Tesla Model S: Toyota Partnership Brings NUMMI Into the Picture

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YSSMAN

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So, we all know about the Tesla Roadster, the rather-cool sports coupe that runs exclusively on electric power. But, Elon Musk and the folks at Tesla have their next model waiting in the wings, the Tesla Model S.

What we know:
  • Should Retail for $50,000
  • Full-size sport sedan
  • All electric power, like the Roadster

What we don't know is what it will look like, but there have been teasers here and there...

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New today, Kevin Rose leaked some photos that were sent to him by folks at Tesla:

** EDIT **

Photos removed on Kevin Rose's flickr page

Hmmm. Interesting.

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The Official Stuff Happened Here

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What We Officially Know

  • Still priced at $50,000 USD
  • 300 Mile Range
  • 0-60 MPH in 5.5 Seconds
  • Seats Seven (five adults, two "kids seats)

JUST AWESOME
 
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A little plain, but kind of pulling off the simplicity. Damn elegant. I wonder if Russell Carr/Steve Crijins at Lotus did this one up too, or was their deal exclusive to the Roadster (things I should know: this question).
 
After a little poking around, it looks to be a bespoke chassis, but who knows who did the design. An interesting fact I also spotted was that current Roadster owners get a 10,000$ discount if they wish to purchase a Model S. And this midsection is cleeaan:

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I wouldn't say the Tesla S would be any different in performance...and it doesn't look like that's the case, either.
 
It looks a bit Pontiac-y in the back, but i kinda like it.

What's going on with that in-dash screen?
 
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MEH.

Yeah, sure, I guess it's some big step forward for electric...but I'm none too enthusiastic.

Liking what's likely to ba a touch-screen center stack, though. I had that idea for a sci-fi fighter not too long ago...
 
Brad, your pics aren't working.

I like it a lot though. It'll be a cool car to see on the streets eventually. And that interior looks really nice. And I'm sure it will be until the electronics there start going funny.
 
Apparently it seats 7. Any ideas how that works? I can't find any pictures or diagrams of the interior other than the front seats.
 
Looks pretty cool actually. I like it. I just don't know if I'll get used to not hearing a petrol engine note.
 
Philly
Brad, your pics aren't working.
Click to expand...

Funny thing happened, Kevin Rose got a phone call from Tesla asking him to take the pictures down. I'm surprised that he did. Anyway, by the time that happened, thanks in part to Twitter and the internet, the pictures were everywhere. Too bad!

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Check This Dash Out

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So awesome. Seriously.
 
I feel a trip to their Palo Alto showroom coming on! ;)
I'd no idea there was one there until I passed on the way into Stanford Uni the other day! :dunce:
 
Me like. Except for the grille. And somebody please tell their GUI designer that ALL-CAPS ITALIC CONDENSED does not good typography make.
 
For $50,000, I like what I'm seeing on every level. I bet the finance payments on them aren't pretty, though.
 
YSSMAN
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There is WAY too much stuff going on there. It does look nice, but it's hard to figure out what's what looking at the pictures, let alone trying to deal with traffic at the same time.

Has there been any word on whether or not owners will be able to tweak the appearance of the display? Because I think that would be the single biggest advantage to an electric center console, and it would be a shame to see that go to waste.
 
Poor kids. Riding in the "jump seat" in the back of a station wagon was always fun. I can't see how any kid would enjoy constantly having to ride in the trunk like any other piece of luggage.

The pictures on Jalopnik show just a regular old truck though...
 
Philly
Has there been any word on whether or not owners will be able to tweak the appearance of the display? Because I think that would be the single biggest advantage to an electric center console, and it would be a shame to see that go to waste.
Click to expand...

I would guess that Musk would demand it as such. No word on what the system is based on, as far as I can tell, but I'm sure that it would be completely customizable by any customer.

The big deal here is that, in general, selling a $50K full-size sedan that runs on full electric power is a far more marketable idea by comparison to the Roadster, and at that price, its far more "accessible" to a larger contingent of people. Getting really into the nitty-gritty, its debatable to say that it undercuts the Chevrolet Volt - before its even on the market. The $10K price difference may keep them separated by a fair amount, but by getting more luxury and a bit more tech at a fairly similar price (plus the full-electric power), the Model S seems to make more sense.
 
