Not quite this week, but I thought you might be interested.

[magicb5]

I had the opportunity to test drive the Tesla Model S, so I took the B5 (E60) out to have a direct comparison.
There were 2 models 85D and P85D with insane mode.
First I listened to their explanation, which included the 700kg battery pack (!), then I went for a drive in the 85D. I commented that the acceleration seems to drop off rapidly above 80-100km/h, so they took me out in the P85D, and switched it to insane mode. This time the initial start is unbelievable – you could get whiplash – then after the initial push I had the same feeling that the acceleration was dropping off quickly, and was accelerating less than my B5.

So, I wanted to understand
- Is it just a feeling (ie the reduced acceleration was relative to the very high initial acceleration)
- Is it due to no shifts (with automatic or manual gears the body has a change in acceleration that “resets” your feeling of acceleration), or
- Is it for real.

The first article that helped me understand it was a Consumer Reports comparison of the Hellcat and a Tesla. This shows the Hellcat has faster acceleration at higher speed, even if the starting acceleration is lower.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news ... /index.htm

I then cross checked this against a few drag times results (accel graphs) which also showed around 1g for the first second – impressive stuff.
http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/tesla-mod ... e-vs-sport
So, why might a 650 HP car feel slower than a 500 HP car ?

First looking at the weight and the power to weight ratio, the figures I could find are


So the B5 only loses 3% by this measure

Next acceleration times I could find
Alpina B5 Tesla S P85D
0-100 4.7 3.6
0-160 9.5 8.6
0-200 14.5 14.6
100-160 4.8 5.0
100-200 9.8 11.0
So the B5 does actually measure faster than the Tesla above 100km/h, but this must mean the Tesla does not continue to develop 100% of its power at higher speeds, or cannot deliver the full power for this length of time
For the record, here are some graphs I prepared to help understand the situation (based on the quoted power outputs and gearing and no losses).




However after some thought – why do I need a car that is faster in 100-200 acceleration, ie how often do I use it (since Germany is 1.5 hours away it can be used).

[WINNE1]

My thought is you have a lot of time on your hands!! but well done very interesting !!

[PhillV8S]

As accomplished as the Tesla no doubt is, the styling leaves me cold and the drivetrain must feel like a CVT which though effective is dull as ditchwater to a petrolhead.
Also how many times can the Tesla launch in insanity mode and be fun for before the long coffee break waiting for a recharge? In the Alpina you can repeat the fun over and over and only takes a few minutes at a petrol station before your on your way again leaving mr Tesla to his thoughts over his now very cold coffee!
I had a family friend visit me last week up from London in his new Tesla and he was having to plan his route carefully in advance, as he was travelling around the UK to enable a road trip to be possible. He was finding ownership abit annoying when taking his car out of the city.
I’ll be sticking with the B6 for now I think 😉

[Broch]

With regards to acceleration between cars, I don't know the dynamics of what the different feeling of acceleration is called, but in my B6 the feeling I get is very explosive.
I test drove a new B4s back in June, and the acceleration although quicker in that car felt very linear and smooth. It's not until I looked at the speedo that I was shocked at the speed I was doing after just a few seconds.
So although the B6 has more ponies and feels faster, the B4s was certainly more smooth and rapid.
Could this be down to 'new v's old' perhaps?

Onzie

[Norrie]

This is a strange comparison as clearly not talking about like for like. I see lots of people who have the Tesla, they are on the constant worry of where do I recharge my car?

There is by way of an example a few charging points at a Hotel chain near Northampton, but here is the wammy, one forgets to register your car in the hotel foyer on their electronic pad and you could get a 100 GB pounds parking fine. Secondly what is there to do whilst you wait the 30 minutes or is it 45 for it to charge? Yes, they sell that kind of coffee that is 3 pounds plus a cup. I have seen families spending over 20 pounds easily, so that is a personal choice, but one wonders if they would be there if not for recharging, answer is clearly no.

Therefore, if you want an electric car Tesla is an option, if you want an Alpina and enjoy the petrol or diesel engine why even talk about Tesla?

I guess that Alpina might be forced to make a hybrid or even all electric in the future, so when they do, make your like for like comparison and let us know?

[190Colditz]

It's a valid comparison because private Tesla owners / lessors (as opposed to the luxury cab fleet) are always pointing out how their car can accelerate as fast as a sports-bike (without mentioning that they can probably do this once or twice a day without utterly draining the battery) and one of the headline items for an Alpina owner is how fast they go.

I'm in no way an electric car fan, but I would welcome a hybrid Alpina as I live in London (but drive outside London, which still involves driving out of London). 7-8mpg isn't very friendly and no fun at all at a 10mph average speed. The biggest issue I have with electric cars is the 700kg batteries: that's an awful lump of weight vs the 250ish kgs of a BMW V8 mill and the suspension and chassis has to cope with that.

[Charles]

There's a video doing the rounds where Andy Bovensiepen talks about ALPINA possibly having an inline electric motor between the engine and the gearbox, which can be used in town but is small enough that the battery pack doesn't take up too much space/weight.

[MarkWG]

I've only perceptions rather than measurements, but I was lucky enough to passenger in both a Tesla S & an Aston Martin Taraf a couple of years back, both driven very enthusiastically on track.

Very impressive machines, but the Tesla did leave me cold - just the sound of a couple of spin dryers as the scenery disappeared behind us, where as the Aston was pure shock & awe, whilst doing the quiet bit too. I think the Tesla would start to bore me, whereas the Aston wouldn't ever (although I'd go for a standard Rapide, styling wise)

[190Colditz]

There's a video doing the rounds where Andy Bovensiepen talks about ALPINA possibly having an inline electric motor between the engine and the gearbox, which can be used in town but is small enough that the battery pack doesn't take up too much space/weight.

Yes: I thought the new B5 would have this set-up and am disappointed (but not very much).

I looked at the Panamera ST at a preview event in West London Porsche a couple of weeks ago and that looks to be a great family wagon but missing the middle rear seat.

[scalesg]

I saw a video of Tesla V B5S in an off the blocks start. The Tesla beats the B5 off the line but the B5 eventually soars past it, which confirms one of your theories, it is real.

I searched Bing for Alpina B5 versus tesla and the evidence is there

[Charles]

There's a video doing the rounds where Andy Bovensiepen talks about ALPINA possibly having an inline electric motor between the engine and the gearbox, which can be used in town but is small enough that the battery pack doesn't take up too much space/weight.

Yes: I thought the new B5 would have this set-up and am disappointed (but not very much).

On further investigation, I am led to believe that this is the same arrangement that BMW use for their hybrids, so probably not a surprise if ALPINA adopt a similar system.