Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Tesla lifts the skirt on the Model S, full exposure coming March 26]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/tesla-lifts-the-skirt-on-the-model-s-full-exposure-coming-march/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/tesla-lifts-the-skirt-on-the-model-s-full-exposure-coming-march/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/tesla-lifts-the-skirt-on-the-model-s-full-exposure-coming-march/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the Model S to enlarge

A couple months back, we got a glimpse of the rear bumper of Tesla's Model S via a BusinessWeek article on the company. Early this morning, we finally got an official shot from the company that provides some real clues. Given the past history between Tesla and Fisker Automotive, the obvious comparison is with the Karma. One difference that's immediately obvious is the length of the nose. Since Tesla opted to go with batteries only for energy storage, designer Franz von Holzhausen didn't have to accommodate a range extender under the hood. The whole car appears to be at least a foot shorter than the Karma.

At this point, Tesla plans to offer the Model S with several battery options; the base setup will provide a 160 mile nominal range. Like the Roadster, the motor in the Model S drives the rear wheels. We'll be seeing the rest of the car on March 26, by which time Tesla hopes to have a final decision on its DOE loan application so that they can make other announcements about production.

[Source: Tesla]

Tesla lifts the skirt on the Model S, full exposure coming March 26 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinggreenteslatesla model stesla model s teasertesla motorsTeslaModelSTeslaModelSTeaserteslamotorsThu, 12 Feb 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: R&T takes a guess at Tesla's Model S]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/25/rendered-speculation-randt-takes-a-guess-at-teslas-model-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/25/rendered-speculation-randt-takes-a-guess-at-teslas-model-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/25/rendered-speculation-randt-takes-a-guess-at-teslas-model-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Road and Track has taken an early speculative look at what Tesla's Model S sedan may look like. Of course, it's impossible to know for sure how close this rendering may be to the real thing, but it's always fun to guess, right? We can see some clear inspiration taken from the company's first effort, the Tesla Roadster, along with a hint of Nissan GT-R in its flanks. We know for sure that the rear of the car will feature a deeply sloping hatchback, like the Porsche Panamera, and R&T's artists seem to have that feature down, as well.

We've actually gotten an early peek at the Model S from the rear via Tesla's new design chief Franz von Holzhausen, formerly of Mazda fame, which shows a nice carbon fiber rear diffuser and an aerodynamically sound cut-off hind end. Unfortunately, the Model S has been delayed by roughly six months due to the tough economic climate and some massive reorganization taking place at the Silicon Valley automaker. We don't expect to see the fully developed car until next Spring. Thanks for the tip, Kunal!

[Source: Road & Track]

Rendered Speculation: R&T takes a guess at Tesla's Model S originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>teslatesla model stesla model s renderingtesla model s teasertesla motorstesla roadsterTeslaModelSTeslaModelSRenderingTeslaModelSTeaserTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterSat, 25 Oct 2008 22:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla teases freshly delayed Model S sedan ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/tesla-teases-freshly-delayed-model-s-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/tesla-teases-freshly-delayed-model-s-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/tesla-teases-freshly-delayed-model-s-sedan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The image has been removed at the photographer's request, to view it visit BusinessWeek.

BusinessWeek has a story about last week's trials and tribulations at Tesla Motors, which wraps up most of what we already know, along with some new details. The investment bankers called up Tesla chairman Elon Musk to let him know that the company's IPO plans weren't going to fly in the current financial markets. Musk and the management team reacted quickly by slashing 25% of the company's workforce, shutting down the Rochester Hills, MI engineering office and pretty much halting all non-revenue producing work. That meant the much anticipated Model S sedan was put on the back burner until more cash was flowing into the coffers. Now, the four-door electric sport sedan won't be going into production until at least 2011.

Tesla SVP Darryl Siry tipped us off that the story was being published tonight and more importantly, to the presence of the photo you see above. That's recently hired Tesla design boss Franz von Holzhausen revealing a wee bit of the tail of the Model S. Siry tells us that we probably won't be seeing the whole car until the Geneva Motor Show next March. In the meantime, this is probably just the first of a series of teasers that will appear to keep the publicity pot boiling.

[Source: BusinessWeek via AutoblogGreen]

Tesla teases freshly delayed Model S sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>teslatesla evtesla model stesla model s teasertesla motorstesla sedantesla whitestarTeslaEvTeslaModelSTeslaModelSTeaserteslamotorsTeslaSedanTeslaWhitestarThu, 23 Oct 2008 20:40:00 EST