I got an email from Tesla motors today

Model S is here!

Just moments ago, we took the wraps off the Model S, an all electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels 300 miles per charge. We also launched a web site and began taking orders for this historic vehicle, which will likely be world's first mass-produced, highway-capable EV.

The Model S, which carries its charger onboard, can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes. By recharging their car while they stop for a meal, drivers can go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car. Moreover, the floor-mounted battery pack is designed to be changed out in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank, allowing for the possibility of battery-pack swap stations.

The floor-mounted powertrain also results in unparalleled cargo room and versatility, as the volume under the front hood becomes a second trunk. Combining that with a four-bar linkage hatchback rear trunk and flat folding rear seats, the Model S can accommodate a 50-inch television, mountain bike *and* surfboard simultaneously. This packaging efficiency gives the Model S more trunk space than any other sedan on the market and more than most SUVs.

"Model S doesn't compromise on performance, efficiency or utility -- it's truly the only car you need," said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "Tesla is relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicle technology, and this is just the first of many mainstream cars we're developing."

Tesla expects to start Model S production in late 2011. The company believes it is close to receiving $350 million in federal loans to build the Model S assembly plant in California from the Dept of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.

Building on Proven Technology

Tesla is the only production automaker already selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as gas guzzlers and delivers 244 miles per charge. Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and nearly 1,000 more customers are on the waitlist.

Teslas do not require routine oil changes, and they have far fewer moving (and breakable) parts than internal combustion engine vehicles. They qualify for federal and state tax credits, rebates, sales tax exemptions, free parking, commuter-lane passes and other perks. Model S costs roughly $5 to drive 230 miles – a bargain even if gasoline were $1 per gallon.

The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. The company has not released options pricing. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge.

But the anticipated sticker price doesn't tell the full story. Model S costs half as much as a Roadster, and it's a better value than much cheaper cars. The ownership cost of Model S, if you were to lease and then account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of $4 per gallon, is similar to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $35,000. That's why we're positive this car will be the preferred choice of savvy consumers.

The standard Model S does 0-60 mph in under six seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph, with sport versions expected to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration well below five seconds. A single-speed gearbox delivers effortless acceleration and responsive handling. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity allows passengers to listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check their state of charge remotely from their iPhone or laptop.

Tesla is taking reservations online and at showrooms in California. Tesla will open a store in Chicago this spring and plans to open stores in London, New York, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC and Munich later this year.

We're certain you'll be hearing a lot more about Tesla in the weeks and months ahead, and we look forward to seeing you at the stores we're opening soon!

Elon

Tesla Motors
1050 Bing Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
United States
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Really impressed Tesla 👍

An electric car I would want to buy, it looks fantastic. Hope the production model looks nearly as good.
 
All I can say is

gfhdfjhdfyjdtyjdghjdghjhdtuhsrtuhrt6uyw5463when can I get one.
 
I dare anyone say this car looks terrible. This car looks fantastic. It reminds me of a Maserati. But unlike most Maseratis, this is a lovely design. Or for a stranger dichotomy(?), this is more like Maserati meets Buick (design-wise) I heard of this car from Fast Lane Daily ( http://www.youtube.com/FastLaneDaily ). I find beauty in simplicity. There's nothing in-your-face about Tesla. Then again, when was anything electric or so considered in-your-face? I heard of some kind of tax break that could put this car at around $50K. You're still paying some mid-level sports car money or fairly decent luxury car money for this. Funny enough, I saw "Top Gear" this past weekend with the Tesla Roadster around the Top Gear test track. Wonder what the Stig could do in this car around that track while listening to Morse Code...
 
Looks great, but I'd NOT want to be in one when/if it catches fire...

especially if the firefighters try and use water on it. Lithium+water=Not good.
 
Looks absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. All the best bits from Jaguars, Maseratis, the current Tesla and just a hint of something new too.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next.
 

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