All posts tagged tesla
Tesla Model X Concept unveiled
Tesla just introduced its new Model X Concept at its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, in front of over 1000 attendants. The car is an all-electric crossover that will join the Roadster and the Model S as the third model in Tesla’s range, and has been described by its maker as ‘more responsive’ than a Porsche 911 and ‘roomier’ than an Audi Q7.
The Model X is powered by the same electric powertrain of the Model S and it can be coupled to a battery packages of 40, 60 or 85 kWh, that would provide the model with a range between 145 and 270 miles (233 and 435 km), thereby a good 10% less than the Model S. The Model X is also the first model to adopt Tesla’s Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive system, which provides for two extra electric motors giving the car a proper 4-wheel drive traction.
Design-wise, the car sports a quite captivating curvy dome and an interesting an innovative “Falcon Wing” rear doors opening system, a new take on the classic gullwing-doors concept. According to Tesla, this configuration will allow for an easier access to the rear seats. The cabin in fact can host up to seven people over three rows, and offers the same sort of electronic trickery that can be found on the Model S as well, but with better finishing. At the moment the Tesla Model S is still a prototype, but the definitive version of the car is already scheduled to enter the market in early 2013.
View the full Tesla Model X Concept photo gallery
Tesla negotiating supply agreement with Mercedes-Benz
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk revealed that the small California-based electric vehicles manufacturer is currently negotiating a partnership agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the supply of electric powertrains (inclusive of engine and batteries) to the production line of a zero emission car bearing the 3-pointed star badge.
Apparently, it was the German automaker that approached Tesla to propose the deal. Mercedes already owns a 10% stake in Tesla, and the two companies have already worked together in the past on Smart Electric Drive batteries. Musk informed shareholders that a “letter of intent” sent from Daimler AG confirms Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to the agreement. More details on the project may be revealed “around the end of the year”, Musk said.
Via | Bloomberg
Tesla's upcoming Model S already "sold-out"
American electric vehicles manufacturer Tesla received “more than 6.500 orders” for its upcoming sedan model called Model S, which will debut in early 2012. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk stated that the outstanding response means that all the units that will be produced next year have already found an owner, therefore the Model S has to be considered “sol-out” for the whole 2012. The 50,000 dollars price tag surely played a part in this as Tesla’s current Roadster sports car costs aboaut 100,000 dollars. “They’re mostly new buyers - Musk said - as only 600 people who have ordered Roadsters have also bought the Model S.”
The unexpected success of its new sedan also means that Tesla should be able to earn a profit in 2013, a few years earlier than what analysts would have expected. The various configurations of the Model S can come with three different battery packages: the basic one provides the car with a range of 160 miles (260 km), the second 230 miles (370 km) and the third 300 miles (480 km).
Via | Bloomberg
Mercedes A-Class electric at Paris motor show
Mercedes-Benz will produce 500 E-Cell A-Class models with electric technology and will reveal the new car at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The A-Class electric production comes after collaboration with Tesla Motors and the car will be ready for market early next year. The A-Class uses Tesla battery packs and controllers resulting in a range of 200 km and torque of about 290 Nm.
Further technical details are to be released on September 15 but so far the battery is Tesla’s original 40 kW unit with 4,000 cells. According to reports, performance could even overtake that of the standard, petrol-driven A-Class. Given the conservative nature of the company, it was apparently Tesla who pushed to produce the model, providing proof of concept from the outset by procuring an A-Class (which are not available in the US) and developing a prototype.
While Mercedes had already produced the Smart ForTwo Electric, we think an A-Class electric could be an alternative to the struggling microcar brand, although it won’t be going mainstream. Instead, the E-Cell A-Class will be reserved for fleets and private customers interested in a Daimler electric vehicle. But if the Smart electric is too small and there’s a market out there, this will be one to watch in the future.
Source | New York Times
Audi E-Tron test drive video
The Audi E-Tron test drive by the Los Angeles Times is seen in this video, although it’s unlikely to tell you anything you didn’t already know. We don’t get an idea of what it feels like to actually drive the E-Tron, and the torque figures quoted are likely to be those of the wheels, and not the output shaft, which has created some controversy.
The driver of this test, Dan Neil, gives us some insight into what kind of car the E-Tron is like in his written article. He says:
Like all electric cars, the batteries are the biggest concern. The e-tron uses a lithium-ion pack sourced from Sanyo with a total capacity of 53 kWh, but only about 43 kWh is usable storage. Max discharge is a healthy 230 amps. According to Krauter, the car will have two settings for regenerative braking, one normal and one sporty — which is to say, you lift off the gas and the aggressive regen will instantly slow the car down as if it had piled into a load of sand. No coasting.
