We review the Tesla Model S P85+ from price to economy and all its features

THE Tesla Model S is a car without compromise. It’s quicker off the line than a Porsche 911, has a 300-mile range and is as clever as an Apple.

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And being 100 per cent electric, it’s carbon neutral so the world will love you too. I tested one of the first right hand drive models.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

It’s big, it’s heavy but don’t be put off by America’s love of all things super-sized. The Model S is a very cool car. It’s stylish, spacious with 5+2 seating and it’s all controlled from a 17in touchscreen that stands out like a plasma TV in a bedsit.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

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Super-sized … huge seven-seater Tesla

It’s quick. Very quick. I like electric cars for their instant torque and smooth power delivery and this baby does 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. And of course there’s no gears, so you can’t stall it setting off!

The Model S weighs two tonnes – the floor is made up of 7,000 lithium batteries – but that gives it incredible strength (it actually broke the crash-testing machine).

Added to the low centre of gravity, the bulk also gives it high-speed stability and reduces body roll.

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Top up… free Tesla Supercharger for Model S owners

You can alter the suspension, steering mode (comfort/sport) and traction control from the touchscreen and the regenerative brakes are so good you hardly need to touch the pedal to slow down.

Range anxiety? Pah! Even the cheapest Model S at £49,900 with the 60kWh battery has a 240-mile range – more than double the distance of other electric cars. The 85kWh battery with a 312-mile range starts at £57,300.

I tested the P85+ performance version with a high capacity inverter for even quicker acceleration, bigger wheels and tyres. It felt odd stopping at a fuel station – just to buy a coffee.

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WHAT'S IT LIKE INSIDE?

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Kitted-up … swipe and pinch tablet

It’s only got two buttons on the dashboard – for the hazard lights and glove box. Virtually everything else is on the console which you swipe and pinch like an iPad.

You can even split the screen for 3G Google mapping, music, internet, rear-view camera, phone and driver controls – and the sunroof opens at the swipe of your finger. I told you it was cool.

The 3G Google mapping is backed up by the hard drive if you drop out of range.

There’s acres of space including a huge tray where you have the transmission tunnel in a normal car. It’s big enough for handbags, drinks, phones, wallets, you name it.

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Acres of space … kids love extra seats in boot

My smaller kids loved the rear-facing seats in the boot which also swallowed up my teenage son’s Tour golf bag and trolley.

Then there the frunk – trunk in the front, there’s no engine, remember – which will take a trolley-load of shopping.

VERDICT: This car is the future. When Tesla crack 500 miles, make cheaper cars and flood the UK with free charging stations, everyone will want one.