The most beautiful EV coming in 2012 : Tesla Model S
 

This is by far the most beautifully crafted EV i have seen to date, and it's coming in 2012.

http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/def.../may2011_1.jpg
http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/def.../may2011_3.jpg
http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/def...3_4_static.jpg
http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/def...S_2009_785.jpg
http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/def...all_models.jpg

Three battery options are offered: 160-, 230-, or 300-mile range. Model S comes standard with the 160-mile range battery at the quoted $49,900 base price (after the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit). The 230-mile and 300-mile range batteries are optional upgrades. The 230-mile range option is priced at about $10,000 more than the base and the 300-mile option at about $20,000 more than the base.

Specs:
0-60mph: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 125mph
Hp: ~300
Torque: ~300
Seats: 7
Range: 160,230,300 miles (depending on battery)
Weight: Approximately 4000lbs.

Yes, it looks like Tesla will be coming out with another beauty. Is this one their own chassis or bought from someone else too?

Let us know how it rides when you get yours. ;)

Looks like they are using an Aston Martin/older Jag chassis...which is fine by me, they picked a nice looking chassis to base it off of.

Beautiful? Eye of the beholder, I guess, 'cause I think it's ugly & oversized.

Now if they'd just bring out an updated version of the Roadster, at maybe $30-40K, that would be a true thing of beauty :-)

yah, I'm more partial to this personally :) Especially from the modder angle.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7AHFbFOAexA/S9...7TN0/DD001.jpg

I'd be afraid to own a $50k car.

It does look a bit Jag-ish, doesn't it? I wonder if it's XF-based. This is a good opportunity for Tesla to break into the middle class market with the base model although I have a feeling that most will be top-of-the-range 300-mile models sold to rich early-adopter types.

Either way I hope that they make a RHD version. I'll start saving :D

4000lb, needs to be on a diet .

I did a school project on Tesla and part of the business strategy they use is to sell the new cars at a higher price and as production increases and additional models get the older tech they developed the prices will drop. See Tesla BlueStar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Considering that batteries are the heaviest things on Mother Earth I should say that 4000lbs isn't all that bad. It's about 200lbs heavier than a BMW 5-series, which is the class in which it's competing, I should think. 200lbs is nothing to sniff at but all things considered it seems reasonable. Might even give the thing a better ride.

This isn't based on any other car. The chassis development was done in house with input from Toyota and Mercedes which are investors in Tesla. There will be a Lexus version a year after the model S is released also built in the former NUMMI plant. It is rear drive with the motor built into the rear axle. The battery pack is a 3" thick flat panel that fits under the floors between the axles

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