Hanging out with a fast company (emphasis on fast)

February 19, 2008 By

OK, I see the challenge is on. Jason Calacanis, founder/CEO of Mahalo, tonight, told me he had to find something better that whatever I saw at Microsoft last week that made me cry. I didn’t realize just how far he’d go to outdo Microsoft.

What I experienced tonight made it impossible to cry.

Why?

Well, let’s just say that my tear ducts are now implanted on the back of my skull.

So, what did Jason do? Well, he gave me a fun tour of Mahalo that we’ll have up on FastCompany.tv in early March and then invited Rocky and me to dinner where we met up with Elon Musk. Who’s he? Chairman of Tesla Motors (as well as a few other things, he was one of the co-founders of PayPal). Who are they? They are making a new all-electronic sports car. You might have heard of it.

And what was he driving? His just arrived, first production model, Tesla.

All the attention you want

Of course I begged for a ride.

Wouldn’t you?

The thing is, we did a little Santa Monica street racing. Tesla vs. Vette.

Test drive of first production Tesla

Let’s just put it this way. The Tesla smoked the Vette.

We have video proof. But first, here’s Calacanis standing in front of his Vette:

Jason Calacanis and his Vette

Jason and Rocky rode in the Vette and broadcast on Qik live. I rode in the Tesla and also broadcast my experience live on Qik from my Nokia N95 cell phone (my video includes a 25-minute interview with Musk). How’s that for a two-camera shoot? Not to mention that we had a live audience and were talking with people around the world about the Tesla. The people we’re talking to are actually chatting with us WHILE we broadcast the ride live from our cell phones.

This is what you will see -- if you are lucky

I love it when Jason lost sight of the Tesla and asked Rocky “where did they go?”

Seriously, the experience was something I’ve never experienced in a car before. This thing just slams you to the back of your seat like a fighter jet does. The sound is interesting too. Sort of a whine. You’ll hear it a bit in the video I shot.

OK, Jason, you win. The Tesla is cooler than what Microsoft showed me although at $100,000 it better be (Musk is designing a sedan that should run about $50,000).

I shot a bunch of photos, some of which I’ve embedded here, but the rest are over on my Flickr page.

Elon Musk, Tesla Chairman, through windshield of first production Tesla

Amazingly the Tesla only costs about three dollars to “fill up” with an electric charge that’ll last you more than 200 miles. Let’s put it this way, my Saturn only goes about 20 miles on gasoline that costs that much.

Calacanis has ordered one, already. So have about 900 other people. Much more is covered in the video interview I did with Musk. He admitted that he used to own a $1.5 million Mclaren F1 supercar and that the Tesla outperforms that car between 30 and 70 MPH. Wow. Wow. Wow.

I’m trying to calm down from the ride three hours later. Wow.

Filed Under: Thanksgiving 2007
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  • Ken

    @25. Likely so does a motorcycle. I’m not sure I see the point of the comparison.

    “Since you’re not allowed to drive more than 75 MPH in the United States anyway the top end speed is totally useless””

    Errrr..right!!!! Because we all know that those that buy McClarens, Vettes, Bugattis, Porches, Ferraris only want to go 75 MPH.

    “the Tesla outperforms that car between 30 and 70 MPH””

    Define “outperforms”. How is the 70-0 braking? What’s the cornering performance? torque?

  • Ken

    @25. Likely so does a motorcycle. I’m not sure I see the point of the comparison.

    “Since you’re not allowed to drive more than 75 MPH in the United States anyway the top end speed is totally useless””

    Errrr..right!!!! Because we all know that those that buy McClarens, Vettes, Bugattis, Porches, Ferraris only want to go 75 MPH.

    “the Tesla outperforms that car between 30 and 70 MPH””

    Define “outperforms”. How is the 70-0 braking? What’s the cornering performance? torque?

  • Christopher Coulter

    They waiting for the final trans units, or going temporary swap out? Heh, every few months, new transmission time.

    Eberhard gone, with layoffs, firings, investors kicking out the other founders, missed production schedules, expenses seriously out of control, government ratholed money, misleading claims, no Big 3 backing, going for the trendy market, courting bloggers and techies…

    Sounds like a start-up about to go supernova. DeLorean Part 2 de jour.

