2012 Tesla Model S Signature Performance 4dr Sedan (3-phase, 4-pole electric DD)
Vehicle Type
RWD 4dr 5-passenger Sedan
Base MSRP
$107,350
Options on test vehicle
21-Inch Silver Wheels With High-Performance Tires ($3,500); Rear-Facing Child Seats ($1,500 -- includes two rear-facing jump seats equipped with five-point harness seatbelts for young children up to 5 feet tall. Seats fold completely flat when not in use); All-Glass Tilt-Slide Panoramic Roof ($1,500 -- includes glass panoramic roof made of lightweight safety glass, manual sunshades); High-Power Wall Connector ($1,200)
As-tested MSRP
$115,050
Assembly location
Fremont, California
Drivetrain
Configuration
Transverse rear-mounted electric motor, rear-wheel drive
Engine type
Liquid-cooled 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor
Fuel cutoff/rev limiter (rpm)
16,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)
416 @ 5,000-8,600
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
443 @ 0-5,100
Fuel type
Electricity
Electric motor rating (kW)
310
Battery type
Liquid-cooled, lithium-ion
Battery capacity, rated (kW-hr)
85
Transmission type
Single-speed direct drive
Final-drive ratio (x:1)
9.73
Differential(s)
Open
Chassis
Suspension, front
Independent high-mount upper wishbone with dual-pivot lower links, pneumatic spring, monotube damper, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear
Independent multilink with lower wishbone, pneumatic spring, monotube damper, stabilizer bar
14-by-1.3-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with four-piston fixed calipers
Brakes, rear
14.4-by-1.1-inch ventilated cast-iron discs with four-piston fixed calipers
Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)
2.0
0-45 mph (sec.)
3.0
0-60 mph (sec.)
4.3
0-75 mph (sec.)
6.1
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)
12.6 @ 108.3
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
4.0
0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.)
2.0
0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.)
3.0
0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.)
4.3
0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.)
6.1
1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph)
12.6 @ 108.2
0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
4.0
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)
27
60-0 mph (ft.)
108
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph)
66.8
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON
66.0
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g)
0.86
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON
0.86
Sound level @ idle (dB)
35.4
@ Full throttle (dB)
64.2
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)
61.2
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)
Not displayed
Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments
As you would expect in an electric car with a ton of instant torque, the Tesla gets off the line in a hurry, and with zero wheelspin. The seemingly endless forward thrust does level off toward the end of the quarter-mile. First and second runs were quickest. After that, times get slower despite plenty of remaining charge, most likely because of heat buildup in the motor's starter. By the 6th and final run it had dropped of by 0.3 second.
Braking comments
Very firm pedal, feels like a normal car. Just a bit of extra travel at the end of the stroke. No fade and rock-solid stability. First stop was 110 feet. Second stop was shortest at 110 feet. Third stop (out of six) was longest at 112 feet. Consistent.
Handling comments
Skid pad: Definitely felt the weight here, and the lack of a free-revving internal-combustion engine means changes in throttle have less effect on the chassis. Still, the Tesla feels quite precise. Slalom: The stability control system cannot be fully defeated, but I was impressed with the lack of intervention. And it would even allow some power-on oversteer at the end of the run before it would dab the brakes. I preferred the steering set to the midlevel Standard mode. Sport seemed like it was fighting me more than helping. This is a very long and heavy car, and that it does this well around the cones points to an excellent suspension tuning compromise.