlike any other out there. The combination of power, style, technology and fuel-efficiency is rivalled by none. It finds itself in a unique setting of having no competition, but Tesla isn’t sitting on their accomplishments, but always looking to improve.

The performance model can be had starting at $94,900 that comes included with the 85 kWh battery pack. My tester had some additions such as 21-inch silver wheels with wider Michelin Pilot Sport SP2 tires, the all glass panoramic roof, the two rear-facing seats and the tech package that brought the price up to $111,770. The price is steep, but what do you expect from something that has a combination so rare. 

As with every electric car there’s always the issue of charging. Tesla has various options and comes with a public charging station adapter and mobile connector adapters for 120 and 240-volt outlets. In a regular home this could be a bit of an issue as the normal 120-volt charges slowly, but if you buy the Model S, I’m sure you will make arrangements to install a new circuit and breaker. 

Power stations for Tesla can be found in the Yorkdale garage and can be used in regular EV power stations. And soon we will be seeing Tesla supercharge stations popping up as they claim by 2014 they will secure networks in 80 percent of both the United States and Canada.  

Tesla has made waves across the automotive industry and their cutting edge team have developed a Model S car that is nothing short of brilliant. The icing on the cake for Tesla owners is that if there’s any new feature or function that Tesla develops for their entertainment panel – it can be downloaded into your model at no extra cost making your Model S feel brand new again. 

There are very few times that a car can blow us away, but Tesla has found the potion to do it. This might be just the start as Elon Musk and the team develop future vehicles such as the Model X, an SUV coming out next year. Technology prices will come down and make these electric flyers easier to own and when that time comes – the automotive world might have to watch out.