After a brief period of
unofficial officialness this morning,
Tesla has rolled out the
Model S to a sea of eager photographers. The company's also revealed specs for the EV: this seven-seater can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, boasts a top speed of 120 MPH, features a dashboard display and a 17-inch main touchscreen monitor. It's fully 3G capable, sports HD and satellite radio, uses LED and neon exterior lights, smart-key power, and push button gear selector. While
that $49,900 base price will get you a battery that's good for 160 miles per charge, 230-mile and 300-mile range packs will be available. On a 220V outlet, the company says it'll charge in four hours with a 45 minute "QuickCharge" option, and you should be able to swap batteries if necessary in under 8 minutes. Excited? Find a way to control yourself, this baby isn't going into production in Q3 2011. Check out a brief glimpse of the interior after the break.
posted March 26th 2009 5:51PM
Very intriguing. I like Tesla motors. They seem way ahead of their time. Though I'm concerned about the LCD displays they use as dashboard. Wouldn't they use significantly more energy than a traditional dashboard? They should have waited until OLED technology became cheaper, that would have used a lot less energy.
It's a lot of energy, compared to, say, knobs and buttons.
It's negligible compared to, you know, a giant electric motor of doom.
This is my car of choice!
Beautiful.
Unfortunately this car doesn't pass the smell test:
Point number 1: This car is well over two years away. Realistically, probably three.
Point number 2: That interior will never fly on a production car. I won't knock the fit and finish because it's obviously an early prototype, but I'm hoping they refine the overall design because those air vents are too small.
Most importantly, number 3: Prototypes are a lot easier to build than production automobiles. Getting a car 90% correct is easy to do and relatively inexpensive. It's that remaining 10% that turns that rough-around-the-edges prototype into a properly sorted vehicle that is durable, safe, and easy to own. This is what separates the boutique companies from the mainline manufacturers.
I think that if Tesla can actually make this vehicle as it is described then they will have a winner on their hands, and I'll even back that statement up with my checkbook. I think it's gorgeous, and the drivetrain is just an added bonus. But, realistically, that is a mighty big 'if'.
50+K and I'm suppose to change the frickin battery? Are you on crack? 4 hours to recharge? 220 volts where? 80 mile radius? So basically they want me to drop 50k on a mall car. Guess they figure you'll rent a real car if you need to go someplace out of mr. rodgers neighborhood.
It's a clone of the Italian Maserati Granturismo take a look here: http://www.newstreet.it/foto/gallery/1329/maserati-granturismo-01_640.jpg
Ferrari group will do something, I'm sure!
Where can I get those cool 'jet fan' rims for my Prius?
It's not just uncovered it's on the road. I saw one of these on Central Expy. between Bowers and San Thomas today in Santa Clara, CA.
I didn't recognize the metal logo but made note and it was this Tesla.
You guys really need to spruce up your editing staff...
"The car is big enough to carry five adults and fit two children in rear-facing seats in the trunk." - from NYTimes.
It is a Hatchback.
Read the full article - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/technology/start-ups/27tesla.html?hpw
The article continues ... "The Model S, which Tesla says would be the first mass-manufactured all-electric car, will cost $57,400, or $49,900 after tax credits. Mr. Musk said that, when gas savings are taken into account, buying a Model S will be comparable to buying a $35,000 Ford Taurus."
If they would make it available for this price in Spain I will buy it directly.
fap fap fap fap fap
Is noone impressed with the LCD display that everyone called 'fake' yesterday?
I'm starting to save today.
american cars suck. even this one.
production starts in 2011 gimmie a break that means not in the showroom till almost 2012 for 50k
they better get a move on it 3 years somethin better will come along for cheaper
swappable batteries. mmmmmmm.
still got a ways to go though.