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 to build California factory for Model S sedan production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/tesla-to-build-california-factory-for-model-s-sedan-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/tesla-to-build-california-factory-for-model-s-sedan-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/17/tesla-to-build-california-factory-for-model-s-sedan-production/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The 2011 Chevy Volt has been getting the lion's share of news on the EV front, but it could be jostling for attention in late 2010 with an all-EV sedan from Tesla. Tesla has secured $100 million in private equity and another $150 million in loan guarantees from the federal government to build a new factory in San Jose, CA. The company on Wednesday announced that the facility would build the $60,000 Model S sedan, which was originally dubbed Whitestar. The new Tesla plant will be able to produce 11,000 Model S sedans per year by the end of 2011, giving customers a much more mainstream EV entry than the $100,000 Tesla Roadster.

We haven't heard too much about the Model S sedan, but earlier in the year Tesla co-founder Elan Musk said there could be a fully functioning prototype and a finalized design by the end of 2008. We're with you in hoping it looks as good as the Tesla Roadster while providing similar range in a more family-friendly package.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Tesla to build California factory for Model S sedan production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleElectricVehicleTesla motorstesla roadsterTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterwhite starWhiteStarWed, 17 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Tesla Motors working with Daimler?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/is-tesla-motors-working-with-daimler/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/is-tesla-motors-working-with-daimler/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/is-tesla-motors-working-with-daimler/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A few months back, Tesla Motors revealed that its upcoming WhiteStar sedan would be available in two variants, a pure battery electric like the Roadster and a range-extended electric more like the Chevy Volt. We still don't have many details on the car, although we do know that lessons learned while working on the drivetrain for the heavier sedan have been fed back into the Roadster for its updated 2.0 drivetrain.

As a small start-up with limited resources, developing a new engine for the WhiteStar would obviously be problematic. Tesla Chairman Elon Musk let slip in an interview with Fox Business News that the company has reached a technology deal with German giant Daimler (formerly of DaimlerChrysler infamy). Without any official comment from Tesla yet (we'll update you when we here something), one possible scenario for the deal is that Daimler will provide engines for the range extended WhiteStar. Daimler has always struggled to make money from Smart and the micro-car builder has a 1.0L three cylinder engine that might make a good range extender. If Daimler supplied 10,000 or so of those engines to Tesla, it could help drive down Daimler's costs. The other possibility is that Tesla might be licensing battery management technology to Daimler, but that scenario seems less likely.

Update: Tesla VP Darryl Siry declined comment on the matter.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req'd]

Is Tesla Motors working with Daimler? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>range extenderRangeExtendertesal motorsTesalMotorstesla daimlerTeslaDaimlerwhitestarThu, 12 Jun 2008 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Tesla Roadster gets some screen time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/video-tesla-roadster-gets-some-screen-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/video-tesla-roadster-gets-some-screen-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/06/video-tesla-roadster-gets-some-screen-time/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image to view video

It seems that every fall we get a slight reprieve from the ridiculous gas prices of the summer season, but this year prices seem to be headed further north. With the bleak outlook at the pump, it's comforting to see a Tesla Roadster on public roads. Veronica Belmont from Mahalo Daily (also a semi-regular on Leo Laporte's This Week in Tech podcast) got some very exclusive time with Zak Edson of Tesla Motors to discuss the famous roadster, and a chauffeured ride came as part of the package.

The Tesla Roadster is decidedly quiet, even though its 13,000 rpm motor can propel the car to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Edson also showed how letting a foot off the accelerator gives the battery a regenerative charge that also helps keep wear and tear on the brakes to a min. Since the Tesla roadster is 100% electric, the two-seater will always need access to a battery charger to remain relevant, and Edson shared Tesla's plan to include a 220-volt charge system with every vehicle purchase. We like the way the LED display in the charge compartment changes colors to show the driver where the lithium ion battery pack is in the charge cycle, as well as the charge port that lights up a different color depending on how charged the batteries are.

Check out the vid after the jump and enjoy seeing the Tesla Roadster actually being used. What a concept!

[Soure: Mahalo Daily]

Continue reading VIDEO: Tesla Roadster gets some screen time

VIDEO: Tesla Roadster gets some screen time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SedanTesla MotorsTesla RoadsterTeslaMotorsTeslaRoadsterWhite StarWhiteStarTue, 06 Nov 2007 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla sedan won't feature Ford chassis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/tesla-sedan-wont-feature-ford-chassis/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/tesla-sedan-wont-feature-ford-chassis/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/15/tesla-sedan-wont-feature-ford-chassis/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Looks like Tesla won't be dipping into the Ford parts bin for its upcoming all-EV family sedan, at least not very heavily. The Silicon Valley-based green carmaker had been rumored to be considering the Fusion/Milan/MKZ platform for its new 4-door flyer. Tesla Motors, however, has reiterated that it has no plans to use any outside firm for such a large part of its so-called "WhiteStar" project.

But the rumors persist. Ward's Auto, for one, has reportedly pointed out how easy it would be to use Ford's CD3 platform, because the vehicles are built at the nearby Ford plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. To that claim, Tesla spokesman David Vespremi admitted they may have used some minor assemblies from Ford on the Roadster, but that they will definitely not share whole platforms with any major automaker. Tesla plans to open a $35 million facility in Albuquerque and will work directly with suppliers rather than OEMs for the Roadster and upcoming WhiteStar projects.

The Roadster has garnered a lot of attention, and more importantly, a lot of orders for this tiny company. The Lotus Elise-inspired sports car has shown that you can have lots of driving fun while still being green, with a 0-60 mph time around four seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. Those lithium-ion batteries also provide a reasonable range of up to 250 miles, although likely not after a day of blasts to 60. Expanding the lineup to include this expected $50-60,000 sedan and potentially a crossover will only broaden their appeal.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Tesla sedan won't feature Ford chassis originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenelectric carElectricCarFord FusionFordFusionRoadsterTeslaWhiteStarThu, 15 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST