The Tesla S sets speed records. A model S was recently clocked completing a 12.371 second quarter-mile, and 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. FYI watch here as the Model S smokes a Dodge Viper SR 10!
For the record, Dragtimes.com gives 12.7 sec at 105.3 mph in the standing quarter for the Tesla. So, there is no doubt of the quality of the Roadster.
People who own Roadsters certainly love the cars and organize Roadster Rally events and such. No matter, the Roadster is out of production. Enter the Model S, (some of) The Peoples Tesla.
Tesla S
The 2012 Tesla Model S is about half the price of the Roadster. The S offers three different battery packs, plus battery switching technology with the packs for greater convenience. Specifications for the S battery configurations are here.
The Model S is a luxury sedan and is not budget priced either. The price varies with battery pack size and range. The options are: 160 miles, 230 miles, and 300 miles. The 160 miler starts at $57,400 US; the 230-mile pack at $67,000; topping out at $77,000 for the 300 mile pack. The first production run is 5,000 in 2012 with a second run of 20,000 cars in 2013, according to Tesla representatives.
The S will hopefully be popular enough to bump up sales for the Tesla Motor Company. The S has top reviews so far. A few others have managed to cop a quick drive in the S and liked it so far. Let’s hope the positive trend continues.
Tesla S and Model X Sales
Tesla has gotten 500 reservations for its Model X SUV. The U.S. Department of energy hopes so. Tesla is to begin payment on its $400 million loans in December 2012. At $100,000 per car, Tesla needs to sell 5,333 to pay back the loans. The company sold around 1,500 units in 2012.
On slow sales, as of April 2013, Tesla will no longer offer the $50,000, 40 kW model.
Tesla Business
Some 2,400 or so Tesla Roadsters have been sold worldwide. The cars are popular but not profitable for the company. The company does not release exact sales figures.
By Q1 of 2013, Tesla announced some sales stats: The company reported building 2,750 cars while delivering 2,400 to buyers from October first to Dec. 31, 2012. In the first three months of 2013, the Model S managed to sell an estimated 4,750 units.
By May of 2013, Tesla claims a market cap of $7.9 Billion, bigger than Fiat the majority shareholder of Chrysler, and non-EV maker. Tesla estimates it will deliver 21,000 Model
S units is 2013.
The all aluminum Tesla S gets 2013
car of the year from Automobile Magazine
and Motor Trend
Magazine!
Will the Tesla electric car ever be mass marketed seems to be a central question regarding the cutting edge EV. The Tesla Roadster is undeniably cool. It is also undeniably expensive at $110,000 US plus. Any discussion of this car by wage earners will return to price sooner or later.
In term of range, the Roadster is unsurpassed for a production EV. Several records have been set: one at 311 miles in level Australia, and another at 357 miles on a single charge in the flats of Central Valley, CA. Speeds were 25 mph or so.
The Tesla Roadster used to cost about as much as the base model Tango electric car. The monthly payments for most people would probably be about the same as the Tango electric car at around $2,000 a month. Since the first production run has ended, the cost will like go up.
The Tesla Roadster can run with the Porsche types on the road, or smoke tires off the line in the quarter mile. Then it can return around 200 or better miles on a charge. It is an extremely well engineered and built car. Tesla Company claims are verified by Road and Track. Performance specifications are here.
