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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Not only is it beyond BMW gorgeous, burns no fuel and somehow seats 7, at $49,900 (after $7,500 tax credit), it may even pressure the Volt! (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=197084)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2011_Tesla_S_Sedan_Drivers_Side_Front_Profile_Headline.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Mar. 26, 2009

Tesla Model S Sedan – MSRP of $57,400, 300-miles all-electric range and includes 45-minute charge capability.

Hawthorne, CA. -- Tesla is now taking orders for the Model S, an all electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels an estimated 300 miles per charge.

The Model S carries an onboard charger and can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes from empty to full SoC.

According to Tesla, you can recharge your car while stopping for a meal, allowing you to drive from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car. Another new and unexpected tidbit is 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 according to Tesla’s release.

The 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, making it the only car you’ll ever need.

With seating for five adults and two children, plus an additional trunk under the hood, Model S has passenger carrying capacity and versatility rivaling SUVs and minivans. Rear seats fold flat, and the hatch gives way to a roomy opening, so you can stow a mountain bike, 50-inch flat-screen TV, full drum set or futon frame – more than ample for the entire family and their gear.

“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 DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.

The S built on the Roadsters proven technology

Tesla is the only automaker currently selling a real world highway-capable BEV in the form of the famous Roadster. With a 0 - 60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms most sports cars in its class.

Tesla’s do not require routine maintenance as they have far fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine equipped vehicle. They also 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.

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 touch screen 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 (http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/buyshowroom.php) 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.

Tesla expects to begin producing the Model S sedan in late 2011. More details are available at Tesla Motors (www.teslamotors.com).

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Will someone buy me one of these?

I am gobsmacked! The future is here!

ollie

You can stuff an additional child in the trunk and under the hood? Kewl!!!!!

You can stuff an additional child in the trunk and under the hood? Kewl!!!!!
LOL i was wondering where the extra 2 seats were!:D
I hope this makes it to production and onwards to EVERYBODY......to buy, not lease......

ollie

This practically obsoletes the $40,000 Chevy Volt. For an additional $17,400, you get 260miles of additional EV range and greatly reduced maintenance costs (no ICE).

I'm assuming the two additional seats are in the back, station wagon style? This looks to be a very very exciting car to own.

Mike, I'm pretty sure the base price is just for the 160mi range vehicle, but still. :D

Elixer, that's what I was thinking. Car seat mount points on the back of the rear seat could provide that child seating claimed in the article.

According to the FAQ on their site:

4) How many people and how much cargo can it hold?
a. Model S can seat up to 7 people, with room for 5 adults, plus 2 child seats in the rear. There is more storage capacity than most stations wagons, and the large rear opening allows for the flexibility to carry large objects that cannot fit in the trunk opening of a traditional sedan.

Wow. The form of this car is almost as exciting as a Jaguar E-type... ok maybe not. But still very nicely done! I like the extra passenger capability, and sure the extra trunk room would make this a practical 'journey' car. Hey, Wayne... when can we do a 'get to there from here on 1 battery charge' runs? :D Better yet, NY to SF ala reenactment style...

Dose of realism: This is still a long way from production--nearly two years by Tesla's own account, and that assumes that they can stay in business that long. Seven passenger seating? Where? Doesn't appear possible in the model they unveiled. And the price? Still too high for the average buyer, of course, but also, how can they sell a car that is larger than the roadster, holds more people, has more doors, uses a similar drive train but costs half as much??

And the cynics among you think the Volt is vaporware??

I can see it now. A modified bicycle frame with a generator attached is carried with the group and half a day is spent in Tonapah trying to charge the battery enough to get to the next charging point...

:D

Mdensch, please look at my post above yours for the origin of the "seats 7" claim.

It may not end up on the market, but they did bring the Roadster out and they are the only ones promising to even attempt something like this. Using the Roadster as evidence of their intent and capability, I'd say there is a pretty good chance these things will hit the road.

According to NPR they are waiting on a government subsidy. To hell with the gas car manufature bail outs, give the money to people like this!

I am going to test drive the Insight II today...........why bother at this point, I should just keep the FIT and wait 2 years to get the Tesla. :D

Mdensch, please look at my post above yours for the origin of the "seats 7" claim.

Another web site has more detailed photos including the rear hatch open. There is no way to put seating back there and there are five seating positions with seat belts. If this thing is gonna be a 7 passenger, it will be a different body style than the one they trotted out.

Also, let's get past these $49,000 headlines. Tesla says the price is $57.000, then they subtract an assumed tax credit.

You didn't see any child seat anchors back there?

I won't be able to afford one but people who normally buy Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus, etc will. Hopefully they'll pull the price down further so the rest of us can get our hands on the tech in the next 7 years or so.

Another web site has more detailed photos ...

Can you please share the link? I would like to see the inside.

He may be referring to this link (http://jalopnik.com/5185534/tesla-model-s-sedan-concept-first-official-pictures).