Tesla existential threat?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 53
From: San Francisco, CA
I love the Model S/X screen setup, the 3 not so much. I dont like the 3 not having an instrument display and dont like the look of the iPad stuck into the dash look, much prefer the integrated look. I also think I prefer the two screen look on the Taycan from an aesthetic perspective than the S even. Not sure why its any functionally worse to have two screen instead of one long vertical. They serve different functions, being separate doesnt hurt and I think looks better. Agree Im unlikely to get the passenger screen unless its cheap, doubtful, but I dont think its necessarily a negative either.
The risk the European automakers are taking is that (all) buyers will want a classic luxury car powered by batteries. In reality, as Tesla is showing, consumers want an integrated smartcar with lifetime upgrades like an iPhone you keep for 15 years.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 53
From: San Francisco, CA
Well, its more like a desktop computer. The main board for the display is a $600 Intel Celeron 1.4 ghz. In theory you could upgrade it, but it seems to be fine for a decade. Think of all of those old cash registers and airport checkin screens out there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 813
Likes: 137
From: California
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 4,890
From: Santa Cruz, CA
It’s impressive, no doubt, but does it feel any different in a straight line to a Tesla Model S P100D? Nope. And right there is the challenge for makers of fast EVs: for now, extreme speed on tap is a novelty, but in the future differentiating your wares has to be a priority.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 106
Likes: 27
Nothing new here? Haven't you been going on and on about the Taycan not matching the Tesla Model S or even M3P in low speed, straight line performance? Looks like 0-60mph (once or twice) might still go to the Model S, 1/4 mile will be interesting, 0-200km/h, 1/2 mile etc should go to the Taycan Turbo. Competition makes life fun.
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Adirondack Mountains, New York
Anyone who switched early on from a PC to a Mac is personally familiar with the interesting human psychology behind hostility towards Tesla and Elon Musk. The most interesting thing is that those who indulge in the negativity do not appear to know or care where it bubbles up from - it's fairly obvious, isn't it?
As mainstream manufacturers trip over themselves to introduce EVs, Tesla could be posting ads similar to those of Apple in 1995: "CONGRATS.W95".
As mainstream manufacturers trip over themselves to introduce EVs, Tesla could be posting ads similar to those of Apple in 1995: "CONGRATS.W95".
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 106
Likes: 27
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 972
Likes: 129
On the former, this is actually a reason I dislike Tesla. I prefer dedicated buttons, switches, dials, etc for the critical controls rather than everything on a big screen in nested menus, because dedicated switchgear is easier to use by feel, is less distracting while driving, and just looks and feels good. I suspect Tesla went this route more so to save costs than to really innovate. Software is cheaper than hardware.
But I really do wish other car manufacturers would follow Teslas lead for software updates. Why should our infotainment systems be frozen in time the year a car was made? They should update just like our iPhones with new features.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 457
Likes: 95
From: California
Not just infotainment system everything that controls the car can be updated over the air in a Tesla. The car can continue to improve not to mention It probably saved a lot of recalls and service visits. Don't know how hard it is but it's definitely something other manufactures should do too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 813
Likes: 137
From: California
Not just infotainment system everything that controls the car can be updated over the air in a Tesla. The car can continue to improve not to mention It probably saved a lot of recalls and service visits. Don't know how hard it is but it's definitely something other manufactures should do too.
Updating infotainment system is ok. Updating anything that is related to safety and drivability is not ok. I want to buy a car that is complete when it is released to the public. Not a car that is still in beta version and a major brakes software update comes after the car is released because they skipped very basic tests. If we allow them to follow Tesla, companies won't complete cars by the release date because "I can always fix it later". No. I don't want to drive a beta.