Revealed: Tesla Model S

[Intrepidation]

Tesla Model S: $50,000 EV sedan seats seven, 300-mile range, 0-60 in 5.5s

It's been a long and difficult road, but Tesla Motors has made it to unveiling No. 2. After a lot of hype and delivery of 250 Tesla Roadsters, the company's Model S was unveiled today in Hawthorne, California. Tesla was incredibly careful about not leaking a lot of information before today – designing the Model S at a high-security rocket facility helped with that, but we still got a peek a few hours ago – and now that it's here, we love what we see. As for new information on the Tesla For The Rest Of Us (sort of), follow the jump for all the details and check out the gallery of high res photos below.

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.
• The quickness: the standard S will get to 60 in 5.5 to 6.0 seconds. A coming sport version will get to 60 in "well under five seconds," Musk says.
• The car will get a single-speed transmission.
• The body panels and chassis will be primarily aluminum, with a total weight of just over 4,000 pounds, about 1,200 pounds of that being battery mass.
• For infrastructure, Tesla is working with a government-affiliated partner to set up battery changing stations at various locations. They will be able to change the battery in 5-8 minutes, "quicker than filling up your car with gas."

According to Tesla's numbers, buying a Tesla S will save you $10-$15K vs a comparably priced gas-powered sedan when gas is $4 per gallon. For an equivalent comparison, you'd have to lease a $35,000 gas-powered car. The biggest hitch: the car doesn't go into production until Q3 of 2011.

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PRESS RELEASE

At a Glance: Production Model S

With a 300-mile range and 45-minute QuickCharge, the $49,900 Model S can carry five adults and two children in quiet comfort – and you can charge it from any outlet, without ever stopping for gas. World's first mass-produced electric vehicle offers performance, efficiency and unrivaled utility with twice the energy-efficiency of hybrids, making Model S the only car you'll ever need.

Convenience and utility bullet points:

• Up to 300-mile range

• 45-minute QuickCharge

• 5-minute battery swap

• Charges from 110V, 220V or 440V

• Seating for 5 adults + 2 child seats

• Unique hatch for oversized items

• 60/40 flat-folding rear seat

• 2nd trunk under hood

• EPA Roominess Index 121.6

• More room than station wagons

• 17-inch infotainment touchscreen

• 3G wireless connectivity

Model S powertrain includes a liquid-cooled 9-inch motor, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity -- no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Model S costs as little as $4 to fully charge – a bargain even if gasoline dropped to $1 per gallon. You can have affordable fun while being socially responsible.

Technical specs:

• 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds

• ¼ mile in 14 seconds

• 120 mph top speed

• Braking 60-0 mph 135 feet

• 42 kWh battery storage system standard

• 70 kWh and greater battery storage systems optional

• 9- inch liquid cooled electric motor

• Single-speed transaxle gearbox

• Curb Weight 3825 lbs

• Overall Length 196"

• Wheelbase 116.5"

• All-wheel-drive available (option available in future production models)

• Right hand drive available

At a Glance: Model S Show Car

The Model S Show Car is a drivable vehicle that exemplifies Tesla's "no compromises" philosophy – an elegantly refined luxury sedan delivering optimal performance without sacrificing efficiency. Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, the car's aggressive stance gives way to a modern silhouette, with minimal front and rear overhangs for maximum space efficiency. The car's mature face defines the future of the Tesla brand and incorporates the touches from the Tesla Roadster. Environmentally friendly materials are incorporated throughout, including water-based paint for the exterior, chrome-free vegetable tanned Italian leather on interior, and 100 percent recycled PET carpeting from Futuris.

Other details:

• Panoramic roof with sliding moon roof

• Retracting door handles for improved aerodynamics

• Full-time 3G connectivity with Internet, HD and satellite radio

• Push button "gear" selector

• Brembo brakes

• Automatic rear lift gate

• 21-inch wheels, Front Tires 245/35ZR21, Rear Tires 285/30ZR21

• 17-inch haptic touchscreen and customizable vehicle information display

• Fully digital instrument cluster

• LED and neon headlight and taillights, with xenon Hella low beams

• Smart-key power and push button gear selector

• Brembo brake system with new one-piece monobloc calipers and integral stiffening bridge to optimize performance

Front brake system:

• Brembo Gran Turismo

• Brembo 6-piston Monobloc Calipers

• Brembo 405x34mm 2-Piece Floating Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats

Rear brake system:

• Brembo Gran Turismo

• Brembo 4-piston Monobloc Calipers

• Brembo 380x28mm 2-Piece Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats

[Intrepidation]

From some angles it looks a little odd, but from others it looks very sexy, especially the ones taken of the white example I posted. Love the profile. Interior is interesting...look at the size of that screen!

[Camino LS6]

Not bad.

[G. David Felt]

SWEET Thanks for the post DF, that Car rocks. I do find it funny that they leather makes the interior look dirty, I would think they would have had it wiped down or something, but it also could be the angle the camera took the pic.

[Drew Dowdell]

Switch gear out of a Chrysler 300?

[Intrepidation]

I want to know how it seats 7 people.

[G. David Felt]

I want to know how it seats 7 people.

Considering it has glass all the way to the back of what we might consider a trunk, could it be that is where you have a couple kids sit facing backwards like the old mid 70's Oldmobile Station wagons did? My parents had a Delta 88 Station wagon with the 3rd seat facing backwards. I love it back there, plenty of room to stretch out and look around and button our dog would come back there and curl up on the floor to sleep. It was my own space compared to the middle seat. Only problem was always had to wait for someone to let you out.

[Intrepidation]

I had that thought too.

It's a pretty original looking car, with the exception of the back. It gives off a very Jag vibe...but at teh same time it's clean and handsome

[G. David Felt]

I had that thought too.

It's a pretty original looking car, with the exception of the back. It gives off a very Jag vibe...but at teh same time it's clean and handsome

Now I do not get the Jag feel but I do see plenty of the Mazarati in this car, from the grill, shape of the nose to the tail is just screams, I stole the Mazarati look.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Love those Saab wheels too...

[Intrepidation]

I see the Maserati resemblance but it doesn't scream it to me. Actually the tail light shape looks kinda like a stretched Optima tail light...albeit its much, much better looking.

[Intrepidation]

I LOVE the profile of this thing:

[Satty]

Love

Want

But since its not powered solely by an ICE will it be considered a "dorkmobile" by some on this site?

[CaddyXLR-V]

Love

Want

But since its not powered solely by an ICE will it be considered a "dorkmobile" by some on this site?

If it doesn't sell 500k a year will it be considered a failure by some on this site?

[Satty]

Only if Tesla projects 500k/year for it and it misses the mark by 20% until they throw a ton of cash on the hood.

[Robert Hall]

Slick....I see a bit of Aston Martin and Maserati in the nose, nice profile. Wasn't Henrik Fisker involved in the design of this car at one point (and that led to a lawsuit, IIRC). Is this car RWD? It looks it judging by the proportions..the article said AWD available.

Future cool..

Edited March 26, 2009 by moltar

[Camino LS6]

Love

Want

But since its not powered solely by an ICE will it be considered a "dorkmobile" by some on this site?

No.

Because it is fast and attractive, not an ugly farce.

[G. David Felt]

Total Mazarati knock off, but me likey and would buy one.

[Camino LS6]

I see Maserati (correct spelling BTW), Aston, Jag, and a tiny sprinkling of Acura in the styling.

Still, it takes all of those infuences to a new place.

As I said,

not bad.

[pow]

Love those Saab wheels too...

They're Lorinser RS8 wheels...

That means it uses a Mercedes bolt pattern. Some of the switchgear, the steering wheel, and the center armrest are from Merc as well.

The Model S's wheelbase of 116.5" is unique to Tesla, though... so I don't think the platform is shared with the E-class.

[PurdueGuy]

You guys are missing one of the key important bits of info: the battery changing stations. Being able to switch out a battery at a station in under 10 minutes means that if the infrastructure was there, this could be a feasible primary car. Typical electric cars don't work as a primary/only car for most people, because it holds them to traveling within a fixed radius around their house. Charge times are too long for charging stations to make sense, so the only way you can treat an electric car (for now) like a regular gasoline car is if you can stop along the way & swap packs. With the right infrastructure, you could drive coast to coast without much thought. If the infrastructure starts to become established, and if they can put out future models at lower cost, they could really build a market and become a full-fledged automaker...

