Tesla Model S priced from below US $50K
Green car manufacturer Tesla has revealed pricing and specs for its Model S four-door EV in the home marketTesla has announced home-market pricing and specs for its upcoming Model S, the midsize sedan platform aimed at taking the EV maker downmarket towards popular affordability. While it comes in considerably under the six-figure Roadster on which the Californian company built its name, starting at US$50K including the $7500 federal tax credit for EVs, the Model S can hardly be called cheap. Prices put it in contention with the mid-size Germans – Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Benz E-Class.
The Model S will offer a choice of four powertrain specs based on three battery pack sizes:
- The base 40kWh pack starts at $49,900. It stores 40kWh of energy, enough for 0-100km/h in about 6.5 seconds; 175km/h top speed with a range of about 255km at highway speed.
- The midspec 60kWh pack from $59,900 (0-100 in about 5.9 seconds; 190km/h top speed; range of 370km at highway speed.)
- Upspec 85kWh pack from $69,900 (0-100 in about 5.6 seconds; 200km/h top speed; range of 480km at highway speed.)
- The Model S Performance, from $79,900, uses a tweaked 85kWh power pack to take it from 0-100km/h in about 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 210km/h. It’s also good for about 480km at highway speeds.
Tesla is launching the Model S in tried-and-true fashion, rolling out top spec models first and following them with lesser versions. The car will debut with the 85kWh battery pack in mid-2012, followed by the 60kWh battery about three months later and the 40 kWh battery towards year’s end.
All battery packs are liquid-cooled Li-ion, driving a liquid-cooled three-phase four-pole AC induction motor. It puts up to 415Nm of torque to the road though a fixed single-gear transmission driving the rear wheels. Tesla has integrated the banks of cells into the floorpan not just to keep the centre of gravity low but to help boost torsional strength and rigidity.
The most striking element of the interior is the 17-inch – yes, 17-inch – touchscreen taking the place of the normal centre stack and assuming all media, navigation, communication and cabin controls.
The Model S Performance comes with air suspension, Nappa leather interior and 21-inch wheels with high-performance tyres as standard. All are optional on lesser models – air suspension and leather are $1500 each, as are a panoramic sunroof and a novel rear-facing dickie seat for kids, turning the Model S into a seven-seater.
The $3750 tech package includes satnav upgrade, rear-view camera, xenon headlamps, LED foglights, keyless entry, power tailgate, electro-dimming wing mirrors, 16GB HDD, two rear USB ports and wi-fi.
All specs get a single charge point. Twin chargers ($1500) halve charging time. A high-powered domestic wall connector is available for $1200. Access to Supercharging – Tesla’s branded rapid-charge network – is not available on the base model, optional on the midspec 60kWh model and standard for the 85kWh models.
The base model comes with 19-inch wheels standard, with aerodynamic rims of the same size available for $1500. Primo 21-inch alloys with high-performance tyres cost $3500. Performance buyers get 21s standard; they can opt for the softer 19s at no extra cost.
Tesla is offering eight years’ warranty on all battery packs, with 100K miles on the base 40kWh; 125k on the midspec 60kWh and unlimited miles on the top-shelf 85kWh
The company says global foreign exchange volatility precludes announcements on pricing outside the US for the time being. It expects to announce pricing about six months before going on sale in other markets.
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