- Tesla has ambitious plans to follow up the Model S sedan and Model X crossover with an even smaller, as-yet-unnamed electric car, as well as a second-generation Roadster.
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk says production of the Model S remains on track for a mid-2012 launch.
- The Model X, which will share many underbody components with the Model S, is expected to begin production in late 2013.
PALO ALTO, California — Tesla Motors has released the first official photos of the 2013 Model S sedan more than a year ahead of the car's scheduled mid-2012 launch. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also told shareholders of plans to introduce the Model X crossover in late 2013, followed by an even smaller, as-yet-unnamed electric car, as well as a second-generation Roadster.
The Model S will be offered in three versions. Initial production will focus on the high-end Signature series, which will be priced from $77,400 and will have a driving range of 300 miles between charges.
The company also plans to offer a base version of the Model S, with a range of 160 miles and a retail price of $57,400 before tax credits. In addition, Tesla will market a mid-level edition of the Model S, with a range of 230 miles and a price tag of around $67,400. Earlier this year, the company said those two models will be available "later in 2012."
Tesla said it plans to build 5,000 to 7,000 Model S sedans next year at a former Toyota-General Motors plant in Fremont, California, as it ramps up production. Eventually, it expects to build 20,000 Model S sedans a year at the old NUMMI plant.
The plant also is slated to build the Model X, which may be unveiled in preproduction prototype form late this year. The Model X will share a number of underbody components with the Model S and is expected to have a similar pricing structure.
Musk told shareholders at the company's first annual meeting last week that Tesla already has received 4,600 reservations for the Model S, indicating the first year's production is virtually sold out.
He said a smaller "Gen III" vehicle, priced from around $30,000, could debut in four to five years, while a second-generation Roadster could arrive by 2014.
Inside Line says: Investors appear to remain confident about Tesla's future.
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davemfl says:
08:13 AM, 06/16/2011
We've all got 100 years of brain washing by big oil and the automotive industry. It's hard to get what we currently consider "the norm" out of our heads and consider an alternative. Forget about "green this and that", this technology will allow us to reduce our dependency on foriegn oil - period. That's good. We think it's no big deal to drive our car to a gas station to fuel up. We also know that gas stations are everywhere, so there's little fear of getting stuck, as long as we don't run too low. However, electricity is everywhere too. It's even in our garages, so we can begin everyday with a full tank. Can't do that with gasoline.
Where does gasoline come from? Well a lot of what we use starts out in some other country. Then they put it on a tanker ship bound for the US. Then they move it from the ship to a refinery. Then they put it in trucks and drive it down our highways. It makes stops at dozens of gas stations until the truck is empty. Then you drive to a gas station to get it. And we wonder why it costs so much?
Electricity comes from our power plants, where we use our coal, our oil, our hydro, our wind, and our nuclear fuel to create it. Then it travels across wires to your house and into your electric car. Soon you'll have fast charging capability at highway stops, hotels, and public garages. An electric car with a range of 200+ miles can meet 98% of your driving needs at 1/4 of your current fuel cost. At the same time, we can stop giving oil money to countries that hate the USA.
In 50 years, the only gas powered cars will be in museums. By then, battery technology will take you 1,000 miles on one charge. Our kids will think we were stupid to have waited 100+ years to move this technology forward.
dvilla99 says:
02:53 PM, 06/14/2011
I don't care what anyone says. I have been putting high performance fuel into my lexus for some time now and I am sick of it. I love the luxurious feeling but hate what it is doing to my pocketbook. For me, this car is a dream come true. Say what you want but when you own a business there is no better purchase than a car like this. I am going to dazzle my clients as I take them around Los Angeles and talk "technology" shop with them. To heck with fossil fuel vehicles. Where is my Tesla!!!
smallfield says:
12:40 PM, 06/11/2011
Is it just me or do they all resemble some kind of Jaguar/Aston Martin?
+1 - Like a XF with a botched nose job
Most people, maybe all, with a 77K car will have a second car that isn't elective to take long trips. If not, renting a few times a year isn't too expensive.
300 miles isn't so bad for moderate trips either. When living east coast I rarely took a weekend trip of over 250 miles. DC to NYC is less than 250miles as is DC to beaches. Probably living in West Texas wouldn't work out as well.
Either way - if they stay sold 1 year ahead delivery they can't do too poorly as long as they are run well.
sirius999 says:
09:26 AM, 06/11/2011
Brilliant (concept: 4-6 seater electric sedan with 200mi range), beautiful (shape/ style: something a car guy can actually own and appreciate, instead of having to console oneself in some ghastly e-soapbox-car, by staring at a screen showing animated drivetrain schematics) and brave (Mr Musk drives on, fueling up on cash as he goes, sometimes touching E on the gauge)! Only from Silicon Valley!!!
financeman2 says:
08:26 AM, 06/11/2011
A beautiful fast car.....that can't be driven on a trip of any distance. No thank you. For $77,000 there are plenty of other better options.
wagonguy1 says:
01:50 PM, 06/10/2011
Finally, an electric or hybrid that is not extremely ugly. Leaf, Prius, Cruz, that Honda one which is so ugly/bland as to be erased from memory, all ugly.
zotz says:
01:20 PM, 06/10/2011
@sniperruff: it's not your imagination. Henrik Fisker did the initial work on the Tesla Model S. He's known for his own Karma hybrid, the Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage, and the BMW Z8.
@gmhl10: I do like the appearance of the Model S, but pretty looks won't make it go when the battery is flat. The Karma will grin its big grille as it motors on by.
gmhl10 says:
03:43 AM, 06/10/2011
Don't forget... the reason that these companies can price so high and still be attractive is because of the tax credits.
Here in Hawaii, you get $7K from federal tax credits and $4K from state tax credits when you buy an EV (I believe those were the right numbers).
And IMO, Tesla > Fisker
different1 says:
09:13 PM, 06/09/2011
don't know if you are with me on this but...
have u noticed that all the new hybrids, or the electric cars prices are so high, i know its a new technology and what not.. but if you as a buyer want to buy something that saves you money why in the hell would they put it so high in prices, whats the point and difference , ex. Chevy volt, ugly looking, and expensive , better off buying something luxurious then spend my hard earn money on some trash to be honest with you plus this Tesla does looks good but its like a little kids toy car you charge it and it goes very fast right away then puffff warning signs that you ran out of battery and in those type of cars you are limited in distance wise... if you want to save money might as well buy a cheaper one (reg. gas car) and at the end will end up about the same or even less... and i am sure better looking, and performance wise anyway....
and the best looking electric car in my opinion is the new 4 door Fisker...
gtrguy2012 says:
03:59 PM, 06/09/2011
Sweet looking car, did they steal those wheels from Saab?