Tesla reveals new sedan

It will accelerate from 0-96km/h in 5.6 seconds, uses no petrol, can travel over 480km on a single charge and seats seven people. But the best news, for Australian’s anyway, is that the new Tesla Model S sedan will be built in right-hand drive.

After impressing everyone with the Tesla Roadster recently (more here) the US electric car company has publically revealed its new sedan in California today. The Model S is being billed as the first mass-produced highway-capable electric passenger car.

The sleek looking four-door has been designed by Franz von Holzhausen and showcases the Californian-based operation's new design language. The distinctive nose with large single opening and narrow headlights will become the face of all future models.

Power for the Model S comes from a nine-inch motor that in basic form produces 42kW and is mated to a floor-mounted battery pack. In this form the car is capable of traveling 257km on a single charge. But Tesla will also offer packages to extend the car's range to either 370km or 482km on a single charge.

The car uses a single-speed transaxle gearbox and although currently two-wheel drive there will eventually be all-wheel drive models available.

Tesla has paid close attention to every aspect of the car's efficiency and 'eco-friendly' credentials. Through the extensive use of aluminum for the bodywork the Model S weighs in at just over 1700kg with 544kg of that being made up of the batteries.

Overall length is 4.9-metres but thanks to clever design and because there is no engine under the bonnet the Model S can accommodate up to five adults and two children as well as their luggage. The company also claims the car can fit a mountain bike with wheels on, surfboard and a 50-inch flat panel television all at the same time, thanks to its oversized hatch at the rear.

But Tesla has also worked heavily on the car's performance. With all the engine's torque available instantly, the sedan can sprint from 0-96km/h in 5.6 seconds and a planned sports model will lower that number to "well under five seconds", according to Tesla chief Elon Musk. Top speed of the car will be over 190km/h.

The interior is devoid of buttons thanks to a 17-inch touchscreen that takes prime position in the centre of the dashboard. It controls all the car's functions, including radio and satellite navigation, and is capable of being fully customised to each owner's specifications. The car is fully 3G-capable and equipped for wireless internet.

The leather used for the interior trim is chrome-free vegetable tanned and the carpets are made from recycled material while the exterior paint is water based to help the car's green credibility.

Work is already underway on establishing battery charging infrastructure around the United States. Tesla claims it is working with an undisclosed government-affiliated organisation to get the charging stations built that will allow owners to recharge the car in less than eight minutes.

The bad news is production is not due to begin until the third quarter of 2011 and initially the company will be focused on the US and Europe. Prices will start at US$49,900 after a tax break which Tesla claims represents a saving of between US$10-15,000 compared to an equivalent petrol-powered sedan under current fuel prices.

But with a right-hand drive variant already on the agenda we could eventually see the Tesla Model S headed to Australia -- especially with production set to ramp up to 20,000 units per annum by the end of 2012.