Autoblog

2012 Tesla Model S [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, First Drives, Tesla, Electric

Proof That An Impressive Sport Sedan Doesn't Need To Burn Dead Dino Juice

One-hundred years from now, the Smithsonian museum at our nation's capital will host a display of history's most revolutionary automobiles. The collection will include the 1866 Dudgeon steam wagon (one of the earliest self-propelled vehicles), the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen (recognized as the first combustion-powered automobile) and the 1908 Ford Model T (the first automobile mass produced on an assembly line).

Most certainly included, among the dozen or so other pioneering automobiles, will be a 2012 Tesla Model S.

Slightly more than a few years after the first prototype debuted in March of 2009, Autoblog was able to spend an evening with an early production model of the innovative all-electric sedan touted as "the next step to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility." Much has been said and written about Tesla's enormous undertaking, but we brushed off the hype, ignored the rumors and cut through the layers of misinformation. It was time to drive.

After several inquisitive hours behind the wheel, we were smitten - the Tesla Model S really is the world's first practical, no-compromise, non-combustion automobile.

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2012 Tesla Model S [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahalo CEO Jason Calacanis giving away his Tesla Model S (you know, when he gets it)

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Tesla, Electric

Tesla Model S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jason Calacanis, CEO of Mahalo.com and erstwhile founder of Weblogs Inc. (of which Autoblog and AutoblogGreen are a part) is a big fan of Tesla, and now he's announced that he's giving one away. Calacanis is already the owner of an early Tesla Roadster which he let us drive in late 2008. Even before he took delivery of his Roadster, Calacanis announced his intention to buy the company's second vehicle, the Model S. When Tesla unveiled the sedan last spring, Calacanis made good on his promise and put down deposits on two of the upcoming electric car, including serial #1.

Now Calacanis wants to give away his second Model S by getting his newly established Twitter account @auto to number 1 on the micro-blogging service. That position is currently held by actor and cougar-catcher Ashton Kutcher who has over 4.2 million followers. As this is written, @auto is up to almost 1,000 followers after only one hour. If you want a crack at a free Model S, just follow @auto.

Gallery: Tesla Model S in motion

[Source: Jason Calacanis]

Mahalo CEO Jason Calacanis giving away his Tesla Model S (you know, when he gets it) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Tesla Model S teaser surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Green

Click above to view enhanced version of Tesla Model S teaser

Over at Jason Calacanis' blog, a new teaser shot of the Tesla Model S has surfaced that shows a bit more detail of the car's greenhouse profile. According to Jason, the photo was emailed to buyers of the Signature 100 cars, of which he is one. We got our first glimpse of the new car last week but this one shows more. Most of the car appears to be hidden in this image but there are details if you know how to look. A visit to the curves adjustment in Photoshop reveals the same fender trim seen on the earlier shot as well as the wheels. In the adjusted version, the door handles and side glass profile are also visible, as is the glass roof. We don't know at this point if the glass roof will be part of the production model, although it could be problematic for an EV. The extra thermal load would have the air conditioning working harder and thus cut into the range. You can check out the enhanced photo after the jump.

Tesla has opened the reservation list for the Signature Series and Jason is so happy with his Roadster that he has decided to order two Model S Signature Series sedans. Right now, only early adopters of the Roadster can get on the list for a $40,000 refundable deposit. Following the March 26 reveal, anyone will be able to order one for a $10,000 deposit, and if you already own a Roadster, you'll get $10,000 off the price of a Model S. Don't forget the enhanced version of the Model S teaser after the jump. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

[Source: Calacanis.com]

Continue reading New Tesla Model S teaser surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

New Tesla Model S teaser surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Orange you glad Jason Calacanis let us drive his Tesla Roadster?

John Neff — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green

Click above for high-res image gallery of Jason's Tesla Roadster

For those who don't know Jason Calacanis, he is an original co-founder of Weblogs, Inc. As such, he is also an original founder of Autoblog and AutoblogGreen, and though his tastes lie more towards the tech side of things, he always took in interest in cars. It's no surprise then that after moving on from Weblogs, Inc. and AOL to his newest project, the human-powered search engine called Mahalo, Jason put in one of the very first orders for a Tesla Roadster. That was many, many months ago, and about a week and a half ago, his car was finally delivered.

AutoblogGreen graciously accepted Jason's invitation to swing by Mahalo's offices in Santa Monica to catch up on old times and take the Tesla out for a spin. Jason's is one of the first Roadsters with the new v1.5 drivetrain installed, and as ABG points out, he was much more willing than most owners of a six-figure car to let us drive it.

A week later we had our own Drew Phillips meet up with Jason and his Roadster to do a proper SoCal photoshoot of the car. We absolutely love this car's paint job, which is a premium option called Very Orange with matching interior accents. Check out the full photoshoot in our high-res gallery below and ABG's video of the reunion with our founder by clicking here.

Gallery: Jason Calacanis' Tesla Roadster

All photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Orange you glad Jason Calacanis let us drive his Tesla Roadster? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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