  • Christopher Coulter

    They waiting for the final trans units, or going temporary swap out? Heh, every few months, new transmission time.

    Eberhard gone, with layoffs, firings, investors kicking out the other founders, missed production schedules, expenses seriously out of control, government ratholed money, misleading claims, no Big 3 backing, going for the trendy market, courting bloggers and techies…

    Sounds like a start-up about to go supernova. DeLorean Part 2 de jour.

  • Nathan

    Wow – illegal street racing. That’s impressive or irresponsible.

  • Nathan

    Wow – illegal street racing. That’s impressive or irresponsible.

  • http://www.segala.com/ Aido

    Robert, I hope I didn’t come across as cynical, I’ve grown up with my head under the bonnet and hands greasy. I said far fetched because people over here (Ireland) still wouldn’t believe it. I mentioned it to a mechanic whom I would admire and trust when it comes to ability for fixing cars, he thinks outside the box and from him I’ve learned a great deal. He agreed but said a saloon or people carrier would better suit the Irish market.

    That said I cant think of anyone who wouldn’t want one. People might question its overall ability but nuff said, I like it I really like it, would it ever make it to Irish shores?

  • http://www.segala.com Aido

    Robert, I hope I didn’t come across as cynical, I’ve grown up with my head under the bonnet and hands greasy. I said far fetched because people over here (Ireland) still wouldn’t believe it. I mentioned it to a mechanic whom I would admire and trust when it comes to ability for fixing cars, he thinks outside the box and from him I’ve learned a great deal. He agreed but said a saloon or people carrier would better suit the Irish market.

    That said I cant think of anyone who wouldn’t want one. People might question its overall ability but nuff said, I like it I really like it, would it ever make it to Irish shores?

  • Christopher Coulter

    Over promising and under-delivering? Telsa doing the Microsoft Model? So granting a car, with KNOWN bugs (failing transmission) and then promising a retrofit fix? Hah. And I seriously doubt the transmission is the only known problem, if they are having so much trouble with an simple electric to a trans, they are gonna have a heck of a time with thermal, software, emissions controls and etc. The transmission is a serious reputation-killer. Telsa was just supposed to provide the electric components, mainly their battery, so what’s proving so impossible about a stock Lotus with an electric retrofit? The only thing that is new is the battery…kinda unreal that they can’t find a transmission that works.

    Public Beta’s hahaha. It’s doomed because people who don’t know cars, are the hypemasters.

  • Christopher Coulter

    Over promising and under-delivering? Telsa doing the Microsoft Model? So granting a car, with KNOWN bugs (failing transmission) and then promising a retrofit fix? Hah. And I seriously doubt the transmission is the only known problem, if they are having so much trouble with an simple electric to a trans, they are gonna have a heck of a time with thermal, software, emissions controls and etc. The transmission is a serious reputation-killer. Telsa was just supposed to provide the electric components, mainly their battery, so what’s proving so impossible about a stock Lotus with an electric retrofit? The only thing that is new is the battery…kinda unreal that they can’t find a transmission that works.

    Public Beta’s hahaha. It’s doomed because people who don’t know cars, are the hypemasters.

  • http://jamesdkirk.com/ James D Kirk

    If you really want fun, start Jason’s video in one browser window (not a tab) and approximately 50 seconds or so later start Robert’s video in another browser, pull them close together and watch them sync’d in close to real time. Nothing against Jason, but you might want to mute his audio since Scoble is actually interviewing Musk during the 27 or so minute ride. Very cool stuff!

  • http://jamesdkirk.com James D Kirk

    If you really want fun, start Jason’s video in one browser window (not a tab) and approximately 50 seconds or so later start Robert’s video in another browser, pull them close together and watch them sync’d in close to real time. Nothing against Jason, but you might want to mute his audio since Scoble is actually interviewing Musk during the 27 or so minute ride. Very cool stuff!

  • Christopher Coulter

    PS – But just having a venture-hustler like Elon “Colonize Space” Musk as chairman, is enough to sink it. So I am assuming you agree with Musk’s blog censorship and treatment of Eberhard then? ;)

  • Christopher Coulter

    PS – But just having a venture-hustler like Elon “Colonize Space” Musk as chairman, is enough to sink it. So I am assuming you agree with Musk’s blog censorship and treatment of Eberhard then? ;)

  • Christopher Coulter

    PSS – Elon Musk was in Mahalo’s second round, conflict of interest, eh?. :) But both are doomed.

