Hong Kong with Tom and Jenneke: Tesla Test Drive

Today was my first day driving in Hong Kong! Why not also make it the first day I drive a Tesla Model S?

Tesla sent an invitation to test drive the Model S which I gladly accepted. After seeing how the family fit (everyone had plenty of room) and checking the trunk space (a lot!) I took it out for a 15-minute spin from Hong Lok Yuen through Tai Po.

I drove the P85+ which is the hyper-powered, 400+ hp, 0-60 in 4.4 second version of the Model S. The torque and acceleration is incredible and pins you to your seat. It's odd not feeling the car shift, or hearing the loud response of an engine when you accelerate.

The interior of the car is luxurious; apparently their prime competition are Mercedes and BMW 5 and 7 shoppers. The fit and trim of the car was excellent with limited signs of plastic. The centerpiece is the huge 17" touchscreen that controls everything on the car. I wondered if it'd be difficult to read in bright light or at night; it has settings for both and I was able to view it just fine.

The car is geared towards tech - it comes stock with internet radio, Google maps (including traffic warnings) and automatically downloads new applications from Tesla. It saves seat recline, mirror and seat settings per driver. The car auto-unlocks and the handles extend from the door when the key FOB is within a certain distance and automatically turns off when the driver gets out of the car - no start button or key for this car! The version I drove had air suspension that could raise and lower the car 1.5" to get maximum performance out of it while cruising while enabling it to clear things like speed bumps and curbs. Oh, and it has plenty of legroom for me!

The kids couldn't ride due to insurance reasons and Jenneke opted not to drive it ... yet :)