Prius Accessories and Hybrid Car Parts

Tesla’s New Model S Electric Sedan

June 1, 2009

Every day I drive by the local Tesla Dealer and slow down to look at a candy store of colorful electric roadsters. Last week I noticed something new on the showroom floor and had to stop in. It was a beautiful luxury sedan. It was Tesla’s Model S.

This marks the electric automaker unveiling its long awaited introduction of its seven passenger vehicle. Really it is a 5 passenger sedan with a couple of kid seats in the back that face rearward. It is a very creative configuration, but I am not sure how the kids will do when fully loaded and have to look out the rear window on long trips.

Tesla is aiming high with a limited production and very expensive model starting at a base price of $57,400. The base car has a range of 160 miles. Though the battery can be upgraded to extend the range to 300 miles between charges. Tesla would not discuss the additional cost over the base price to do this. You can charge this car pretty much anywhere at 120, 240, or 480 volts. Tesla also mentioned a quick change battery swap which sounded a bit more like marketing than reality at the moment.

According to the specifications the car weighs almost 2 tons and is expected to have a zero to 60 acceleration time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 MPH. Acceptable , but certainly not stellar performance for a lux-sedan in this price range.

I must say the car is drop dead gorgeous with a hint of Maserati in the front lines which are fluid. Definitely first impressions are that this is a luxury car and expensive. There is an aura of go fast and expensive in the same breath.

Considering making this car really functional for family use it would need a battery upgrade to 300 mile capacity. My estimate with current battery technology and cost is that this would add upwards of approximately $30,000 dollars to the price point. Thus making the entire car cost upwards of $80,000 to $90,000.

Tesla is taking deposits now and the production cars probably will not hit the streets for at least a year or so. This is a great sign of things to come from Tesla and other automakers. We are looking forward to having some auto accessories for this and other electric vehicles.

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Filed under: All Posts,Electric Cars,Green News and Products,Prius Accessories

Tags: Electric Cars, tesla, tesla roadster