Sorry if I wasn't clear. I know you're "fond" of the SparkEV and no disrespect is intended but, there was nothing about my test drive of the SparkEV that made me think a Tesla Model S P85, S85, or S60 wouldn't be 100 meters ahead of a SparkEV by the time the SparkEV got to 90 mph. Furthermore, the handling characteristics of the SparkEV I drove, convinced me to never drive it over 70 mph unless I'm fleeing the Sharknado.blackmamba said:Maybe your Tesla is great from 0 to 50, but I don't think you are convinced it could beat the Spark if both were even up and accelerating from 50 to, say, 90. And keep in mind the Spark costs 1/4 what your Tesla costs, and is being promoted as a city car, so be fair in your judgement.
Furthermore, I know the 400+ ft-lb torque is somehow connected to the SparkEV drive train marketing materials but honestly, I never it felt it at the wheels. Maybe that requires a 50-90 run?
On the plus side, I didn't feel much torque-steer, unlike the Rav4EV. But then, I didn't feel excessive torque either. No, I don't want to bet 20% of anything, nor race. I'm just posting my impressions of a test drive and comparing that drive to EVs with which I'm familiar. I'm sure there will be a SparkEV-Tesla face-off sometime in our future. Try to believe me when I say that there was no comparison with the SparkEV test drive I took and my first "stomach-against-spine" test drive in a Model S. Or better yet, drive a Model S yourself and give us your comparison.
I also had no trouble remembering that it costs 1/4 of a Model S nor 95% of a LEAF. It drives / feels very much like a $12k car except for the quieter, smoother, more muscular acceleration of an EV. In my mind, I was sizing it up next to my 2011 Nissan LEAF. It is quicker than the LEAF, only noticeably above 40 mph IMO.
However, I will do another test drive with higher speed roads when I do the back to back compare with the 500e. I also want to get a feel for road noise. I couldn't get the salesman to zip-it long enough to get sense of that last time.