Tesla Model S Test Drive:

Tesla Model S Test Drive:

This week I was very lucky to have been invited to test drive one of these 100% electric luxury cars. I was very excited before hand and priced up my dream car specification on their website. 

On arrival we located the 2 cars plugged in to the EV charging points . (luckily we didn't need to charge Zoe).

After locating the Tesla staff and signing a waiver to drive the car we were shown around the cars. I was shocked at how much bigger it was than I had imagined. Also the boot was very big. This would easily have fit a few large suitcases. Also due to their being no engine there is a Frunk (Front Trunk) Again this had lots of space for shopping. I know its probably a gadgety thing, but I like how the door handles are built into the car doors, and on approach they slide out and appear. 

Then it was time to get inside. After fiddling with the many buttons and lining up my chair off we went. Inside of the car was very similarly styled to a Mercedes with a on steering wheel leaver for Park, Drive etc. One big difference was the 12” tablet screen in the middle of the dashboard. This was the source for navigation, heating, media, and driving modes. Also I liked the different personalised profiles that remembers your settings and adjusts your seat, mirrors and steering wheel on your arrival to the car. This was great for me as I'm 5ft2 and my husband is over 6ft tall. Therefore we both sit very differently in the car. At the touch of a button the vehicle changes around you for you.

Off to driving, The steering was on standard and was still very responsive. The drive was very similar to the feel of Zoe, Smooth and exciting. There are many settings for the driving style, during the test drive they kept this set on standard, there was the comfort setting and sports. I really wanted to see the difference but sadly not this time.

The car is larger than I am used to, as this was quite a large family car. However it didn't feel to big, I liked the reversing camera and sensors to help with parking.

I also asked about the speaker system, to which the model we were in had 12 speakers and inbuilt subwoofer. Supported and designed by dolby surround sound. I can safely say the system sounded very good. 

The Teslas charge from virtually anything, They can use the in house 3 pin plug. Beware this takes many hours. The type 2 connectors and the supercharger points which charge the mega miles in just 20 minutes. 

I do love Tesla as a brand and how the cars are handmade and have been passionately developed to be in my opinion the leaders with EV’s. I am glad to see that they are starting to arrive in the UK. I can safely say I really liked the car, I did go online and price up my ideal car I came out at £67,330. Therefore I think this is something I need to save up lots for and will be my one day car. 

To round up, the car is exciting, luxury, and EV market leading. I cannot wait to see how over the next couple of years how the brand keep themselves a step ahead of the market. And hopefully a smaller more affordable car within the range. 

Speak Soon

Nic

July Favourites:

July Favourites:

July has been a strange month, with lots of things happening all at once and then big gaps of time with nothing. I thought why not put a short post together to let you know all about it.

Favourite place visited: This month I had a few good days out. I loved the day at Wentworth garden centre. I liked how quite it was. But I think the top day this month was the day at Donnington Formula-e. It was an interesting day with lots to do and see.

http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/days-out-donington-race-track-formula-e.html

Favourite food: This month I discovered I like Pomegranate. With the warmer weather at the minute I have been enjoying lots of salads. I hate them being boring, therefore I have been trying to introduce new flavors to help keep my interest. I have now tried, Avocado, balsamic dressing and Pomegranates.

Favourite photo taken: This would be the image I took whilst at Wentworth Garden centre. I like how pretty and inviting the bench is. I know how long I was sat on it after this image was taken. 

http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/days-out-wentworth-garden-centre.html

Favourite Beauty product: This would be my Jergens Ultra Healing Body Moisturizer. This was featured in the Feb Favs video. I have recently been having a hard time with excama and this cream has worked wonders to get rid of this and give me soft skin. http://youtu.be/QxZiXpJTnH0

Achievement this month: I have just finished my First Aid course. I am the nominated first aider at work and needed to fulfill the course again. I am glad to have passed, especially when this time 3 people on my course failed. I am glad I have the knowledge, however I do not want to have to use it.

