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Electric Automobiles - Tesla Motors
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Tesla taking
orders for Roadster Sport and Model S
Tesla Roadster Sport
Tesla Motors
develops and manufactures all-electric, zero-emission
vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency. The
Roadster, which conforms to all U.S. and E.U. safety and durability
standards, is the only highway-capable production electric car for sale
in the United States and Europe. With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 3.9
seconds and a 14,000 rpm redline, the Roadster delivers
super car performance with far more energy efficiency than compact
hybrids. Tesla also plans to begin manufacturing a four-door,
five-passenger, all-electric, zero-emission luxury sedan in 2011.
http://teslamotors.com
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Tesla unveils world’s first mass-produced,
highway-capable EV
Model S sedan has anticipated base price of $49,900, up to 300-mile
range and 45-minute QuickCharge capability
March 26, 2009
HAWTHORNE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) —Tesla Motors is now taking orders
for the Model S, an all
electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels 300
miles per charge.
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 wait list.
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.
“Model S costs half as much as a Roadster, and
it’s a better value than much cheaper cars,” Musk said. “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. I’m 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.
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Tesla Motors introduces
Roadster Sport
Next-generation sports car has
15% more peak power and delivers 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds
January 11, 2009
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)—Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster
Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading
all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.
The
Roadster Sport does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9
seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator
and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak
torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tires, the
Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and
anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.
The
Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000
(excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.
“This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice
as efficient
as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior
vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse
to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is
your only option.”
The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of
Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based
Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S
five-passenger sedan in 2011.
Tesla has delivered more than 150
Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list.
Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
“The
Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said
CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a
great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the
status quo.”
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