IMO, the Big 3 ought to get in on setting a quick-swap battery standard with this company and really make things happen.

[pow]

You guys are missing one of the key important bits of info: the battery changing stations. Being able to switch out a battery at a station in under 10 minutes means that if the infrastructure was there, this could be a feasible primary car. Typical electric cars don't work as a primary/only car for most people, because it holds them to traveling within a fixed radius around their house. Charge times are too long for charging stations to make sense, so the only way you can treat an electric car (for now) like a regular gasoline car is if you can stop along the way & swap packs. With the right infrastructure, you could drive coast to coast without much thought. If the infrastructure starts to become established, and if they can put out future models at lower cost, they could really build a market and become a full-fledged automaker...

IMO, the Big 3 ought to get in on setting a quick-swap battery standard with this company and really make things happen.

Renault-Nissan are partnering with Israel-based Better Place, which has contracts with Israel, Denmark, Australia, California, Hawaii and Canada to provide battery-swapping infrastructure.

[Satty]

160 mile range, convenient since I generally drive about 150 miles per week.

I'm wondering how feasible it would to for them to put solar panels on the roof and get a few more miles between charges.

[Camino LS6]

Tesla is certainly a company to watch.

[Sixty8panther]

Awesome.

The Toyopet Prius is a Nerd with B.O. & a pocket protector.

This is a Renaissance man...

The stance & profile are amazing.

Full recharge in under 10 min? Amazing.

No.

Because it is fast and attractive, not an ugly farce.

Exactly.

[Satty]

I wouldn't consider replacing the battery pack as being a full recharge.

There is going to be a Tesla store in Chicago this summer. Maybe we'll go up there and check it out. See if a spin in a Roadster is possible.

[Intrepidation]

One thing is for sure...if teh Volt costs $40k and this costs $50k I know what I'd spend my money on.

[Satty]

According to the website, the Model S will hit the street in 2011.

Camino is certainly right, this is a company to watch. EV technology hasn't done particularly well in the past, but if Tesla seems to be doing everything right to get it to stick.

[Camino LS6]

The battery pack replacement stations are a huge gamble.

But if one or more of the majors joins in, they will be huge.

[Satty]

I imagine pack replacement stations are a long, long way off. More likely they'll be done at dealerships until the demand picks up.

[Intrepidation]

The battery pack replacement stations are a huge gamble.

But if one or more of the majors joins in, they will be huge.

It is a gamble, but (to add to the second part of your statement) taking risks is what drives innovation, and potentially huge success.

[Robert Hall]

It is a gamble, but (to add to the second part of your statement) taking risks is what drives innovation, and potentially huge success.

Yes...it looks like the battery pack stations will be a reality in Denmark and Israel in the near term, given what I've read about Renault-Nissan and Better Place's efforts. When they will appear in the US is another story, but I'm sure it will be either in the LA or San Francisco area or both first..that's where the cutting edge and innovative technology usually pops up first, like the Tesla...

[Satty]

Yep, California is where Tesla is happening, its likely to be where Tesla infrastructure happens.

[Intrepidation]

Considering it has glass all the way to the back of what we might consider a trunk, could it be that is where you have a couple kids sit facing backwards like the old mid 70's Oldmobile Station wagons did? My parents had a Delta 88 Station wagon with the 3rd seat facing backwards. I love it back there, plenty of room to stretch out and look around and button our dog would come back there and curl up on the floor to sleep. It was my own space compared to the middle seat. Only problem was always had to wait for someone to let you out.

It does, I haven't read article before:

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.

[§carlet §wordfish]

Well this looks damn sexy and impressive. Far exceeds what I thought the Tesla sedan would be.

I'm not sure if I like this or the Karma more. I need to see the interior.

Edited March 29, 2009 by §carlet §wordfish

[Blake Noble]

Someone call the New York Times because it's snowing in hell right now. That is a very attractive electric car.

Love those Saab wheels too...

The only thing that appears similar to a Saab to me would be the interior and its layout.

[Paolino]

This is just awesome--it's GORGEOUS. If Cadillac were to make an EV, I'd hope it'd be something like this--sporty, luxurious, and powerful.