General - Aim for next month: 

I have been trying to do something everyday that makes me happy. I have been doing well I think with this. I want to keep this up as I can see a difference in my mood and general wellbeing. I may even do the 100 days of happiness tweets to keep track of this.

Goal for next month: I am training for my Race for life - by the end of august I want to be confident about running the full 5k at a decent pace. I would also like to have received more donations towards the cause.

http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/i-am-going-to-get-muddy-for-charity.html

Days out: Donington Race Track - Formula-E Testing day.

Days out: Donington Race Track - Formula-E Testing day.

I was lucky to get tickets to see one of the last testing days of the Formula E at their UK base before the start of the season in Beijing in a few months.

I have been a fan for traditional Formula One racing about 10 years ago. I never got to go and I wasn't too bothered either as I had heard a few bad things. 

Such as sitting around waiting for hours and only see something happen once every 3 minutes when they come across in-front of you. Also the noise, I am not the

best person when it comes to loud noises. I jump a mile at thunder and a balloon bursting.

As you are aware I am very proud to be an EV owner and driver and taking a sport I am interested in, advancing the technologies and making it more environmentally friendly was interesting to me. Therefore when I got the chance to go and find out more I was very excited. I was really excited to see another Renault Zoe actually registered and on the road. (up to now all we had seen were dealer demo cars) and then later in the day another one in the car park. We have gone 7 months not seeing another Zoe and then 2 in one day. Then much to my husbands delight he saw a right hand drive Tesla Model S parked right next to it. 

There are lots of statistics and information I could go on about but my highlights in a nutshell. The cars are engineered the same, same tires body etc. Therefore it is down to the computer tuning and the driver skill. I like this as no one team that can afford better gadgets have an unfair advantage. The cars are still very fast, A ‘normal’ formula one car would still have the speed advantage. But they have been racing years, and this is year one for formula-E. The noise, this was a strange one between our group I think we decided between, a loud remote controlled car and a a small jet engine. It was quite a whiney noise. 

One the day we all picked out favourite cars, I of course went for the shiny silver car of Virgin racing. The boys liked the matt black car that looked a cross between kit from Knight Rider and the Bat-mobile of team Trulli. I also liked having a few drivers that I knew who they were in the mix. 

After a coupe of hours watching from the grandstand everyone went on lunch and we got to go for a Pit Walk, this was a chance to get close to the cars and see the technology in the bays. This is also where I go some nice closer images.

After this we had our lunch and a walk up the hill to another vantage point. Through the day there were a few cars spin off and the safety car and crane were out. I guess this is part of the plan with the testing to get the drivers used to the cars.

After we had finished we had a look around the museum, (with our tickets we got 50% off entry making this £5) I think this was a good way to pass the time, but you wouldn't miss much if you decided not to go. There was a random war section at the beginning with tanks and old bikes, then it went on to race cars. There were lots of old cars and then through to modern cars. It was good to see how the aerodynamics have changed and the styling over the years. I then got to see a number of cars from back when I was watching Formula One in about 2000. Spotting the names of my favourite drivers and feeling like a child in a sweet shop.

I know there are only a few UK testing days left, but I would recommend going if you can. from going to this I am planning on following the Formula-E races. Now I just have to pick a team. With 2 UK teams to choose from I will see. I have a sneaky feeling it will be the Shiny Cars of Virgin Racing.

http://www.fiaformulae.com/en.aspx

http://www.donington-park.co.uk/

What do you think.

Nicola

New things: New Car

Over the last few months I have been looking into selling our second car and upgrading it. In theory there was nothing much wrong with the old car, It was getting on in years and a few things were niggling us about it. Therefore I thought time to look into changing it.

I have had bad experiences with cars and dealerships in the past. As I am the buyer and the name the finance goes in etc. I want to be the one the dealerships speak to when going to test drive etc. Usually the dealers wont speak to me and only speak to my husband. This annoys me very much. Another annoyance is that the dealers think they know what I want as soon as I go in. No I may not want the top of the range sports model car, but I may not want pink and shiny either.

