I realize gears are not as critical in electectric motors due to their increased torque, but seems there would still be a major benefit to having a manual option especially on curvy roads. It really comes down to driveability than anything else. As a sportscar enthusiast I am suprised one has not been offered, for many people this is a deal killer, regardless of whether it mechanical sense or not. To me it takes the spirit, experience and fun of driving out of the car.
@RichD11
I suggest you test drive a Model S.
Yeah I am used to stick, but after test driving several EVs, I find that I can live without it. For us retro sports car fogies maybe they could make a variant of the new roadster with a manual, maybe a limited run of 1,000 or so. With an electric engine noise generator to get our juices flowing hehe...
Nobody can make a transmission that doesn't break under the Tesla Torque when downshifting. They tried with the original Roadster, and couldn't do it.
Well I guess artificial 'rev rev' noises will have to do... I was mostly joking but did not know it would not work at all, thought it would be like 1,2 and D in automatics, first and second are not necessary but useful in select situations like heavy snow. So something the kids will laugh about it in 40 years 'hey I remember dad shifting gears to make the car go' like we churned our own butter or something hehe
one gear = no gear change = no manual
I love manual transmission cars. And the fact that you can't shift in EV's is the only downside of driving an EV (if you ask me). It's the same with a normal A/T car, I don't like it. I love clutching and shifting, having control, and not sitting there while the car drive it self.
BUT, EV's are difference. 100 % torque at 0 RPM, they are "nothing" like a petrol car. And a transmission would kill many of the EV's advantages. In EV's you don't need transmission, it wouldn't do any good. And it would take up more space, adding more moving parts. Adding more weight, more parts that need maintenance and so on.
I love Tesla and EV's. They're awesome! And being 100 % electric powered is a huge advantage!
Not only would a transmission kill EV advantages, the EV kills transmissions. Too much power to handle! They just break.
>:)
The S does have a electronic transmission, right on the steering wheel. Three choices, P, F, and R.
It's called 'shifter' or 'shift lever' not 'electronic transmission'
The other point is that higher top speeds (which would really be the only benefit of including a transmission on the Model S) would use up your battery charge so fast (due to drag) it wouldn't matter anywhere but on the track.
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