| Manufacturer | Tesla Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | Expected mid-2012 |
| Class | Full-sized 4-door sportback |
| Transmission | Single-speed transaxle gearbox |
| Wheelbase | 116.5 in (2,959 mm) |
| Length | 195.9 in (4,976 mm) |
| Width | 77.3 in (1,963 mm) |
| Height | 56.5 in (1,435 mm) |
| Designer | Franz von Holzhausen |
The Tesla Model S is a full-sized battery electric sedan developed by Tesla Motors. It is an electric car that was initially codenamed WhiteStar during research and preliminary development. Model S was announced in a press release on June 30, 2008.[1] The prototype vehicle was displayed at a press conference on March 26, 2009.[2]
Delivery of Model S is expected to begin in mid-2012, with a base price of US$57,400.[3] The base model will have a range of 160 miles (260 km) when fully charged, and a 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration of 5.6 seconds. The first 1,000 sedans off the line will be the Signature Series, equipped with the 300 miles (480 km) battery pack.[3][4] Charging times vary depending on the battery pack's state-of-charge, its overall capacity, the available voltage, and the available circuit breaker amp rating (current). A standard charge may take 3 to 5 hours[4] using 220 volt household current. With commercial-grade equipment, a 45-minute QuickCharge to 80% offers the equivalent of adding 170 miles (270 km) of range for each hour of charging. In addition, a battery swap will be possible in less than two minutes.[5]
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Model S is a high-performance, premium electric sedan that competes with cars like the BMW 5-series. This model follows Tesla Motors' business plan to expand down-market from the high performance Tesla Roadster sports car (the Roadster has a base price of US$109,000 or €99,000).
Model S was styled by Franz von Holzhausen, who previously worked for Mazda North American Operations. The chassis, body, motor and energy storage systems are unique to Tesla Motors.[6]
The Model S was featured on Late Show with David Letterman in April 2009. Because the car uses no gasoline whatsoever and does not produce any tailpipe emissions, it was allowed on the Late Show set and was the first fully functioning car on the stage.[7]
Construction of an assembly factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico (a central location for shipping)[8] was supposed to begin in April 2007, but was cancelled. A factory to be built in San Jose, California was also announced.[9][10][11]
On February 1, 2008 it was reported that Tesla Motors was planning to offer a range-extended version of its Model S. This version would have included a gasoline engine to extend the driving range of the vehicle,[12] but it was removed in later revisions. Speaking at the GoingGreen conference on September 18, 2008, Musk officially said that Tesla was only pursuing all-electric cars and not hybrids.[13]
On February 12, 2009 Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, officially stated on the Tesla Motors Blog that the prototype car would be revealed March 26, 2009 at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California.[14]
On May 20, 2010 Tesla Motors announced it would produce the new lower-priced Model S at the former NUMMI assembly plant in Fremont, California,[15] now known as the Tesla Factory.
Pricing has been announced at US$57,400 for the base-level model with a 160 mi (260 km) range, US$67,400 for an intermediate model with a 230 mi (370 km) range, and US$77,400 for a model with a 300 mi (480 km) range.[16] 1,000 high-end “Signature Series” models, all equipped with the 300 mi (480 km) battery will be the first cars produced. The price for this model has not been announced yet, but it is estimated that it will sell for approximately US$85,000. For qualified consumers in the United States, there is a US$7,500 federal tax credit and there are other applicable local incentives available in several states.[17]
The company also announced plans to rent or lease high capacity battery packs which offer a 300 mi (480 km) range. Profits from the Model S are expected to fund development of a more affordable third-generation vehicle.
In the first week, Tesla Motors reported 520 reservations for the Model S. The very first Model S has been reserved for Tesla investor Steve Jurvetson.[18] As of May 17, 2009, there were over 1000 reservations according to the Tesla Motors web site.[19] An email sent in mid April to newsletter subscribers stated that pre-orders were up to 2,200. With a minimum deposit of US$5,000 required for each reservation, this totals at least US$11 million in commitment from buyers. Some of these orders are for the Signature Series Model S. These reservations require a US$40,000 deposit and previous Tesla Roadster owners were offered an opportunity to reserve these even before the March 26, 2009 reveal. It is unclear exactly what features will be offered on the limited edition Signature Series (2000 units maximum, split evenly between US & European buyers).
In mid-December, 2010, Tesla announced that the reservation count had passed 3000.[20] Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, had instructed the General Services Division and other government agencies to consider updating its fleet of cars with 100 Model S cars.[21] Tesla Motors, however, has since elected not to build a plant in New Mexico.[22]
As of November 2011, Tesla reported that more than 6,500 reservations have been made.[23]
Acceleration of the 3,825 pounds (1,735 kg) vehicle is anticipated to be 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.6 seconds aided by a drag coefficient of 0.27.[24]
Elon Musk announced on October 1, 2011 that there will also be a sport version of the Model S on its release. The claimed 0-60 mph (97 km/h) speed would be 4.4 seconds.[25]
The base model will have a range of 160 miles (260 km) when fully charged using a 42 kW·h battery pack (24 kW·h/100 mi, 108 mpgge). Larger, longer range battery pack options will be available as well; the options announced include a range of 230 miles (370 km) from a 65 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi, 100 mpgge) and a range of 300 miles (480 km) from an 85 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi, 100 mpgge).[26]
The Tesla Model S is expected to have a swappable battery,[27] and will feature a 17 in (43 cm) touchscreen computer with in-car 3G connectivity, enabling access to online services, or to check the battery's state of charge remotely.[28]
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