Top Gear clarifies: Tesla did not run out of juice on the show
Dec 24, 2008 Auto Tech
Tesla Roadster
We had reported that BBC Top Gear had tested the Tesla Roadster recently. Jeremy Clarkson had claimed how the all-electric Tesla ran out of juice midway ’round the track during their test and showed how it had to be pushed back to the garage. Tesla had issued denials that the two cars sent over for the test crapped out after 55 miles of hard driving. Turns out Clarkson made it up (as usual!).
According to Top Gear’s spokeswoman, footage showing the Roadster being pushed into the garage was filmed to show what would happen if the car’s lithium ion battery went dead. “Top Gear stands by the findings in this film and is content that it offers a fair representation of the Tesla’s performance on the day it was tested,” the BBC said in a statement, according to The Register.
Top Gear is popular more for its entertainment value, rather than objective coverage. Jeremy and the team often pass judgements that are hilarious and not to be taken at their face value. This seemed just liked one of them.
BBC Top Gear drives the Honda FCX Clarity as well
Dec 18, 2008 Auto Tech
In the same episode that Jeremy drove the Tesla Roadster in Top Gear, Captain Slow James May drove the Honda FCX Clarity, the fuel cell vehicle from Honda which has been leased out to few lucky blokes in California. No more words from me, just enjoy the video!
If you liked the Clarity, the future is exciting. See how Honda teased us with FCX derived concept cars recently. So here is where we think all those money Honda will be saving by pulling out of Formula 1 from 2009 will be going: fuel cell vehicle R&D!
Tags: FCX, Honda, Hybrid cars, Top Gear
BBC Top Gear tests the Tesla Roadster
Dec 18, 2008 Auto Tech
The enormously popular TV show, Top Gear tested the Tesla Roadster recently.The Tesla Roadster, as most of you will know, is an all electric sportscar, built in California by a company founded by Elon Musk, who made his fortune through PayPal. It is based on the Lotus Elise chassis and uses an array of laptop like cells to provide juice.
The Top Gear crew had a few reservations, but were impressed by the pace and the Roadster actually matched the timings of a Porsche GT3 on the track. Video is here.
Tesla has clarified that the cars never actually ran out of juice, the brake failure was actually a blown fuse which was easily replaced and they gloated about the fact that Clarkson, the popular but hardly diplomatic host was impressed by the acceleration to call himself a “Volt head”.
Tesla has been in controversy for a range of problems: from gearbox problems, to overheating to financial troubles which entailed layoffs and slowing of future product development plans. Read more here.
Tags: BBC, Road Test, Tesla Motors, Top Gear