Tesla Accepts More Than 700 Pre-Orders for Model-S in Two Weeks

In spite of the fact that the first examples of the Model S won't roll off the company's production line in California before late 2011, Tesla Motors has received 711 orders for its all-electric sports sedan in the two weeks that followed the unveiling of the car. The estimated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a US federal tax credit of $7,500, with customers required to pay a $2,000 refundable deposit. There's also a Signature Edition that will be produced in 2,000 units which requires a hefty $40,000 reserve fee which is also refundable.

The Model S that can accommodate up to seven passengers -five adults and two children at the rear cargo area- features an electric drivetrain launching the sports sedan from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to a an electronically limited top speed of 120 mph (209 km/h).

The sports sedan come with three available battery pack choices that offer a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles (257, 370 or 482 kilometers) per charge. The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in 45 minutes.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Tesla Model S Sports Sedan: First Live Videos on the Road

These are the first videos with driving footage of Tesla's all-electric Model S sports saloon that was introduced last week to the members of the press more than two years ahead of its scheduled U.S. and European market debut in late 2011. From the looks of it, the Model S was filmed making a few rounds on the road before and after the official presentation in Hawthorne, California, with the company's CEO Elon Musk behind the steering wheel. Hit the jump to watch the videos.

Tesla Model S Electric Sport Sedan: High-Res Gallery and Official Details

The wraps finally came off Tesla's all-new, plug-in electric sports sedan, the Model S, on Thursday in Los Angeles. Concisely, the Model S can seat up to seven passengers (we'll explain this below), sprint from zero to 60mph or 96km/h in just 5.6 seconds and go up to 300 miles or 480km on a single charge. First deliveries in North America and Europe will begin in late 2011 with the U.S. model featuring a base price of $57,400 or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500.

Now onto a more detailed view on the Model S. The photos reveal that Tesla's designers were heavily influenced by European cars and in particular the Jaguar XF when it came to the notchback's buttocks and profile and to a less extent, the Maserati GranTurismo for the car's front-end styling. Similarities aside, the Model S looks the part and we reckon that its design will be one of its strong points.

So what's with the seven seats, we hear you ask? Well, Tesla claims that the Model S which has an overall length of 196-inches (4,978mm) or somewhere between a BMW 5 and 7-Series, offers seating for five adults plus two rear-facing and foldable seats for children in the rear cargo area. Even in this configuration, the Model S can still carry some of your luggage as it has a second trunk under the hood.

Tesla's second model after the Roadster comes equipped with an electric drivetrain that includes an electric motor, a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, launching the BMW 5-Series-sized sports sedan from naught to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph or 209 km/h. In the near future, Tesla aims to enrich the Model S' range with Sport and AWD versions.

The Model S will be available with three different battery pack options capable of offering a range of up to 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. Tesla said that the battery pack can be quick-charged in 45 minutes at a cost of about $4 - or so the California-based company claims.

2011 Tesla Model S All-Electric Sports Sedan Photos Leaked!

The first official photographs of Tesla's highly anticipated Model S have been prematurely leaked into the internet ahead of the all-electric sports sedan's official debut which is scheduled for this afternoon in Los Angeles. And yes, the first thing that came up to our mind is that the Model S's rear-end and profile bear a 'chilling resemblance to the new Jaguar XF.

Tesla's new proposal is set to arrive on the market in late 2011 with an anticipated base price of $57,400 or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. We'll have more info and photos of the Model S latter on in the day.

Via: Jalopnik