Does Tesla Model S speed really matter?

Guest Post: Zbynek Veselovsky, Tesla S85D owner from Stavanger, Norway.

Editor's Note: We received these gorgeous photos taken in Hardanger Vidda National Park in Norway as a submission for our "Tesla Eye Candy" series. We requested some background into how these amazing photographs came to be – and... what a story!  Once again, we're humbled by the devotion and passion from Tesla Model S owners all around the world.

Since the delivery of my S85D a few months ago, I have spent most of my time amusing my kids (and myself) with acceleration sprees, testing all of Tesla's features and being amazed by its over-the-air updates. Honestly – what other car is able gain power solely via a software update? Living on the western coast of Norway we are a little bit limited by the maximum speed of 90km/h on the motorways, not to mention the length of the latter. In addition, the draconic fines for speeding really did not encourage me to test the limits of my Tesla.

But does speed really matter? My first real test was a road trip into the mountains last July. Cruising the beautiful Norwegian landscape is a treat, particularly if you're able to get one of those rare sunny days. But this kind of road trip is a completely different experience with the Tesla.

Plenty of reviews attest to the spectacular handling of the Tesla Model S due to its low center of gravity and (of course) outstanding power characteristics. I don't want to repeat those reviews (except that I can confirm they are true). You notice the real difference when you start to cruise with all the windows down and the sunroof open. You can actually hear the cowbells and the sound of rivers and waterfalls while driving. It's a very peaceful way to travel and quite unusual for our generation, which has to some extent lost touch with nature.

Range anxiety does not exist in the Tesla – the battery capacity exceeds that of my bladder by far and the two supercharger stops were pleasant breaks during my road trip. Speaking of superchargers – these were really well-located next to coffee shops or restaurants giving me a chance to relax and grab a bite to eat while topping up my battery.

I would be lying if I claimed that my whole journey was a slow, leisurely trip through the mountains admiring the sounds of nature. Once the caravans and tour buses retired for the evening, there were two mountain passes waiting for me on my way home. And it was here that the Tesla really demonstrated that it is far more than a family 7-seater or a long distance saloon. Sharp bends and steep, narrow roads are so much fun in the Model S. You can floor the car straight out of a hairpin and the four wheel drive gives you all the traction you need.

I was astonished that I covered over 550km on mountain roads that day yet felt as refreshed as an easy breeze. The only muscles that hurt were those in my face from the wide grins after each hairpin. The next big test will be when the real snow arrives - I'll see how the car handles then. And one more test will be for me to take the Tesla on a high speed trip to Germany. Maybe then I will change my mind – and the title of my blog post. I used to call myself a petrol head – but that may no longer be accurate…