I went to a number of local dealers, some of which were your usual salesey car garage, asking too many questions, taking way too long and not letting you even sit in a car.

Then I found Toyota, well this was a different experience altogether. I called on Friday and asked what the opening times were for sat to test drive the car. As my husband worked until late in an evening this would not be suitable. I was trying to rearrange a date that was suitable and was drawing a blank. The helpful sales may said no problem, can you pick the car up on sat afternoon and  then bring it back on the sunday. That way you can both drive the car and see what you think. This was a great idea. On the saturday I went to pick the keys up, I was literally 10 minutes signed 1 piece of paperwork got shown the car and off I went. Me and hubby drove the car and made a few decisions. The next day I went back to drop off the car, getting ready for a million questions and salesy pushy tactics. 

This was not the case, I simply sat down, he asked if we liked the car, and he showed me a few pre worked out figures on a new and nearly new car. He asked what I thought and off we went. I was very happy with all of the figures and decided to go ahead there and then.

This was when the fun began, I had been telling my husband we could not afford a new car right now and that now we had made the choice I would save some funds and buy in a few months. We I can say now this was a lie, I knew the maths and I was pretty sure before taking the car back that the deal was possible. This is when the suggestion was made to pick up the car on the very next day. This was a good plan, and helped with the surprise element. However caused me a problem, the car being part exchanged was the car my hubby takes to work. I arranged to collect him from work, so no problem.  I even got a bunch of flowers from the dealership to say thank you for the order.

To cut a long story short, I am now the happy owner of a Toyota Yaris Hybrid. My hubby had a very nice 5th anniversary present.

I will be completing a post of all about the car as I know a few people have asked for it. But as I have driven the car twice since it ws purchased, I think I need to know more about it, before I write it up.

Speak soon

Nic

5 Things of the week:

5 things:

I have recently been quite busy and have seen this idea from one of the lovely bloggers I follow. So here are 5 things I have done this week.

1: I have this week had a change at work in my day job, as my manager was off on her holidays leaving me in charge. Meaning a few later nights at work and more than usual on my mind in the day. Needless to say as a result I have been enjoying coming home, having tea and relaxing on the sofa with the TV. 

2: Communication, I have realised that sometimes people have things going on in their life and it is very appreciated when you can be a shoulder to lean on in a harder time. Of course I'm not going to name names, or discuss private matters. But I know I appreciate people who can be there when you need them. Hopefully they feel the same when they need me.

3: This week we have tackled the jungle that was the garden. Now I had mowed the grass about 4 weeks ago but due to other commitments had not done this again since. Well thats not a good idea as it took me twice as long as is still not finished. I shall today (as the sun is shining) go out and finish the garden this morning. As due to the bank holiday weekend I would like to go outside.

4: Food: after a few weeks of not eating very well I think I may be back on track. I have been trying really hard to eat fruit and vegetables. I have been feeling much better now that I have been eating correctly. I had not realised how much of an difference it made to you. I felt sluggish and tired all of the time. I think it has given me a wake up call to look after myself a little more.

5: Planning: I am trying to make plans rather than just float around on my day off and have nothing to show for time. I am currently trying to have trips out and plan a holiday for the summer. I hate it when my partner comes in from work and says so what have you done today? and my answer is .. nothing. No wonder days and months fly by, But its not a good thing to have nothing to show for it. What do you do with your time off?

10 Things you didn't know about me:

10 Things about me: (and 2 you probably did)

Where do I live:

I live in Doncaster, South Yorkshire

How old am I:

I am 27 (just)

Where did I go to school:

I went to school in Doncaster and University at Staffordshire (stafford campus)

Where do I work:

I am a warehouse manager at an online furniture company based in Doncaster. I also have my own photography business that covers weddings, studio photography and corporate photography.

What car do I drive:

I answered this in a recent blog: I drive a 100% electric Renault Zoe

http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/have-you-met-zoe-i-love-her-very-much.html

Are you in a relationship:

Yes I am married and have been for around 5 years, I went to 6th form and university with my husband so we have been together for what seems like forever.

