One Month = First S

[xcel]

Tesla announces it will deliver the first S on June 22nd.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 22, 2012

The S – $49,900 to $97,900 - When equipped with the 85 kWh Li-Ion pack, it is rated by the company for 300 miles all-electric range at a steady state 55 mph.

Tesla’s electric powertrain delivers performance with a single moving piece, a rotor. As a result, the 60 dance can be accomplished in 5.6 seconds and most importantly, it is accomplished without a single drop of gasoline being consumed.

In a release earlier this morning, Tesla announced that it will begin delivering its Model S to customers on June 22nd. Several customers will receive their cars that day at an invitation-only event at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. In its Q1 financial results, Tesla announced they would begin deliveries of the Model S ahead of the July time frame and apparently they are on schedule to do just that.

Model S is the first premium sedan designed from the ground up to take full advantage of electric vehicle architecture. A revolutionary powertrain sits under the floorboard of Model S, creating an ultra-low center of gravity. Paired with an aluminum body engineered for superior handling, Tesla has created a vehicle that will raise the bar for vehicle handling and efficiency while meeting the highest standards for safety.

Without an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, the interior of Model S has more cargo space than any other sedan and includes a second trunk under the hood. Model S seats five adults and two children in optional rear facing seats. The interior features a 17” in-dash touchscreen with internet capabilities, allowing for streaming radio, web browsing and navigation. With the most energy-dense battery pack in the industry and best-in-class aerodynamics, Model S has the longest range of any electric car in the world. Model S comes with three battery pack options to fit the unique needs of different drivers.

Model S test-drive events will begin rolling out to select North American cities in July. Tesla will be ramping up production throughout 2012 and plans to deliver 5,000 vehicles by year end. Reservations for the premium electric sedan currently exceed 10,000. Customers can reserve a Model S at one of Tesla’s retail stores or online.

The S Specs

Li-Ion Pack Capacity	40 kWh	60 kWh	85 kWh
Pricing	$49,900	$59,900	$69,900
Est. Range (55 mph)	160	230	300
0 - 60 mph (seconds)	6.5	5.9	5.6
Top Speed (mph)	110	120	125

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I love my new LEAF, but man... what a car!

[herm]

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/mode...ency-and-range

a page I refer to often.. notice how adding 30kWh of battery capacity gives you an extra 75 miles of range at 55mph?

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by herm

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/mode...ency-and-range

a page I refer to often.. notice how adding 30kWh of battery capacity gives you an extra 75 miles of range at 55mph?

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But isn't the Model S' 85kWh battery a newer, denser technology?

[xcel]

Hi Herm:

I did not read the blog but the Roadster was never capable of that kind of range. Is there another Y-Axis label and demarcation not shown?

Wayne

[PaleMelanesian]

It links to a competition run that went 313 miles. * under ideal conditions.

[herm]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Herm:

I did not read the blog but the Roadster was never capable of that kind of range. Is there another Y-Axis label and demarcation not shown?

Wayne

The green line is a Roadster with a 55kWh battery, the blue one to a Model S with an 85kWh battery.. note that these are not usable capacities, you have to reserve a bit for battery longevity.

[herm]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

But isn't the Model S' 85kWh battery a newer, denser technology?

Not sure, I think Tesla is still using Panasonic laptop cells in the S..

A poster at MNL mentions that the 40 and 60kWh versions are using regular laptop cells, the 85kWh version pack is the same weight and size as the 60kWh but using lithium-silicon laptop cells.. silicon replacing the graphite-on-copper film anode. Apparently they solved the poor durability problem.

http://www.technologyreview.com/business/24352/

http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/off...n091225-3.html

[TheStepChild]

Do they individually deliver each unit or something? I saw a Tesla labeled Chevy express van and matching enclosed cargo trailer running east thru Ontario a month or so ago. Sharp looking setup if he was delivering a unit.

[sidewinder]

I dearly would love to have a model S. The price is really up there though and there are no service locations in Indiana yet. But from what I've seen you get a lot for the 50,000 for the entry level model s.
Maybe in 2013... after some of the early adopters get theirs and they weed out the bugs.