Tesla Taxi

Hey, this is Damon Lavrinc with Wired

and this is Konstantin Othmer.

More importantly, this is Konstantin Othmer's Tesla Model S.

What we're gonna today is put the Model S

through a slightly different kind of test.

We've downloaded the Sidecar App

and we're gonna pick up people

that need rides in San Francisco

and drop them off and get their impressions on the car,

and see how the Model S holds up to it.

(energetic rock music)

Hey, hey, hey!

How's it going, man?

You looking for Sidecar?

We're gonna be filming you guys,

but mainly, just using this gentleman's Model S.

This is Konsantin, by the way.

Hey, guys.

Which series Tesla is this ride?

It's a Model S, it's one of the Founder Series.

So why are you driving for Sidecar?

Gotta make payments, dude,

what do you think?

(group laughs)

God! (laughs)

I personally like Sidecar 'cause you actually,

like, get real people.

Right, right, right.

Driving you around

and, you know, you sit in the front seat.

Usually. (laughing)

I was gonna say, one of the rare times.

If everybody had Teslas, then Sidecar would be sweet.

(group laughs)

So I get this ride is on the house, huh?

Oh come on, man!

I know, I know.

'kay, I rated him.

Gotcha.

Even though he threatened not to pay,

I gave him a 5-star rating.

Okay, off we go.

(upbeat rock music)

So this is their second car.

They came out with a Roadster first,

and now they're actually making an honest to God

vehicle that can carry five people, obviously.

Yeah! Mhm!

And a cooler, and some champagne.

All the party accessories that go along with this.

And the front's empty!

And yeah, we still have room in the front.

We did wonder a little.

I was like, if this someone could afford

to drive a Tesla, why are they...

That's right, so you guys can actually

see the vehicle you're gonna get picked up in.

Yeah! On the app.

That's cool.

Can you pick what vehicle, can you look down

and say, no I don't want to be in that AMC Pacer,

but I'll definitely take the--

Tesla.

This it right here? Right here.

That's great, perfect! Right here.

Can I get a picture with the car?

Yeah, absolutely.

Hey, is this Michael?

[Michael] Yeah.

Michael, this is your Sidecar ride,

how many people in your crew?

[Michael] Just me in Sidecar.

Just you?

Alright, we will be there in about seven minutes

according to our navigation system.

So what else is this display thing you got here?

So you've got full web browser.

Absolutely ginormous.

You completely enable and everything?

The only thing it doesn't do is videos.

There's probably a good reason for that.

There, yeah, there is a very good reason for that.

Flash's disabled. I mean, as much as that

sucks in traffic, it is what it is, you know?

Thanks. Awesome!

Have a good one! Very nice to meet you.

Please enjoy, thanks for the ride!

Hey, thanks a lot for being here, man!

Love your car.