I Smoked a Porsche at a Stoplight Today!

[veimi]

While testing my 2012 SE after a winter's hibernation I came to a stoplight with a very noisy small Porsche beside me, decked out in racing colours and a large PFAFF Tuning logo.

I didn't look at him and when the light turned green I floored it although I was only in Econo mode.

Judging from the noise of his engine, he tried but couldn't catch me up to the speed limit of 60 km/hr (36 mph) where we both backed off.

At the next exit ramp he roared off into the sunset at full throttle.

What are car enthusiasts going to do in the future when it is no longer necessary or possible to impress people with a noisy muffler?

 

[kiev]

That's the most fun about driving Electric -- the great low-end torque off the line.

 

[JoeS]

... and it's even more fun at the next light to just slowly pull out while the other guy roars off at full throttle attempting to regain his dignity. :twisted:

I didn't look at him and when the light turned green I floored it although I was only in Econo mode...

Fully-depressed accelerator performance is the same in D, Eco, and B.

 

[veimi]

Fully-depressed accelerator performance is the same in D, Eco, and B.

Thanks. Who knew, but it makes sense.

I was aware that the throttle profile is different in ECO mode at least, but it only makes sense to have full throttle the same in each mode.

 

[Don]

That's why I drive in 'B' 100% of the time - Same performance in the 'go mode' and max regen in the 'slow mode' :mrgreen:

Don

 

[JoeS]

Oh, and performance is better with a fully-charged battery - something I believe Consumer Reports neglected to do in their 0-60 testing (they were clueless on so many levels). While on this subject, it would sure be nice if someone could figure out a hack to remove that 1-2 second ramp-up delay after one stomps on the accelerator.

 

[RobbW]

While on this subject, it would sure be nice if someone could figure out a hack to remove that 1-2 second ramp-up delay after one stomps on the accelerator.

This is why I pretty much always roll my eyes whenever I see someone posting that they smoked such-and-such car off the line. Whatever! It's highly unlikely you're beating a tuned Porsche off the line with a driver chomping at the bit. If you did, in fact, beat them off the line, there was most likely some other explanation other than the "performance" of your i-MiEV. I assume the other driver was probably texting and didn't notice the green light for 4-5 seconds.

There have been VERY few instances where I've beaten another driver off the line. Those instances only included other drivers who were not expecting/anticipating a race off the line and were very late to the throttle, or other cars that looked/sounded like they'd probably cough up a lung if their drivers actually stomped on the go pedal! Anytime I was at the line with another vehicle that was ready and prepared to beat me out, I've pretty much always lost.

That 2-second ramp-up delay is a freaking killer to having any fun off the line!

 

[rkarl89203]

I beat people off the line a lot.
Of course i am not afraid of leaving the cars usual range either.

I refuse to put down the performance of this fine EV.
Just completed a 5,900 mile trip in it and beat quite a few folks off the line.

But to each his own.

 

[RobbW]

I used to beat people off the line, too, and frequently. However, it was never other drivers who were ready for a race, paying attention to the light, and reacting with precision timing. I had alert soccer moms in Toyota Camrys beat me off the line. I'm just saying that in most of my experiences at stoplights, the times I have handily beaten other drivers off the line is when they weren't expecting a race and weren't putting up a fight.

And after four years of driving my Meepster, I'm not really interested in racing anyone anymore anyway. Let 'em whoop me in the other lane. These days, I'd rather conserve my energy and extend my range. I don't really have anything to prove. Besides, while beating an ICE off the line may be initially satisfying, I then start to feel guilty when I realize I just encouraged another driver to burn a crap-ton more fossil fuel than was necessary. And for what? Vanity?! The whole reason I'm driving an EV is to conserve energy, reduce my carbon footprint, reduce fossil fuel use, and be a champion of cleaner energy. It would be very hypocritical of me to encourage ICE drivers to waste fuel racing my little bug at stoplights!

 

[Aerowhatt]

There have been VERY few instances where I've beaten another driver off the line. Those instances only included other drivers who were not expecting/anticipating a race off the line and were very late to the throttle, or other cars that looked/sounded like they'd probably cough up a lung if their drivers actually stomped on the go pedal! Anytime I was at the line with another vehicle that was ready and prepared to beat me out, I've pretty much always lost.

That 2-second ramp-up delay is a freaking killer to having any fun off the line!

In two years (plus) of driving the i-MiEV I have had seven front row off the line contests with other vehicles where it was definitely a two party participation event. How do I know this? Well they were next to me looking and expressing various levels of amusement at my car. The universal hand signal for (show me what you have got) was given and acknowledged. The i-MiEV beat them all to the speed limit (sometimes only by half a car length). Mostly late model "muscle" cars (Avenger, Firebird, Camaro) Presumably V6 equipped with auto transmissions. The i-MiEV is no slouch, in fact in it's class . . . it's a dominator. But it's real strength is not off the line but at speed in freeway traffic. I have out run BMW's, Audi's, Mercedes, you name it, maneuvering the freeway when they are cluelessly, or purposely, trying to slam the door on my desired slot. Haven't raced a Porsche but I have driven a number of them over the years. They are in general, more fast cars (good handling) than quick off the line cars.

A salient point to your critique is the example of a "tuned" Porsche. An i-MiEV is always perfectly tuned!

Aerowhatt

 

[RobbW]

In my daily commute to/from work, I get plenty of opportunities to race other drivers off the line. My daily commute probably accounts for 95% of all opportunities I've had for racing off the line. All these opportunities on my commute come at points where one lane ends a very short distance after the stoplight. Unfortunately, the distance to the merge point is usually juuuuuuuust shy of where the i-MiEV really comes into her sweet spot. That's why I say that 2-second ramp-up delay is a freaking fun killer! If I had immediate and full power to the wheels, or just a little bit more distance to the merge point, I'd probably have better luck.

It's very likely that other i-MiEV drivers who post about smoking ICE cars off the line just drive in environments that are more conducive to showcasing the i-MiEV's strengths. In my usual experience, the conditions are unfavorable, and I mostly get smoked myself. So, I've given up and stopped trying. I've instead resigned myself to demonstrating responsible, efficient driving.

 

[rkarl89203]

Understand, RobbW.
Understand.

 

[veimi]

The guy that I "beat" had a multi racing-colored Porsche with advertising decals and a very loud muffler.

I don't know whether he knew that I was going to floor it and he may not have been ready, but from the sound of his engine and his shifting he sure tried very hard to catch up.

 

[RobbW]

Understand, RobbW.
Understand.

BTW, I started reading the thread on your Rt. 66 journey yesterday. I'm only about halfway through all the pages. You just got out to Cali where I left off last. I just want to say that I am thoroughly impressed with your journey. It takes a lot of guts and planning to embark on that kind of adventure in our i-MiEVs. Cudos to you! I doubt I would be so daring. I also wouldn't have the time to do it, either, but that's beside the point! I'm just completely in awe that you were able to drive all the way out to Cali in the i-MiEV. Holy cow!!!!!!

 

[rkarl89203]

It was a challenge...thats for sure.