Tesla Full-Size All-Electric Sedan: The Tesla Model S Sedan
Tesla Model S sedan an all-electric full-size sedan. It is capable of offering ample seating and cargo space in the trunk and under the hood. While the standard model seats five, it’s available with an optional rear-facing booster seat suitable for two children. Because the Tesla Sedan is not limited by gas tanks, catalytic converters and any internal combustion engine (ICE).
This brings the total seating availability to seven, making this car suitable for even the largest families. Tesla’s sedan debuted at the 2011 North American Auto Show, and the prototype’s promises of 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph shatter stereotypes about electric vehicles.
The Model S is still in the testing stages, over 10 million miles of real-world driving feedback from drivers who own the Tesla Roaster have gone into the creation of the Model S. These appear to have had a good use, with Model S now with three battery options; an output of 300kW or 400 hp; and a charging model compatible with standard 110-volt outlets, 220-volt outlets and fast-charging stations.
The three battery options for the Tesla Model S sedan give the car a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles. The sedan comes standard with the 160-mile range battery, with the 230-mile and 300-mile range options as upgrades costing an additional $10,000 and $20,000, respectively.
The base price of the Model S is listed at $49,900 after the federal tax credit.
Tesla Motors has stated that their goal is for the Model S to achieve the NTHSB’s five-star safety rating for frontal impact collisions by 2012. They have also designed the car so that the battery pack actually serves as part of the structure of the car. vehicle.
The battery is located under the floor of the stylish sedan, allowing the car to drive effortlessly. Model S comes with a “Power Electronics Module” connected directly to the battery from the engine and gearbox, which improves response times and efficiency by minimizing the distance electrical impulses must travel to power the engine. car.
As a nod to its Silicon Valley ancestry, Tesla Motors has taken pains to retain the sports car feel of the Roadster in the Model S. To this end, the Model S has been designed with rear-wheel drive and its powertrain in the rear. . .
Unlike the Tesla Roadster, which was built on the Lotus Elise chassis, the Model S was designed entirely in-house. This, combined with the knowledge gleaned from the Roadster’s 10 million miles of real-world driving, means the Model S is truly a one-of-a-kind sedan. Among the features that were optimized when the Model S was designed was a battery that, in addition to being part of the car’s structure, is located toward the rear of the car, along with the motor and power electronics, which sit between the rear wheels to increase response and handling. However, the car only features a single-speed gearbox.
Charge times for the standard battery with a range of 160 miles take just 45 minutes at a fast charging station. A 220-volt outlet, like the ones you plug major appliances into, can charge Model S overnight. It’s compatible with the 110-volt outlets that are standard in every home, but since these draw fewer amps, expect significantly longer charge times. Model S can also be charged through a dedicated solar panel charging unit that is powered from the wall outlet.
Tesla claims to have moved beyond the “memory effect” that has plagued other electric batteries. The car uses lithium-ion cells, which do not exhibit memory effect and will not lose a significant charge if it is parked and not driven for an extended period. However, it is recommended that the battery be plugged in when not in use to preserve battery life. Current estimates show that after seven years or 100,000 miles, the battery should retain 70% of its standard power.
As with any electric car, it is important to note that the use of accessories such as air conditioning and driving conditions and speed affect the range of the car. Expect the climate control to take up five to ten percent of the car’s range, while most other accessories won’t affect range much. Driving conditions, speed and weather can also significantly affect battery range and should be planned accordingly.
Model S is also designed to perform well in extreme operating conditions. The battery packs come equipped with recirculating propylene glycol that acts to cool or heat the battery as needed, meaning the car will keep going in hot Tucson summers or harsh Maine winters.
It is important to note that because the battery pack is part of the car’s design, the size of the battery does not change. Only his ability does. What this means is that for the standard 160-mile range battery, the company has used a different battery design than is used for its 230-mile and 300-mile range batteries. While specs related to battery weight have not been provided, batteries will most likely weigh the same regardless of which battery range is purchased.
To purchase a Model S, those interested will need to make a reservation. Tesla’s reservation for the Model S will cost $5,000 and is fully refundable. Although annual production is planned to reach 20,000, only 5,000 to 7,000 are planned for the 2012 production year as the company is working towards full production capacity.
Additionally, some may be interested in reserving a Model S Signature sedan. The reservation fee for the Model S Signature sedan is $40,000 and, like reservations for the standard Model S, is fully refundable. The Model S Signature is a limited-edition sedan that will be produced before the standard Model S goes into production. The first 1,000 Model S produced for the US and the first 200 produced for Canada will be Model S Signature sedans. It will come standard with the 300-mile range battery pack, and while it remains tight-lipped on specific details, the company promises that the Model S Signature, as a limited-edition model, will offer a range of standard upgraded features and may include colors and other features. . Options not available on the standard Model S. The Tesla Roadster sports car has a base price of $109,000. The Model S Signature, with a range of 300 miles, is rumored to have an MSRP of $80,000.
Production is scheduled to begin in mid-2012 with Model S Signature sedans. When they are complete, the Model S sedan will go into production. Reservation holders can expect to take a test drive in early 2012. If the reservation holder wishes to cancel their reservation and receive a full refund, that is when they should make that decision.
Approximately three months before the car goes into production, the reservation holder will be asked to work with the company to configure their car. The options and the prices of those options have not yet been finalized, but when they are, each reservation holder will have the opportunity to design their car to their comfort specifications.
The company currently has 17 stores around the world with more planned. While this might alarm those who live far from the nearest shop and need their car serviced, these concerns have been addressed in the form of a service ranger program. This program sends trained technicians to homeowners’ homes in even the most remote locations.
In keeping with its Silicon Valley image, the Tesla Model S sedan will be built at its Freemont, CA plant. All car testing is done on site, so plant managers have a chance to work with engineers. The company promises that this ensures that quality is built into the design. The car is currently in alpha stage testing. These more than 20 vehicles will be individually tested over 250,000 miles and undergo crash tests before testing moves to Beta vehicles for refinement. Once the fine-tuning is complete, the Model S Signature sedan will go into production, followed by the standard Model S.
It’s natural to be skeptical of any startup, especially one like Tesla with such a shaky image. But as we always say, product is king, and Tesla already has a proven product on the way. While the Model S has yet to prove itself, the Tesla Roadster has exceeded all expectations. If this car can do everything it claims, electric vehicles will have come of age. So far, it looks like performance has been optimized, as has comfort.
Being able to charge the car from a standard wall outlet is a definite plus that opens up new avenues for travel, and the fact that the car seats seven means this is an electric car that’s not just designed for families of two. If the Model S is successful, it will be a huge success for this new venture and a breakthrough in all-electric technology.