Tesla has sold about 1500 of EV Roadsters globally since its debut in 2008. It’s a small number, particularly when compared to how many Toyota sells a week around the world.
But Tesla hopes its Model S will bring a practical, stylish electric sedan to more garages at about half the price of the EV Roadster.
The development of the five-seater Model S has been a long and twisty road, but Tesla final has rolled out the car for testing.
“The first Alpha (test car) is amazingly agile for a car of its size. It has great handling balance and a poised ride with communicative steering. Just goes to show what combining a low center of gravity with a very stiff body structure can achieve,” said test driver Graham Sutherland.
Tesla says it will be road testing the alpha Model S in the next few months to improve the car’s handling dynamics.
When in production, customers will be able to specify the Model S with three battery pack options that provide driving ranges of 160, 230 or 300 miles.
The Model S will be priced at about $49,000.00 including the $7,500 federal tax credit. Its estimated 0-60 mph speed will be 5.6 seconds, according to Tesla. Production of the Model S is expected to begin in 2012.
Roman Mica, a contributing editor of dev.theweeklydriver.com, previewed the Model S at the Northern American International Auto Show in Detroit.
To read more of Roman Mica’s automotive content, visit: www.tflcar.com.
Article Last Updated: January 21, 2011.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
