2015 Tesla Model S Electric

The 2015 model year sees no change for the Tesla Model S, and although the 60 is the base model for this year as well, it is a limited-run edition and hence the 70 would be the base trim for most buyers. Most of the features and creature comforts are all packed right from the base trim onwards with only a handful of features and battery packs being the only difference across all the trims in the lineup. 

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Like we mentioned in the above para, the 60 trim is a limited-run edition, so the base 70D with dual electric motors offering AWD drive is the most value for money offering in the lineup. It not only has enough performance to overshadow other similarly priced cars but also has enough technology and features on offer to make it feel worth the high asking price of the car. 

The numbers as the trim names of the Model S are basically the battery sizes available with the car, while the “D” suffix stands for a dual motor setup which signifies AWD. The base 60 trim gets a 60 kWh battery, while the top of the range 85 trim gets an 85 kWh battery pack. The P85D signifies the Performance-oriented nature of the dual-motor 85 kWh battery pack Model S. The base 70 trim is rated for 329 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which powers the rear wheels through a single-speed direct-drive unit. 

The 70D with dual motors generates a whopping 514 hp. While the 85 has the same power output as that of the 70 trim, the 85D’s power drops to 376 hp but gets quicker acceleration and higher top speed. The P85D is the most powerful of the lot, generating a staggering 691 hp and 686 lb-ft of torque as it manages to shave off 1.4 seconds from the 85’s 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, doing it in just 3.2 seconds. 

With no competitors for the Model S in the EV segment, the gas-burning and luxurious Germans are its biggest rivals. The Porsche Panamera is the most expensive one here, but with a lower power and torque output, the performance too isn’t the quickest of the lot. The Audi A8 too is pretty expensive, and in spite of generating maximum engine output, the performance is just on par with the Panamera. The BMW 7 Series, on the other hand, is marginally quicker but still is half a second slower than the Model S. 

The MPGe rating of the 2015 Tesla Model S depends a lot on the battery pack and motor setup of the car, and so does the range. The limited-run 60 trim has a rated range of 208 miles, while the base 70D trim gets 240 miles on a single charge. The more powerful 85 trim manages only 265 miles on a single charge in spite of the larger 85 kWh battery pack, while the 85D manages just 270 miles of range. The high-performance P85D can be milked for 253 miles, but most of the range depends on driving habits and will vary largely based on how hard one pushes the car. 

With Tesla’s superfast Supercharger charging network increasing rapidly throughout the country, range anxiety could really be a thing of the past in the near future. That being said, the Model S can be charged from standard 110V and 240V household outlets as well, but the 3 miles per charge speed of the 110-volt outlet is practically useless. The 240V 50A unit in comparison takes about 8 hours to completely replenish the 70 kWh battery, while the 85 kWh battery needs another hour or so. The dual charger 100A optional wall connector setup reduces the charge times to 4 hours and 4.5 hours respectively, while the Supercharger network can replenish 170 miles of range in just half an hour. 

With all the details regarding the batteries and ranges aside, there are no range anxieties present with any of its rivals. Although none of them is even remotely close to being called as frugal as the Tesla, the over 450 miles of driving range offered by all of its rivals betters the Model S in every possible way, not to forget refueling just takes minutes as opposed to hours in a Tesla. 

The cabin of the Model S does not employ many buttons and switches, and a massive 17-inch vertically oriented tablet is what controls almost every aspect of the car, right from the air conditioning to even adjust the air vents. The materials quality is pretty good, but the fit and finish could have been better considering the price point of the car. In terms of comfort, both front and rear seat occupants will enjoy plenty of room for their legs, but the limited headroom at the back could be a concern for taller passengers. 

One can also opt for a rear-facing third row of jump seats, but that will just eat into the huge 26.3 cu-ft of trunk space and won’t be as comfortable as well even for the kids, and hence better be skipped. Folding down the middle row opens up 58 cu-ft of space, while the lack of an engine up front means the front trunk or the frunk offers a bit more space to carry your grocery bags, although the dual-motor setup reduces the frunk to half. 

The 2015 Model S has a lot more room up front than its rivals, but at the rear, it struggles to cope up with them. Both the A8 and the 7 Series have a lot more headroom and legroom for the rear-seat passengers, and while the Panamera has limited legroom at the rear, the headroom is of no concern at all. The Bimmer has the largest trunk on offer after Model S, while the Audi A8 and Panamera offer a boot just on par with the midsize sedans. Major interior features include:

• 12-way power-adjustable Heated Front Seats w/Memory
• 60-40 Folding Bench Fold Forward Rear Seat
• Hand-Wrapped Microfiber Cloth/Synthetic Leather Upholstery
• Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column w/Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning w/Steering Wheel Controls
• Homelink Garage Door Transmitter
• Cargo Area Concealed Storage and Cargo Net
• Tracker System

How intuitive is the 2015 Tesla Model S Electric’s infotainment unit?

There is no doubt that the large 17-inch head unit of the Model S looks very futuristic, but the fact that almost each and every aspect has to be controlled via the touchscreen isn’t the most efficient way while driving. The interface though is very smooth with crisp graphics and quick response timings and comes loaded with plenty of features. Although the standard maps system does not offer turn-by-turn navigation, which is only added with the optional Tech package. Major infotainment features include:

• 17-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 7-speaker stereo system
• Online radio and On-demand internet radio
• Mobile Hotspot Internet Access
• Smart Device Integration
• Integrated Navigation System w/Voice Activation
• Real-Time Traffic Display

The countless hours spent by Tesla in a wind tunnel to perfectly channel the air over the Model S has resulted in not only one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world but one that is also very appealing to look at. The glass roof with panoramic sunroof is what attracts the most attention, while the small lip spoiler on the trunk and chrome treatment all around the car makes it look premium and sporty at the same time. 

The larger cabin of the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series is due to the longer length and wheelbase of the car as compared to the Model S, and while the Panamera is similarly sized at that of the Tesla, it offers an inch of ground clearance. The Audi A8 has a similar ride height, while the BMW has the highest stance in this comparison. The weight of the battery also makes the Model S the heaviest of the lot despite being shorter in length. Standout exterior highlights of the sedan include: 

• Automatic Projector Beam High-Intensity Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers
• Power Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors w/Tilt Down and Power Folding
• Chrome Door Handles, Side Windows Trim, and Bodyside Insert
• Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
• Lip Spoiler
• 19-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels

There are no safety tests conducted yet by either the NHTSA or the IIHS for the Tesla Model S, but the number of safety functions and driver assistance features that Tesla offers as standard across the Model S lineup are more than enough to keep us content in terms of safety. The impressive braking performance, the long list of electronics, sound engineering practices, and the almost safe history of the car should add some surety to the minds of the buyers regarding the safety of the car. A highlight of the most prominent safety features and driver aids available with the 2015 Model S is listed below. 

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Driveline Traction Control
• Forward Collision Mitigation and Rear Collision Warning
• Blind Spot Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Front and Back-Up Camera
• Restricted Driving Mode
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning

The 2015 Tesla Model S is aging like a fine wine ever since it started sales back in 2012. The car has matured year after year, and with different battery and motor setups offering phenomenal performance or driving range based on what one needs out of their large family sedan, Tesla seems to have all its basics covered well. With the complimentary nationwide Supercharging network and the long list of technology that Tesla offers, one can never really go wrong by investing the large sum of money that the manufacturer asks for saving mother nature and fuel bills for the future.