  • Christopher Coulter

    PSS – Elon Musk was in Mahalo’s second round, conflict of interest, eh?. :) But both are doomed.

  • http://www.somenice.com/ Andrew

    Now if you could only put the sound of the Vette into the Tesla. This thing certainly has it’s share of haters and lovers. thanks

  • http://www.somenice.com Andrew

    Now if you could only put the sound of the Vette into the Tesla. This thing certainly has it’s share of haters and lovers. thanks

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  • Wreck

    Electric cars are too cool as evidenced by this YouTube video of an electric car vs. a Ferrari and a Porsche.

  • Wreck

    Electric cars are too cool as evidenced by this YouTube video of an electric car vs. a Ferrari and a Porsche.

  • http://aiusepsi.co.uk aiusepsi

    The most gutting thing about these not being available in the UK is that they’re built in the UK at the Lotus factory.

    Anyways, the reason the torque is phenomenal is because it’s an electric motor. The physics of it are just completely different. You get the maximum torque when you turn it on from a standing start, compared to an internal combustion engine, which doesn’t work at all unless it’s in motion.

    Anyways, from what I’ve read it’s not a stock Lotus, there have been a lot of changes to it. The lack of an internal combustion engine and fuel tank, and the addition of the electric motor and battery instead have forced some rethinks in the design as well as a few other modifications.

  • http://aiusepsi.co.uk aiusepsi

    The most gutting thing about these not being available in the UK is that they’re built in the UK at the Lotus factory.

    Anyways, the reason the torque is phenomenal is because it’s an electric motor. The physics of it are just completely different. You get the maximum torque when you turn it on from a standing start, compared to an internal combustion engine, which doesn’t work at all unless it’s in motion.

    Anyways, from what I’ve read it’s not a stock Lotus, there have been a lot of changes to it. The lack of an internal combustion engine and fuel tank, and the addition of the electric motor and battery instead have forced some rethinks in the design as well as a few other modifications.

  • http://www.segala.com/ Aido

    Hey guys ever heard of Skoda? They got off to a bad start but over a few years built up a decent brand rep. Not in the same league by any means, but if you have the passion and drive ;)

  • http://www.segala.com Aido

    Hey guys ever heard of Skoda? They got off to a bad start but over a few years built up a decent brand rep. Not in the same league by any means, but if you have the passion and drive ;)

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  • Wreck

    @37,

    Skoda makes great stuff. I love watching their rally cars. But, we all know nothing touches the Ford Cosworth in the rally…

  • Wreck

    @37,

    Skoda makes great stuff. I love watching their rally cars. But, we all know nothing touches the Ford Cosworth in the rally…

  • http://www.jetsongreen.com/ Preston

    On a different note, your photography is incredible Scoble. I don’t know the intricacies of photography, but those shots look great. The angles and perspective, etc.

  • http://www.jetsongreen.com Preston

    On a different note, your photography is incredible Scoble. I don’t know the intricacies of photography, but those shots look great. The angles and perspective, etc.

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  • Not rich or famouse

    Robert – I normally like your stuff – but keep in mind who your readers are.

    You can only take the cult of personality thing so far. I find it annoying that you show off fancy gadgets (and now cars) that I can’t afford. If people are affording you the privilege to buy said fancy gadgets – use them for something meaningful, not just galvanting off in a new car to enlarge the size of Calcanis’ piece.

    nice photos — but guess what, nobody cares.

  • Not rich or famouse

    Robert – I normally like your stuff – but keep in mind who your readers are.

    You can only take the cult of personality thing so far. I find it annoying that you show off fancy gadgets (and now cars) that I can’t afford. If people are affording you the privilege to buy said fancy gadgets – use them for something meaningful, not just galvanting off in a new car to enlarge the size of Calcanis’ piece.

    nice photos — but guess what, nobody cares.

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  • Ken

    @39. Indeed. With the shadows,lighting and perspective, Calacanis looks like he has boobs.

