Tesla’s first luxury electric sedan, the Model S, hits the market
Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors delivered the first ten new Model S sedans to customers this week. The cars were the Signature performance model and debuted at Tesla’s Fremont, Calif. factory on June 22nd, nearly a month before their previously-reported July delivery date.
More than 5,000 customers will receive their pre-ordered Model S sedans this year while more than 10,000 orders (deposits in hand) are currently outstanding for the popular luxury vehicle. The company hopes to sell another 5,000 before the end of 2012.
The vehicle “seats five adults and two children in optional, rear-facing seats” and can go from 0 to 50 mph in 4.4 seconds. The new Tesla can go for 265 miles before it needs recharged.
Tesla is advertising the Model S as a “premium electric vehicle that is raising the bar on value, performance and efficiency while getting people excited about cars again.”
Pretty big claim, but Tesla’s chief technology officer seems confident that the cutting-edge integrated computer in the Model S will exceed consumer expectations.
“With the power of Nvidia Tegra, we are able to deliver a visually stunning in-vehicle experience to our customers and put rich content at their fingertips,” said Straubel in a statement.
Nvidia’s Tegra Visual Computing Module (VCM) is similar to Tegra technology used in smartphones and tablets, and is integrated into the new Tesla with a 17″ “infotainment and navigation system.” The VCM will operate everything in the Model S from navigation to music to phone calls. It will also provide connected services and climate control options.
PCMag reports that another “Tegra chipset from Nvidia will also powers the car’s all-digital instrument cluster in the dash that can be customized to a driver’s tastes via the multifunction steering wheel.”
Sounds pretty sweet.
Sticker price for the Model S ranges from $95,400 to $105,400, depending on the options selected. The U.S. also offers a $7,500 federal tax credit to Tesla owners.













