Tesla's ‘computer on wheels’

As well as its Model S, which the car manufacturer claims is ‘the best car in the world’ (sic), Tesla has produced an object straight out of Silicon Valley whose architecture is more like a portable electronic device than a car in the traditional sense of the word. Nothing has been overlooked in this model inspired by the Smartphone and the tablet, from its electrical design, its system architecture and especially the continuation of the user-experience. The result is a car whose attractiveness comes from specific features (such as the mechanical performance) and the enchantment of the driving experience it promises, rather than rational, technical and economic elements. It represents the best possible combination of the electronic and automobile worlds. This achievement owes a great deal to Tesla’s co-founder Elon Musk and its corporate culture which, like many start-ups, has its share of pros and cons. Will this culture survive a change of scale?