A Shocking Car!

From Tesla, an emerging EV manufacturer that, despite having no prior experience in automotive development or production, launched the pure EV sports car "Roadster" and gained strong support from celebrities, comes its second model.

While the Roadster was created with technical cooperation from Lotus, the Model S is a four-door model developed as a completely original creation.

I had the opportunity to test drive this Model S, whose details were announced in Japan this January, near Santa Monica, California, at the end of last year. In a word, the impression was shocking. It wasn't just the completeness of the EV itself that surprised me; I was deeply impressed by its high level of refinement as a high-performance premium car.



The Model S, with its four doors and a tailgate, boasts a commanding presence with dimensions of 4,978mm in length, 1,964mm in width, and 1,435mm in height, fitting the recent trend of four-door coupe bodies. In essence, it's nearly the same size as the Aston Martin “Rapide” or the Porsche “Panamera”, and its actual presence on the road is in no way inferior to them.

That said, it lacks an imposing or overly ornate feel. Compared to the "Roadster," for instance, its styling is overwhelmingly clean and elegant. It's likely that many people will be captivated by its appearance alone.

17-Inch Touchscreen in the Cabin

Most striking of all is the large 17-inch touchscreen mounted on the center console. The Model S controls everything from air conditioning and audio to various vehicle information, as well as the strength of regenerative braking and the height of the air suspension, all from this single interface.

It also includes a navigation system. The vehicle is constantly connected to the internet, utilizing Google Maps for navigation. This constant connectivity will also be available in Japan, though details regarding the mobile carrier and other specifics are yet to be determined.

Seven-Seater Option Available in the US

There are no complaints about the interior space either.

Leveraging its 2,960mm wheelbase, both the front and rear seats are sufficiently spacious. Furthermore, the absence of an engine creates luggage space at both the front and rear of the vehicle. In the US specification, there's even an option for a seven-seater configuration with two rear-facing seats in the back.

Simply by looking at the interior and exterior, and touching the touchscreen, one can fully immerse themselves in the joy of experiencing a new premium car.

However, that alone wouldn't be described as shocking. The strong impression was primarily due to the driving quality being at a far higher level than anticipated.

Take off!

Specifications are available in three versions with maximum ranges of approximately 260km, 370km, and 460km, depending on the battery pack capacity. The 460km version offers the high-output "Performance" option. Standard specifications include a maximum output of 362 hp and a maximum torque of 440 Nm. The "Signature Performance" model I test-drove boasts a maximum output of 416 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm.



On the highway, when the road ahead cleared, I pressed the accelerator deeply. The performance at this moment was also breathtaking. With no gearbox, there was no step change, no roughness, and no tapering off of acceleration after the initial surge; the acceleration was truly exhilarating. It's a common expression, but it truly felt like it could lift off and fly, providing an incredible sensation.

Despite the vehicle weighing over 2.1 tons, the "Performance" model achieves 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

Deceleration can be achieved not only by using the foot brake but also by utilizing regenerative braking. The strength of this braking can be adjusted via the touchscreen. At its strongest setting, releasing the accelerator alone provides strong deceleration, allowing the car to come to a complete stop, making it easier to drive in city traffic than a conventional AT car. Conversely, on highways, setting the braking to a weaker level allows for more relaxed cruising.

Exceptional Suspension

The chassis, capable of handling such performance, is also superb. In fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this aspect surprised me even more than the powertrain.

The body and chassis exhibit excellent rigidity. The air suspension, with double wishbones at the front and multi-links at the rear, operates with utmost smoothness, providing a truly comfortable ride. The flatness of the car's posture at high speeds is something that makes you wonder how many premium-badged cars achieve this level of refinement.



The steering, with its pleasing feedback, provides exceptionally precise response from even the slightest steering input. With the battery located under the floor, the center of gravity is extremely low, and the absence of an engine contributes to a light front end. This results in neutral cornering behavior. In fact, until I checked the specs, I had assumed the car weighed around 1.7 tons, given its nimble handling.

Stability is also excellent. This test drive took place in the rain. I could feel the rear wheels threatening to skid if I applied too much throttle, but the system instantly controlled the rear motor torque to suppress any changes in behavior, so I felt no anxiety whatsoever. This is another advantage of EVs.

With This Level of Refinement, Still Only the Second Model?

Frankly, the Tesla "Roadster" still felt somewhat unpolished, or rather, it was more than just an existing car converted into an EV.

Given that, I never imagined that the "Model S," which is only their second model, would achieve such a high level of driving quality. And it's not just the driving; the exterior design and the interior craftsmanship also exceeded my expectations, which was truly delightful.

Reportedly, CEO Elon Musk meticulously checked the cars during production and unhesitatingly ordered revisions if anything didn't meet his satisfaction. While this did cause delivery delays, I believe those waiting will surely understand.

What About the Japanese Specifications?

Incidentally, at the time of the announcement in Japan in January, production numbers reached 13,200 units, and in the US, vehicles had already been delivered to 3,000 owners. Therefore, although it's behind the original schedule, it can be said that production is now gaining momentum. Deliveries in Japan are expected to begin around July for the left-hand drive models, and by the end of the year for the right-hand drive models.



In any case, with this Model S, I feel I've experienced fresh excitement from driving a car in a long time. I want to test drive it on Japanese roads as soon as possible. Better yet, I'd love to have one and live with it for a long time. It has genuinely made me feel that way.

Tesla Model S
Body Dimensions | Length 4,978 x Width 1,963 x Height 1,435 mm
Wheelbase | 2,959 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,661 / 1,699 mm
Weight | 2,108 kg
Maximum Output |
(Performance with 85kWh battery) 310kW (420ps)
(With 85kWh battery) 270kW (362ps)
(With 60kWh battery) 225kW (302ps)
(With 40kWh battery) 175kW (235ps)
Maximum Torque |
(Performance with 85kWh battery) 600Nm
(With 85kWh battery) 440Nm
(With 60kWh battery) 430Nm
(With 40kWh battery) 420Nm
Drivetrain | RR
Tires Front/Rear | 245/45R19 (245/35R21 optional)
Price | $59,900

*Figures are for US specification