Tesla — Plug And Play

Talk about terrific timing. Earlier this year, high fuel prices caused many car owners to reexamine their vehicle purchase strategy. Then global warming became front-page news with a national heat wave coinciding with the release of An Inconvenient Truth, followed by Who Killed the Electric Car. Those events created the perfect media environment to announce a promising new automotive technology.

When I learned about the new pure electric (non-hybrid) sports car from Tesla Motors, a small Bay Area startup, I yawned. The major automakers have all put some of their best minds to work on this technology, most famously GM's EV-1 electric. And I've spent quality time behind the wheel of all of them. In fact, our former home was rewired so thoroughly for various charging schemes that it could easily support a commercial welding rig.

My acquaintance with the best electric vehicles is that the driving experience is quiet and responsive — as long as you don't travel very far. It's a lot like an economy car with a two-gallon gas tank and a filler pipe the size of a small straw. That may work for a short commute, but not for much else.

The first reports of Tesla's new electric sports car emphasized its dramatic acceleration from 0 to 60 in four seconds and top speed of 135 mph, but that's not the important story. The 250-mile highway range in a car that's fun to drive is the remarkable specification.

Tesla achieves this breakthrough by utilizing lithium ion batteries, the same rechargeable power source found in portable electronics, to power its state-of-the-art electric motor.

Standard lithium ion batteries are small, a bit larger than AA dry cells, so it takes 6,831 of them to power the Tesla roadster. And for all these little batteries to work safely and efficiently, Tesla's team spent years and more than 50 percent of their development time to design a very high-tech battery system. The result is a series of sophisticated battery stacks with their own management computers, connected by an optical network and cooled by polypropylene glycol. It's not a cheap solution, but it pays big dividends.

With lithium ion batteries providing three times the energy density of the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrids and a few pure electric vehicles, Tesla's next step was to design a powertrain that would take full advantage of this windfall.

A powerful, yet small, brushless electric motor with just one moving part that spins in durable ceramic bearings is connected to a two-speed transmission driving the rear wheels. It's housed in a light, carbon fiber-bodied sports car custom built by Lotus in England. In fact, the Tesla looks a lot like a Lotus Elise, but it's faster and quieter without losing Lotus' legendary sports handling characteristics. During a short drive around the company's San Carlos headquarters, I was impressed with how the car behaved like a very quick, quiet Lotus. And that's not a small compliment.

Tesla's first 100 cars (manufactured in Taiwan and assembled in England) are nearly all spoken for, even though delivery won't begin until sometime early next year. That's quite a feat for a company few have heard of and a car that retails for more than twice the price of a similar, gas-powered sports car.

The company plans to add a small sedan to its lineup and may even bring the manufacturing to our shores.
— Brian Douglas

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YachtFest Sets Sail In San Diego
Now in its seventh year, YachtFest San Diego will return to Shelter Island Marina/Island Palms Hotel, September 14-17. The event provides an opportunity to experience the luxury of the world's finest super yachts. Over 30 yachts will be on display, ranging from 60-130 feet. Attendees may tour the yachts, meet with sales and charter brokers, and see the newest in yachting products. During the four-day event, YachtFest will feature an informational area to learn more about chartering a yacht, how to get started, and where to go. And for those interested in learning more about working on a yacht, YachtFest will also feature a free seminar, Your Career in Yachting. Captains, crewmembers, engineers, stewards, and chefs will be on hand to discuss their experiences and opportunities in the luxury yacht industry. (858/836-0133, www.yachtfest.com)

Also of note at YachtFest, the all new Azimut 116, built by Fraser Yachts Worldwide in Italy, is making it's West Coast debut right here in San Diego. With her sleek design, warm curves, custom mosaic tiling and appointed marble finishings throughout, this is a craft built for beauty and ultimate comfort. Two electronically-operated bimini tops allow control of the light entering the crescent-shaped helm station and the spacious lounging area, a remote-controlled garage holds smaller recreational watercraft, a media room provides for both entertainment and business, a spacious bar entertains guests on the flybridge, and numerous bedrooms add comfort and relaxation.

All told, this mansion on the water cruises at a cool 25 knots. (www.fraseryachts.com, www.azimutyachtswest.com) — Nickolas Cook