[leetcrew]

the model s with the performance characteristics you mention starts around $90k (or $110 with ludicrous mode option). at this level you can start getting into 911s, BMW m4/m5, or the highest trim American muscle cars. these cars have comparable acceleration figures to the performance model s and the sports cars will thrash it in any situation that doesn't involve 0-60 in a straight line.

edit: I reread your post and realized you are talking about midsize sedans and larger. Mercedes amg e63 is a better counterexample. most of the cars I mentioned don't have 700hp either, but you don't need it when you start with a 500-1000 lb weight advantage.

[taneq]

Part of the discrepancy is also that I'm from the Australian car market and our prices for fast cars are insane compared with the U.S. so my baseline is skewed. :/

Also a P3D is much cheaper for similar price (https://forums.tesla.com/forum/forums/p3d-base-price), and the 3.3s 0-100 mentioned was for a P3D+ not a S100D.

[leetcrew]

oh okay, I shouldn't assume everyone can buy cars at the US price. still if you move down to BMW m3 or amg c63, price and performance are comparable to p3d+ (though the Tesla does have a 0.3 - 0.7 lead in straight line acceleration).

I think your point still has some merit though. it could be that fast and quiet EVs don't provide as much sensory feedback to say "hey guy, you're actually going really fast". it could also be that people who are not usually interested in performance ICE vehicles might go for a performance EV for the novelty.