Tesla Roadster Sport first pics
The Tesla Roadster Sport first pics have been released of the new version, 15 percent more powerful than the original, which it resembles. The new version is more expensive than the previous, costing around 112,000 euros compared to 99,000 euros for the Roadster.
The bodywork has been slightly modified with the rear spoiler made of carbon fibre and coloured to specifications, while the main updates occur with the interior. It now features new sports seats, with a redesigned central console with info screen. New adjustable suspension is available, while the transmission has been transferred to pared-back buttons.
The Tesla Roadster Sport reaches 100 km/hr in 3.7 seconds, while the electric motor will run to 14,000 rpm.
Tesla to make 2+2 with Porsche 911 in its sights
Autoblog reports that Tesla could consider a 2+2 model of its Roadster in plans to expand its limited offering. The company currently makes the Roadster and the Model S sedan, which is already seeing success in environmentally conscious American car owners.
The Tesla Roadster is currently hampered in its crowd pleasing ability, with no back seats and limited storage space as well. In an interview, the head of Tesla Elon Musk, said his garage hosts a Roadster and a 911, which he uses to take his kids to school.
Warming to the theme, Musk has revealed that the next Tesla sports car will have more room for rear passengers, and 50 percent more space in the boot than the 911. It will also feature all-wheel drive. If the Model S proves successful enough for Tesla to continue its development, we could even see the Tesla GT by 2012.
Source | Autoblog
1000 orders in for the Tesla Model S
From its headquarters in San Carlos, electric car manufacturer Tesla has released the news that its Model S has already received 1000 orders. The model was launched on March 26, and can be ordered with a deposit of 5,000 dollars, though delivery time is unknown.
Thanks to goverment incentives for environmentally friendly cars, customers buying a Tesla Model S get 7,500 dollars off the purchase price, bringing the electric sedan price down to 50,000 dollars (approximately 37,000 euros).
Source | WCF
Tesla presents its electric sedan, Model S, in California
Tesla has presented a car that promises to be a major breakthrough in car technology: the first practical electric sedan of the world. Named Model S, the new vehicle will only start being delivered by the end of 2011, but it can already be ordered for the ones willing to pay US$ 49,900. In fact, it would cost US$ 57,400, but the North-American government has decided to help by not charging US$ 7,500 in federal taxes.
Model S is a 4.98 m sedan, with a wheelbase of 2.96 m, 1,735 kg of weight and able to carry five adults and two children in retractable seats that face the back of the car at the luggage compartment. If you are concerned about lack of space for your baggage, nevermind: since the engine is not below the hood, the front compartment of the car is also able to transport your things in a trip. Charges can be done in regular electricity outlets of 110V, 220V and 440V. In this last case, recharging takes only 45 minutes.
Since we have mentioned trips, be aware that Model S can reach a top speed of 193 km/h (electronically limited) and goes from 0 to 97 km/h in 5.6 s. Its base model has a range of 258 km, but you can order different battery packs that allow the car to go further, 370 km and 483 km. In case you don’t want to buy these battery packs, you can rent them only to travel. If you don’t want to rent them, Tesla will have battery changing stations in which you can change your discharged battery pack for a fully charged set of batteries in a maximum time of 8 minutes.
Source: Tesla viaAutoblogGreen
Smart Fortwo electric: 1000 batteries from Tesla
Tesla Motors will supply 1,000 battery packs to Mercedes-Benz for installation on the Smart ForTwo EV, the new electric version of the microcar. The project comes from collaboration between the American company, famous for its Roadster, and the German giant Daimler AG.
The work should give some new life to Tesla, with the electric car manufacturer still in high seas in the current economic crisis hitting the automobile sector. The announcement was made by Elon Musk, managing director from Tesla, during an interview at the Detroit auto show.
The Smart ForTwo EV vehicles could even be on sale in the course of this year, with Mercedes evaluating eventual sales in the US of the Smart EV, when production peaks.
Source | Jalopnik.com
100th Tesla Roadster delivered
The 100th Tesla Roadster has been delivered in the course of this last week, showing that perhaps there is still a market out there for the Californian company that specialises in electric cars. While it’s an expensive vehicle at 109,000 USD, a recharge of the battery costs between $2.50 and $5.50 and gives a range of 244 miles.
Difficult times for Tesla have seen a lag in production from the 30 cars a week initially expected to be produced, down to 15. The original target of 30 was set to be reached by spring 2009. As long as the Roadster has its problems, the second model from the company, the Model S sedan, is unlikely to ever see the light of day.
The Tesla company is holding out for some government funding to continue production, which could be difficult in current economic times. Strange though, that governments are prepared to make anti-pollution laws but are often less prepared to finance the very projects that may achieve those aims.
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