Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/646941
March / April 2016 31 Many people recognize Tesla as the atten- tion getter of cars powered 100% by batter- ies. Their vehicles look like modern, sleek, sensible sedans, not hump backed, cartoon- ish rolling tin cans that you hide, not park in your garage. Price wise, remember it is a luxury vehicle. Currently in Kansas City, Tesla has two lo- cations. I visited their Country Club Plaza location where friendly and knowledgeable people greeted me and explained the inner workings of each model. A test drive was quickly offered. Once situated behind the wheel and pressing on the brake, the car came alive. Pressing on the foot feed the Tesla stealthily crept away from the drive- way. Only the sound of gravel crackling beneath the tires was audible. Once on a proper stretch of road, sans traffic, I was in- structed to punch it. Trust me, this is not your father's golf cart. Only in Porsche's GT3R or 917 does the acceleration mimic what the Tesla delivers. That push-your- spine-to-the-back-of-the-seat experience is real, and fun. And, because the batteries fill the entire area below the cockpit floor, a low center of gravity makes cornering a blast. It is a big car, so the maneuverability does not match the go kart feel of my Cayman, but it was the most fun I had ever had driving a large sedan. I won't bore you with specifications on weights, measurements, voltage, etc. There are plenty of web sites that can provide you with the motor head info if you so desire them. Overall the fit and finish and the driv- ability was of a high standard. However, it was electric, and therefore, one must find an outlet to rejuice the car. And there, in my opinion, comes the rub. Photos by Jim Rand & Porsche