"New York Times Tesla unreliability claims a sham" says Tesla onboard computers

[El Bastardo]

Tesla has torn into the New York Times review of its Model S electric car, using systems logs showing charge and recharge status, driving style, cabin settings and more to undermine claims the EV is unreliable. In a detailed run-down of the stats gathered by the Model S’ onboard computer – something Tesla says it always does “carefully” on media drives, after UK car show Top Gear made similar reliability claims about a previous model, in a case which ended up in the courtroom

Tesla CEO Elon Musk argues that NYT reviewer John Broder was prejudiced against electric cars from the start, and did as much as possible to portray the Model S as unfit for the road.

...

For instance, the onboard logs showing what charge the Model S had at points of the journey, and when Broder decided to recharge, indicate he took the car off the power connection earlier than stated in the original review. “The final leg of his trip was 61 miles and yet he disconnected the charge cable when the range display stated 32 miles” Musk argues. “He did so expressly against the advice of Tesla personnel and in obvious violation of common sense.”

Meanwhile, some of Broder’s claims about how he tried to minimize power consumption are also challenged. Musk points to the typical speeds driven at – 65 to 85 mph – and the average cabin temperature of 72F for the duration of the test, and the fact that the reviewer also actively turned the heating up when charge was getting low.

...

Broder is even accused of trying to artificially run down the Model S’ battery by more than it would typically, driving “in circles for over half a mile in a tiny, 100-space parking lot” in front of one of Tesla’s Supercharger power stations, in what Musk suggests is an attempt to fully drain the car.

Tesla tears down NYT Model S review with car’s own logs - SlashGear

[sonick]

Here's a nice list of the goings-on of the whole debacle:

More Reading On The Telsa VS New York Times Story

[death_blossom]

I skimmed through a bunch of the articles, and it seems like the reviewer was really pushing the limits of the Model S' range capabilities. I don't think the average commuter would really travel that kind of mileage on a regular basis, let alone expect their Model S to last that long on a single charge.

[dasani604]

Two CNN reporters are doing the same route with 96 miles to spare. That NYT reporter won't be enjoying the next week.

From reddit (source from the Twitter feeds of the two CNN reporters):
Two CNN reporters are driving Tesla Model S over same route as NYTimes columnist right now! : technology

[heleu]

Wow, Tesla couldn't buy publicity like this even if they wanted to.

Having said that, I would buy a Tesla...after fulfilling my fantasy 20 car garage first.