Electric-vehicle buyers in Norway enjoy hefty perks, from tax exemptions to free parking, but not everything is rosy in the world’s EV-friendliest country.
A group of 125 Norwegians has sued American automaker Tesla, alleging that the company’s Model S P85D with “Insane Mode” is simply not fast enough, Bloomberg reports.
Launched in late 2014 (but no longer in production), the P85D offered customers two motors, all-wheel drive, and a combined 691 horsepower. Insane Mode launches the vehicle from a stop to 60 miles per hour in a claimed 3.2 seconds. The automaker now offers a faster Ludicrous Mode.
Despite Norway’s deep, deep love for the Model S — the electricity-rich Scandinavian country is among the automaker’s biggest customers — these Norwegians felt the vehicle was cramping their style. They’re seeking an undisclosed amount of cash compensation.
The P85D has “too low horsepower,” attorney Kaspar N. Thommessen of the Wikborg Rein law firm told Bloomberg. He added, “And of course, it affects the car’s performance, according to the consumers.”
Hearings in Oslo District Court are scheduled for mid-December, but Tesla has already fired back at the litigants. The automaker claims independent tests show the P85D can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.1 to 3.3 seconds. Engine power is confirmed by European regulators, it added.
While the case can easily be seen as an eye-rolling gripe, it’s a concern for Tesla, as Norwegian litigants have collected cash on this claim before. In June, Norway’s Consumer Disputes Commission awarded five P85D owners 50,000 kroner ($7,500) each after they complained of slow acceleration.
What am I reading here?
(For everyone who had to sit through “How to Train Your Dragon”)
This is Berk. It’s twelve days north of Hopeless and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death. It’s located solidly on the Meridian of Misery. My village. In a word, sturdy. It’s been here for seven generations, but every single building is new. We have fishing, hunting, and a charming view of the sunset. The only problems are the pests. You see, most places have mice or mosquitoes. We have… dragons!
Honestly, both that movie and the sequel are pretty good for a “kid’s cartoon.”
Craig Ferguson’s performance made the movie for me.
Some title discrimination towards Norwegian people – who I’m sure love being generalized as Vikings.
If I had something badass as a Viking in my lineage I’d be demanding the association.
I’ve got poor Germans and poor Native Americans as mine.
Wait…is it April 1?
“now offers a faster Ludicrous Mode”
Does it go to plaid?
That is the next update.
This article (reprint) is terrible. You left out the entire basis of the claim: “the model only reached 469 horsepower instead of a pledged 700 hp.”
I wondered what the root of the complaint is. That would be part of it. Maybe it needs an “* under ideal weather conditions, colder temperatures can affect battery output” disclaimer?
Steph – hello, a car whose power is 33% below its claim deserves a hearing in court. You never mentioned this pertinent fact.
This isn’t a bunch of go-fast whiners; they’re claiming that Tesla produced faulty cars, or misrepresented the product.
I thought this was common sense now.
ICE cars are possible to reach their claimed output power, under certain conditions (weather, fuel, altitude, etc). P85D cannot output 691hp under any conditions. It’s just not possible, by design.
Everyone agrees P85D is a 0-60 monster. However, the claimed 691hp is only the sum of the max output from both motors. It does not in anyway represent the actually performance of the car. The car will never be able to output 691hp. The total power output is limited at around 470 horse power, which is consistent with it’s acceleration performance at higher speeds. This is why nearly all drag races of P85D ends at exactly 60mph. Beyond 60mph, it’s significantly slower than modern performance sedans.
Norwegian miles are longer than US statute miles (5280 feet)
“A Scandinavian mile (Norwegian and Swedish: mil, [miːl], like “meal”) is a unit of length common in Norway and Sweden, but not Denmark. Today, it is standardised as 10 kilometres (≈6.2 mi), but it had different values in the past.[1][2]” — wikipedia
They may be using this difference in their argument.
#TIL
So they’re claiming they were expecting the car to do 0-372mph (US) in 3.2 seconds? No wonder they were disappointed.
I was beginning to think Tesla stories were banned around here. There’s been several notable ones the last few weeks and all have gone unnoticed here.
Now that we have one it’s ridiculous.
I think it’s time to sue Steph. After reading this a article I have no idea why these folks are unhappy with their electric toys. And that my friends is ludicrous.
Good luck finding that “engine” power! Its like looking for all the elusive “motor” power in a straight ICE powered vehicle.