What is your favourite food:

I have to be careful with what I eat as I am coeliac, I love Chinese food but I cannot just go to the chinese as usual and have to make it at home which takes away the sparkle. Therefore my safe favourite is a good steak and chips - (http://nicolasnewthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/about-me-im-coeliac-and-what-that-means.html)

What is your favourite beauty product:

May favourite thing ever is perfume, I love love love, D&G the one. I would safely say this is what I always smell of.

What is your favourite home product:

I love candles, At present my favourite is my Partylite jar in Iced Snowberrys. It has a very fresh and clean smell, which is not too overpowering. 

What is your favourite electronic:

This is a though one for me as I do love my gadgets. From my I-pad, to my phone (nexus 4), to my car, to my camera and lenses and many more things besides. I would class myself as a gadget lover. 

I think ..... the award goes to ...... my Canon 650D (and the lenses to match of course)

Where is your favourite place you have visited:

I have been very lucky to have visited a number of countries. The best holiday I have been on as a whole was one big surprise by my husband. It was kind of a late honeymoon but I knew nothing of the location for nearly 2 years. We went to Singapore via a stop off in Dubai. This was amazing and the country is so beautiful to visit. I don't understand how many people just stop off here and never leave the airport. I would love to go back again, we spent 10 days here and we did not see everything.

Who are your favourite bloggers:

I do have a few, from the famous to the not so famous.

I do love Tanya Burr and her style and the way she is so effortless. Also I love Louise - Sprinkle of glitter and how down to earth and real she is.

I also love to read from http://wonderfullyrandom.blogspot.co.uk/ this is one of my school friends Kiri. She has a lovely baby son and she is a very keen baker she always shares something insightful.

And my home and beauty go to guru: http://lucyywrites01.blogspot.co.uk/

This girl is Coeliac like me and loves to bake, she knows home style and is a beauty guru. I have on many occasions direct messaged her with beauty problems and she always responds to me.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me more.

Speak soon

Nicola 

x

Have you met Zoe? I love her very much.

I drive an Electric car.

So I own a lovely White shiny Renault Zoe. This is a 100% Electric car. I shall apologies now is if I call the car she, she is part of the family and we love her.

It too a lot of patience to get her but now we have her I wouldn't look back. 

What is different about an electric car. Well it is powered by electric and not petrol, therefore I have to plug it in to get mileage. We have a charger in our garage and also use chargers when out and about such as a supermarkets or motorway service stations.

We get around 80 miles distance in the winter and around 100 miles in the summer. I know this would not suit everyone but me and my husband have a less than 20 mile return commute to work. We also combine charging the car with the use of our solar panels.

A normal home charge takes around 3 hours and costs about £2.50. Therefore the cost is about 4p a mile. I do not know of any other vehicles that can match anywhere near that. We have also started using the Superchargers at our local services and these are free to use, are powered by sustainable electricity and take around 30 minutes.

Also she is a joy to drive, Before we go this car my husband would automatically walk to the drivers side of the car as I would never voluntarily drive anywhere. Now we argue who is driving and usually resort to one there and the other back. She is silent to drive and usually you can only hear her if the radio is on inside the car or we have the heater on to keep warm. The car is automatic and the smoothest drive I know.

The car is classed as being a super mini, but is spacious on the inside. The boot is quite large to and can fit in a wheelchair and shopping besides. The seating is comfy and firm and the leg room is better than our old car.

Yes we do have the second car that is a petrol car, but I can honestly say since we took delivery of Zoë in September we have put petrol in this twice. That car is only for use when we have more than an 80 mile trip, or where we are going do not have chargers. 

We are even planning a holiday to Cornwall this year and we shall be taking Zoë. and staying in a cottage where there is a charger.

I do understand that this type of car is not for everyone, and that Zoe is suitable for my lifestyle. There is a great community of EV car drivers and I am very proud of being one of those people.

There are a number of Ev cars on the market and over the years to come there will be many more no doubt. My aim is one day to be a Tesla car driver but right now I love my Renault Zoe.