Tesla Motors at the 2010 NAIAS

[Wimbledon]

Short and interesting article about Tesla's ramp up to the 2010 NAIAS:

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog3/?p=96

[Wimbledon]

* - 300 mile range
* - 45 minute QuickCharge
* - 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
* - Seats 7 people
* - More cargo space than sedans
* - 2X as efficient as hybrids
* - 17 inch infotainment touchscreen

$49,900?!

Where do I sign up?

Volt what?

[VAGuy]

i said it on vortex, i'll say it here, that is a gorgeous car. So much win in every part of that car!

[J_man]

I actually think I love that thing more than the Fisker Karma.

...but how in the hell does it seat 7?

[Wimbledon]

(01-12-2010 03:26 PM)J_man Wrote:  I actually think I love that thing more than the Fisker Karma.

...but how in the hell does it seat 7?

2 small jump seats in the trunk/hatch area. I haven't seen the Model S in person, so I'm not too sure how that actually works out.

[Wimbledon]

Via @edmunds on Twitter:

[J_man]

(01-12-2010 10:58 PM)Wimbledon Wrote:  2 small jump seats in the trunk/hatch area. I haven't seen the Model S in person, so I'm not too sure how that actually works out.

Scary! I guess that's why they're very specific about saying it seats five adults and two children.

[Wimbledon]

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/...imeswheels

New York Times Wrote:Detroit Auto Show: Tesla Model S Prototype
By JERRY GARRETT

Introduced on Tuesday, Jan. 12: Tesla Model S prototype

Is it real? Not quite, but the eventual real Model S sedan is coming into sharper focus. A nonoperational design study was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall. The Model S shown here – one of two working prototypes, Tesla says – is the first one we’ve seen with a real interior.

What they said: “Development continues toward production for the Model S,” said Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive. “We now have two running prototypes, including the one on display here today.” Mr. Musk added that a Tesla Roadster Sport with serial number 1,000, also on display here, represented an important milestone and proof that the company delivers on its promises. “A year ago right here in Detroit we had delivered about 150 Roadsters, so V.I.N. 1,000 is a humble but important milestone for us.”

What they didn’t say: Tesla wanted to silence people who’ve complained that the Model S always seems to hover in the future, so it posted photographs on its Web site showing the car being driven from the transporter that brought it to Detroit and into Cobo Center for the company’s Tuesday press conference.

What makes it tick? A swappable battery module will let owners choose three levels of power and range for the Model S. The standard battery pack is a 42-kilowatt-hour version with a promised range of 160 miles and 0-to-60 acceleration of 5.6 seconds, which would not be bad for a 4,000-pound car. More powerful battery packs promising ranges of 230 miles and 300 miles will also be available for an as-yet undisclosed bump in price.

How much? How soon? Originally promised for delivery in mid-2011, the on-sale date of the Model S has been pushed to early 2012. The promised price tag is still $57,400; a $7,500 government tax credit for electric vehicles would knock the outlay to less than $50,000. Tesla is also talking about attractive leasing deals that would make the price equivalent to $37,000 or so. Voodoo math or the real deal? We will know in 18 months.

How’s it look? Franz von Holzhausen, the former head of design for Mazda, has done an admirable job transforming the lumpy early prototype into an elegantly styled sedan that would look comfortable parked between, say, an Aston Martin and a Maserati.

[Wimbledon]

Tesla Motors Wrote:Tesla Celebrates 1,000th Roadster

Electric automaker displays VIN 1,000 at North American International Auto Show, will donate full value to charities

DETROIT -- (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tesla Motors has built its 1,000th production vehicle -- a significant milestone for the only automaker worldwide producing and selling highway-capable electric cars.

The car, which bears the unique Vehicle Identification No. 1,000, is a special-edition Roadster Sport in “Millennial White,” with a unique interior and carbon fiber accents. VIN 1,000 will be on display at the North American International Auto Show through Jan. 24.

The world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer will donate the $175,000 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of this collector's car to several charities in metro Detroit.

"A year ago right here in Detroit we had delivered about 150 Roadsters, so VIN 1,000 is a humble but important milestone for us," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "It's fitting to do something special with this unique car."

Tesla will donate the full value of the car to organizations including:
Forgotten Harvest: Oak Park, Mich.-based charity focused on alleviating hunger and waste by rescuing food from more than 450 food industry donors.
The Children's Center: Detroit-based coalition of civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and families.
FOCUS: Hope: Detroit-based community organization focused on food and health programs to single low-income mothers and children, civic revitalization, and back-to-work education projects such as a "green jobs" training program.
Sierra Club: The nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental group with over 1.3 million members and supporters, winning big victories to stop global warming and move America into a clean energy future.
National Wildlife Federation: America's largest conservation organization with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters working to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming and connect with nature.

Tesla, a Silicon Valley-based automaker that began vehicle development in 2004, has delivered Roadsters to customers in 43 states and 19 countries. The company operates 10 retail outlets in the United States and Europe.

Roadster Road Trip Car and Model S on Display

The Tesla booth at the Detroit auto show also features "VIN 750," an Arctic White Roadster Sport that recently completed a 2,700-mile cross-country road trip to Detroit from Los Angeles. Tesla employees drove 750 through nine states, three time zones, and two snowstorms – without a drop of gasoline.

The acclaimed Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 and is twice as energy efficient as leading hybrids. It is the only highway-capable electric vehicle for sale in North America or Europe.

The 2010 North American International Auto Show also marks the Detroit debut of the Model S. The Model S is an electric, seven-passenger sedan that Tesla plans to begin producing in early 2012 with an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a US federal tax credit.

About Tesla

Tesla is the world’s only automaker selling highway-capable electric vehicles. Tesla sells cars online and operates showrooms and galleries in London, Munich, Monaco, California’s Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, Colorado, New York, Seattle, Chicago and South Florida. The company's goal is to produce increasingly affordable cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs.

The electric Tesla Roadster accelerates from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds yet produces zero tailpipe emissions, qualifying it for tax credits and fee waivers throughout Europe and North America. The Roadster does not need regular oil changes or exhaust system work. Roadsters have no spark plugs, pistons, hoses, belts or clutches to replace. Tesla recommends a standard service and diagnostic inspection once a year – and Tesla can perform service with convenient “house calls” at customers’ homes or offices.

[jmla]

Wow, it's gorgeous and seats 7. You go Tes!