The Model S, though naturally having a radical powertrain, has a suspension setup that doesn't look exactly other-worldly, but that's not to say it's entirely normal. It's double-wishbone up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, with the motor attached to a subframe and situated between the rear wheels. The battery pack keeping the show on the road is not situated behind the driver like in the Roadster, rather forming a sheet that looks to be about four inches thick. This sheet is is a structural member of the car, helping the chassis to resist twisting. It's the lowest point in the car (other than the tires), sitting about level with the hubs on the wheels. Peter indicates that this gives the car an unusually low center of gravity, which helps to reduce the amount it rolls in corners.
It's so low that the car, despite its considerable 4,200lb bulk, can make do with relatively thin anti-rollbars. We asked Peter if we're getting to the point where the CG is so low, beneath the roll center of the car, that it would actually cause it to lean into corners. The Model S isn't quite there, apparently, but according to Peter that is apparently not as desirable a suspension effect as one might think, causing an unsatisfactory driving sensation, among other things.
The motor itself is a variation on that sitting amidships on the Roadster, this time liquid cooled, as are the batteries, enabling the car to maintain optimal temperatures. There is no transmission as such, just a simple reduction gearbox and differential. Peter wouldn't quote any drivetrain loss figures but indicated it'd be considerably lower than your average five speed setup, which can range between 10 to 20 percent of power gone simply due to friction. Additionally, the motor controller is integrated right onto the unit itself, with a direct bus connection that cuts down on electrical losses.
And what about that controversial interior? The one with the 17-inch, Tegra-powered touchscreen stuffed in the center stack? Peter calls this a "signature feature" of the car, and of course you can't argue with that, but we do have our concerns about usability. "Seeing is believing," according to the man and, given as we still haven't seen it, we'll go ahead and continue to have our doubts.
We're told the Model S is still rolling toward a release next year and still targeting that $57,000 price tag that Elon Musk assures us will be profitable for the company. What's it like to drive, and just how well can that touchscreen cope to the various greases and industrial components used in American fast food? For those answers we're just going to have to wait a bit longer.
