Potential electric vehicle buyers were just given the first glimpse of Tesla’s first all-original car, the Model S. The Model S will be the first all-new model to arrive since the launch of the Lotus Elise-based Tesla Roadster five years ago.
In addition to showing off the sleek lines of its upcoming sedan, Tesla promised a high-performance variant of the Model S that CEO Elon Musk said “will go zero to 60 (mph) in 4.5 seconds. That’s faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera.” Porsche NC isn’t so sure.
The 2013 Tesla Model S will be able to accommodate seven passengers (5 adults + 2 children) and it will be available in the middle of next year. It will be rear-wheel drive and it will be able to reach a top speed of 130 mph. After rebates, it will also cost a relatively reasonable $49,900. The Tesla Roadster cost around $100,000.
“The oil companies said electric cars can’t work, but the truth is, they don’t want them to work,” Musk said at a recent media event. “They would say this car is the equivalent of a unicorn. Well, tonight you had the opportunity to ride a unicorn.”
The Model S will be built in Tesla’s new factory in Fremont, CA, which was purchased from Toyota last year. The company has been retooling the factory in preparation for the Model S, as well as other models. When the sedan arrives, it will take on less expensive EVs from Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, to name a few.
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