Tesla Model S Revealed

[tinrobot]

This car looks interesting and may be a peek at the future of EVs. Prices are coming down, ranges are increasing and charge times also getting quicker. It will be interesting to see what their third generation cars will look like.

From Autoblog Green

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/26/tesla-model-s-50-000-ev-sedan-seats-seven-300-mile-range-0-6/

We have just listened to the panjandrum Elon Musk and the car's designer speak about the new Tesla S sedan, and these are the things to know about the first mass-produced highway-capable electric car: production will ramp up to 20,000 units annually by the end of the first year of production; after the $7,500 tax break, the Model S will start at just under $50,000 – $49,900 to be exact; and 440-volt charging will be available. That base price is for the 160-mile range pack; a 230-mile range pack and a 300-mile range pack will also be available.

Some other fast facts:

* The car fits seven people and their luggage: five adults and two children in rear-facing seats under the hatch inside, with luggage in the boot up front.
* If not people, it can fit a mountain bike with its wheels still on, a surfboard and a 50-inch television at the same time.
* The dashboard screens were installed to rid the interior of buttons. The 17-inch main display is fully 3G and Internet capable.
* The 300-mile range is possible (vs the Roadster's 244-mile range) because the S has 8,000 battery cells vs. 6,000 in the Roadster, the batteries have been improved in mass and volumetric performance, and there is more advanced cell chemistry in each cell, and the S has a cd of about .27 vs. the Roadster's drag coefficient of .35.
* On a 220V outlet, the car can be recharged in 4 hours.
* Option packages are being decided, with the only initial option being the battery pack. Customers will also be able to buy the 160-mile pack and rent the long range pack for a trip.
* They are finalizing the warranty, and expect it to be 3-4 years for the car and 7-10 years for the battery pack. They expect replacement battery packs to come in at "well under $5000" according to Elon.

[sakabatou]

1. This is the kind of stuff I'd buy

if I had the money.

[excess_3]

2. who makes the body? n/t

[Nihil]

4. "Designed by Franz von Holzhausen" but presumably "made" by Tesla ...?

Nice to see that they're doing a right-hand drive version!
(Not that I'm in the market for one but it's nice to see it :-) )

Let's see what the world looks like in 2011/2012 - there are so many
possibilities at the moment and many are incompatible ...

[excess_3]

5. Tesla Roadster's body is made by Lotus of England

the body is 90% a Lotus 'Elise"(spelling?)

I find it hard to believe Tesla
would make the body for their sedan

just curious

[comtec]

3. DAYUM!

That is nearly affordable, and practical.
Of course, i wonder how much MORE range you get when you turn OFF all the superfluous toys like the 17" touch screen.

but 50k is still way out of my price range.

I think i'll wait for the SMART hybrid/electric over here that comes out next year.

I'm in holland, really, I can cross the country TWICE on the tesla's mid range pack.

[tinrobot]

6. It is a little expensive... but factor in gasoline saved.

If gas went back up to 4 bucks a gallon, it might be worthwhile...

15,000 miles at 25mpg = 600 gallons. At $4.00 per gallon, it's $2400 per year.

Divide that up on a monthly basis, you could get a few hundred extra that could be put towards the additional car payment.