Tesla planting electric engines into two Toyota prototype bodies

Word on the street had it that Tesla's $50 million deal with Toyota wasn't formal back in late May, but evidently things have made positive progress since. According to a new (though admittedly brief) report over at CNN, Toyota is currently working with the electric automaker on a pair of prototype vehicles. As the story goes, Tesla will be delivering two prototypes to Toyota "by the end of the month," with the vehicles using "Tesla's electric motors and battery packs and the bodies of Toyota vehicles." Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel has been quoted as saying that the two outfits have "made a lot of progress in a short amount of time," and we couldn't be more excited to see what kind of results will come from this tie-up. We can't help but hope that those regenerative brakes do a bit more than regenerate, though. Sorry, we had to. Really.

[doog Posted Jul 10th 2010 11:55PM]

Those are motors, not engines. Yes, there is a difference.

[koneill Posted Jul 11th 2010 12:34AM]

Not sure I'd prefer exploding batteries to broken valve springs...

[Kazmo Posted Jul 11th 2010 12:39AM]

Am I the only one that thinks this is awesome? Guess so. I like everything about the Model S except how it looks... So just put a different body on it and I'm sold!

[roccoz Posted Jul 11th 2010 1:43AM]

Toyota continues to stay lightyears ahead of the competition...

[Rinum009 Posted Jul 11th 2010 3:03AM]

If by light years you mean speeding 90mph down the highway then yeah there "ahead of the competition"

[Shooter McGavin Posted Jul 11th 2010 1:50AM]

@okok only Apple Fanboys bought i

Why should we care what the local idiot has to say?

[A25i Posted Jul 11th 2010 2:35AM]

HI! :)

[shishi Posted Jul 11th 2010 2:37AM]

Tesla + Toyota = Win

[T0astedP0Ptart Posted Jul 11th 2010 2:58AM]

Looks like Tesla will be upping their game, improving technology perhaps? most likely. However this technology is completely useless when there is no way of recharging while on the road.

[slipdisc Posted Jul 11th 2010 4:30AM]

Electric engine? No such thing as an electric engine. Electric motor yes, but not engine.

Perhaps you meant its being planted in the "engine compartment"?

[Officer Posted Jul 11th 2010 5:45AM]

We don't care about cars. Give us an iPhone vs Android debate !

[substance90 Posted Jul 11th 2010 10:33AM]

OMG, Americans really should be banned from posting comments under car posts. I seriously mean that!

[Shooter McGavin Posted Jul 11th 2010 8:14PM]

@substance90

Hey now, not all of us are idiots.

[Sir Pops Alot Posted Jul 11th 2010 1:18PM]

I hope one of those prototypes is the return of the Toyota Supra.

[bufbarnaby Posted Jul 11th 2010 5:02PM]

Long extension cords.