  • http://www.seanpercival.com Sean Percival

    Robert,

    Great to finally meet you, sorry we didn’t get a chance to see the ride as well! Keep rocky well feed, for such a big guy, what a picky eater. :D

    Take care,
    Sean

  • http://www.seanpercival.com sean percival

    Robert,

    Great to finally meet you, sorry we didn’t get a chance to see the ride as well! Keep rocky well feed, for such a big guy, what a picky eater. :D

    Take care,
    Sean

  • Ken

    @39. Indeed. With the shadows,lighting and perspective, Calacanis looks like he has boobs.

  • mitch

    Can somebody please explain to me how a 248hp Tesla with a top speed of 125 mph beats a Corvette with 430hp and a top speed of 200mph? Does Calacanis not know how to drive?

  • mitch

    Can somebody please explain to me how a 248hp Tesla with a top speed of 125 mph beats a Corvette with 430hp and a top speed of 200mph? Does Calacanis not know how to drive?

  • http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_macdonough.htm bobw

    As the man-in-black said in The Princess Bride: “This isn’t as easy as it looks!”

    Mechanical Engineering is hard. Transmissions are particularly hard. The M1 Abrams tank used to destroy its transmissions. It’s powered by a gas turbine derived from a helicopter engine. It too is very different from a piston engine.

  • Bob

    As the man-in-black said in The Princess Bride: “This isn’t as easy as it looks!”

    Mechanical Engineering is hard. Transmissions are particularly hard. The M1 Abrams tank used to destroy its transmissions. It’s powered by a gas turbine derived from a helicopter engine. It too is very different from a piston engine.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    mitch: are you really that lame? Top speed doesn’t equal off the line performance. Watch the video, we cover all this there.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    mitch: are you really that lame? Top speed doesn’t equal off the line performance. Watch the video, we cover all this there.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Not rich: I can’t afford to buy these things either, but they are interesting pieces of technology and I cover people in the technology industry. It’s not every day you get to ride around Santa Monica in a one-of-a-kind car and interview one of the guys who started PayPal.

  • http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

    Not rich: I can’t afford to buy these things either, but they are interesting pieces of technology and I cover people in the technology industry. It’s not every day you get to ride around Santa Monica in a one-of-a-kind car and interview one of the guys who started PayPal.

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  • Wreck

    To the whiners:

    Anyone who is overly jealous of other really needs to get a life. The information provided here by Robert is just reporting the facts and circumstances.

    That’s the problem and the reason so many people are in debt. Be happy with what you have. It’s nice to dream and want cool gadgets, but the wise man always realizes that wanting is the better part of having.

    Maturity dictates when reading posts about cars most people will never drive let alone see. It’s a car for pete’s sake — it gets you from point A to point B. No more no less. So many people think a mere car or gadget is somehow going to improve their lot in life. No chance. People are nothing but the sum of their experiences. Be happy with your lot in life or strive to change it realistically.

    Be happy that Scoble reports on things you might not get a chance to see. While you may never drive a Tesla, the overarching theme here is that this kind of development will, in the long run, trickle down to everyday cars that you will be able to afford and drive.

  • Wreck

    To the whiners:

    Anyone who is overly jealous of other really needs to get a life. The information provided here by Robert is just reporting the facts and circumstances.

    That’s the problem and the reason so many people are in debt. Be happy with what you have. It’s nice to dream and want cool gadgets, but the wise man always realizes that wanting is the better part of having.

    Maturity dictates when reading posts about cars most people will never drive let alone see. It’s a car for pete’s sake — it gets you from point A to point B. No more no less. So many people think a mere car or gadget is somehow going to improve their lot in life. No chance. People are nothing but the sum of their experiences. Be happy with your lot in life or strive to change it realistically.

    Be happy that Scoble reports on things you might not get a chance to see. While you may never drive a Tesla, the overarching theme here is that this kind of development will, in the long run, trickle down to everyday cars that you will be able to afford and drive.

  • http://www.segala.com/ Aido

    @Wreck totally agree. Part and parcel of life is to have fun no matter what your circumstances are make the best of it.

    When it over laps with technology for me even better. I cant stand people ho take pop shots because something is out of their reach.

    I’ve met Jason (in London once) nice guy, never met Scoble but if I did I’d be tempted to put my hand on his ass, as thats probably the closest I’ll probably ever get to the inside of the Tesla Roadster :)

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