- Tesla CEO Elon Musk greeted Model S reservation holders and the media at an open house and ride-and-drive at the fledgling automaker's California assembly plant.
- Musk said the Model S Sport will accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
- The Model S Sport will be available at the mid-2012 production launch of the new midsize electric sedan.
FREMONT, California — Tesla, the Silicon Valley-based electric-car startup, plans to offer a performance-oriented Model S Sport at the electric car's mid-2012 launch and expects to stage the world debut of the Model X crossover in January at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
Both bits of news were revealed this week by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who greeted Model S reservation holders and the media at an open house and ride-and-drive at the fledgling automaker's California assembly plant here, the site of the former Toyota-General Motors joint venture NUMMI.
Model S Beta Unveiling from Tesla Motors on Vimeo.
Musk said the Model S Sport will accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds — considerably quicker than the 5.6-second 0-60 time quoted for the standard Model S.
Depicted in one local newspaper account of the event as "a rock star . . . surrounded by groupies," Musk told Britain's Autocar magazine that the Model X would "blend the qualities of an MPV and an SUV." Musk confirmed Tesla's plans to reveal the Model X in December, ahead of the Detroit show. The midsize crossover shares the underpinnings of the Model S and is slated to be assembled in Fremont in late 2013.
The standard 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."
Inside Line says: Musk and his team continue to build Tesla into a real carmaker.
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smallfield says:
05:16 PM, 10/04/2011
Man - sign me up for the Model S Sport. I wonder how much more that is? M/AMG/RS speed - Leaf guilt levels. I think that's worth the 90K+ this will cost.
jm1212 says:
03:40 PM, 10/04/2011
230 miles is probably long enough for anyone. if you need to travel beyond that on a regular basis, get a normal car or a Fisker Karma. and btw, 5.7 seconds to 60 is already pretty quick.
gmhl10 says:
03:11 PM, 10/04/2011
I'd rock a Tesla > Fisker. :)