This morning we recieved spy photos of the 2013 Tesla Model S testing in Michigan under circumstances we're certain no range-anxiety-dismissing Tesla owner will ever find themselves: Hooked up to a flat bed tow truck.
These spy shots virtually the same Tesla Model S we saw in earlier photos released from the company. This is the version without the LED driving lights, but the vents on the pre-production photos have been filled with fog lights. All of the chrome surrounds have been removed, but the general shape of the grille does appear to mirror the teaser shots.
The Tesla model S will be priced from $77,400 to start with lower cost versions coming in at $57,400 and $67,400. These each feature their own range rating; 300 miles, 160 miles and 230 miles respectively.
firstwagon says:
12:10 PM, 06/30/11
Still find it hard to believe they can build a car from scratch (without borrowing an existing pre- EPA approved chassis), include a battery that will go 160 miles and still sell it for $57,400.
It's been vapourware long enough now that I say prove it.
greenpony says:
12:46 PM, 06/30/11
firstwagon, what do you think this car costs sans drivetrain? Add in a battery and an electric motor, and the development already spend on the Roadster... and $60-80k sounds about right to me.
firstwagon says:
01:07 PM, 06/30/11
Greenpony
That's a good question. It's tough to say because there are very few small automakers around but since it seems like a premium car I would guess it should cost in the $40K to $50K range with a gas engine at the minimum.
The big question is how much will a battery that large cost? I read recently that the Volts battery cost $16K. This would need to be much larger then the Volts.
I think they will be losing quite a bit of money per car at that price.
throwback says:
01:14 PM, 06/30/11
firstwagon, I think we need to look to the Brit specialty car market, Morgan, Bristol, noble, TVR etc, to get a guage of what this car "should" cost. It does seem rather inexpensive, but I recall the roadster's price zooming up once it was on sale.
greenpony says:
01:31 PM, 06/30/11
I'd wager that you're about as well informed of Tesla's financial status as I am. If they feel they can sell it at that price, then I guess that's what they'll ask.
But back to the point in your original comment. "Prove it." Do you think this is just a dog and pony show? Something to continue whetting the buying public's (and investors') appetites?
cjasis says:
01:39 PM, 06/30/11
Careful Tesla don't sue you for suggesting their cars will end up on flat beds or have range issues as they did Top Gear.
firstwagon says:
01:46 PM, 06/30/11
I've seen more then a few high tech companies (including where I work now) that love to make big claims to the media and investors in order to keep interest (and share price) up.
I hope they can do it at this price but I've been hearing about this car for long enough now to be doubtful. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
It would be impressive if they can pull it off when the big car companies have nothing to compete with it.
jm1212 says:
02:53 PM, 06/30/11
now, let's see if these cars can keep up with the ever-increasing levels of battery technology. laptop batteries are getting more and more efficient with every product cycle, so let's hope that translates well to the automotive industry.
kyolml says:
10:28 PM, 06/30/11
it doesn't even look that close to that driving prototype
viss1 says:
06:19 AM, 07/ 1/11
Don't forget Toyota owns a chunk of Tesla. Development costs for given components/systems could very well be split and amortized throughout various models/projects.
michael_s says:
06:49 AM, 07/ 1/11
When Tesla announced the Model S sedan, they said it would go on sale in 2012. In order for something to be vaporware, it has to miss its projected sale date. So it's not vaporware. It may become vaporware next year, but it's not vaporware yet.
ctizzle says:
07:44 AM, 07/ 1/11
OMG....I saw this thing broken down on my way home on I-696. My brother thought it was a Jag XJ, but I KNEW it was a Tesla. I shoulda doubled back and took a picture myself!!! He was just on the side of the road...the tow truck hadn't arrived yet.
firstwagon says:
09:34 AM, 07/ 1/11
michael_s
I thought I first heard 2010 but I could be wrong.
nj2481 says:
02:35 PM, 07/ 1/11
The battery of a conventional electric vehicle differs with the battery in the model S.
The batteries in the roadsters, for example, have to be a certain shape to be shoehorned in vehicles whose designs have been tweaked from the petrol versions. That "battery block" costs a lot more to produce than the battery block in the model S, which is essentially just a big flat array of batteries. This has 2 benefits, the first being that designing in a particular desired weight distribution is easy, AND the cost of producing, servicing, and replacing the battery is lower.
Essentially, the model S was designed from the ground up, so certain things that cost more to do in a gas -> electric retrofit (i.e. having a battery) actually cost less for the model S and have the added benefit of improving performance.
jscion says:
02:19 PM, 07/ 2/11
Tesla is an impressive brand and their cars are very beautiful if not taking alot of style from Jaguar, Aston Martin and Maserati. I'd be interested to see what the quality of them is like in ten years when they've been around for a while.
atomicgas says:
12:57 PM, 07/ 4/11
your tax money on display.
this might have chassis from some toyota vehicle.
evjuice says:
05:06 PM, 07/ 4/11
The gvmnet money is a loan.
The early prototype was a Mercedes redress. This is the Alfa. They have opened the build room to show this one being built from he ground up. see here http://gigaom.com/cleantech/photos-inside-teslas-model-s-alpha-workshop/
angry_mushroom says:
10:03 PM, 07/ 4/11
Weren't these supposed to go on sale before the Volt? Build quality looks a bit iffy as well.
tacoderp1 says:
01:57 PM, 07/ 5/11
Towtruck is standard with all new tesla models for 2012.
car_battery says:
12:18 AM, 08/15/11
Wow, great article. I just know check the car battery from outside to inside. If there is any crack found, it have to be replaced. More information from Leoch International, http://www.leoch.com