Post by WDB on Aug 19, 2016 16:23:55 GMT
It was the Model X I actually went to see this week. It wasn't available to drive but I ought to offer some thoughts on the package.
I have to start with those doors. They're certainly impressive but I suspect they'd become an annoyance before long. They're slow to operate, open the roof to the sky (and whatever falls out of it) and the motors are in the roof, where they steal headroom. The showroom car didn't have a middle seat (it had three rows of two) but many will and the headroom above it is seriously restricted - enough to undo the benefits of the flat floor. The outer passengers get glazed cut-outs in the horizontal part of the closed door, but even that for me meant having the side of my head too close to the motor block for my liking.
There's less legroom in the second row than I expected too. The flat floor helps but with the driver's seat where I wanted it and the second row slid right back, it was a squeeze to get my knees behind or around its hard, shiny back. A BMW 3GT has more space here.
And the second row compromises it as a load carrier too. The Model S has proper folding rear seats but the X can only slide them forward and tilt them a little. Folding seats would make this an estate to crush the E-class and win even Humph's grumpy Scottish heart, but as it is it doesn't really work. I'm left with the thought that the second row seats steal too much room for themselves, at the expense of passengers and luggage.
There has to be good stuff too, of course. It looks magnificent, outside and in, and there'd be no problem with sense of occasion.
But I then went outside and drove the S, which blew me away. The X's selling point ought to be space, and it doesn't really deliver, which is why the Tesla I'm imagining on my drive is an S - even though that doesn't have enough space either.
I have to start with those doors. They're certainly impressive but I suspect they'd become an annoyance before long. They're slow to operate, open the roof to the sky (and whatever falls out of it) and the motors are in the roof, where they steal headroom. The showroom car didn't have a middle seat (it had three rows of two) but many will and the headroom above it is seriously restricted - enough to undo the benefits of the flat floor. The outer passengers get glazed cut-outs in the horizontal part of the closed door, but even that for me meant having the side of my head too close to the motor block for my liking.
There's less legroom in the second row than I expected too. The flat floor helps but with the driver's seat where I wanted it and the second row slid right back, it was a squeeze to get my knees behind or around its hard, shiny back. A BMW 3GT has more space here.
And the second row compromises it as a load carrier too. The Model S has proper folding rear seats but the X can only slide them forward and tilt them a little. Folding seats would make this an estate to crush the E-class and win even Humph's grumpy Scottish heart, but as it is it doesn't really work. I'm left with the thought that the second row seats steal too much room for themselves, at the expense of passengers and luggage.
There has to be good stuff too, of course. It looks magnificent, outside and in, and there'd be no problem with sense of occasion.
But I then went outside and drove the S, which blew me away. The X's selling point ought to be space, and it doesn't really deliver, which is why the Tesla I'm imagining on my drive is an S - even though that doesn't have enough space either.
