Oncars.com’s Sweet Model S Video Preview

OnCars.com has produced a very informative and stylish video preview of the Tesla Model S. It is split into three parts: Design, Pure Electric, and Showtime.

Part 1: Design

Franz Von Holzhouzen, Chief Designer of the Model S Project, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, provide an in-depth description of how the electric drive train allows for unique design opportunities. I was unaware that the battery pack flat between the wheelbase this time. The Tesla Roadster’s is a vertical box located in the rear portion of the car. Also, the Model S has many hidden design elements that reduce the drag coefficient, like the retractible door handles, flat underbody, and air diffusers.

Part 2: Pure Electric

Elon and Franz emphasize the importance of keeping the Model S purely electric as apposed to creating a hybrid sedan ala the Fisker Karma. With a 300 mile range, the Tesla Model S should have no trouble being a daily driver, and will hopefully extinguish any doubt in the minds of those who don’t believe electric cars are fully capable vehicles.

Part 3: Showtime

This covers Elon’s appearance on Letterman and reactions from New York City.

Video of Tesla Model S Unveiling and More

Edmunds Inside Line recently posted this neat video on Youtube. Not only do you get to see Tesla Motors finally pull the sheet off this gorgeous ride, but there is also some footage of the 7-passenger sedan in action on the road.

Full Details on Telsa Model S

Jalopnik has a great article on the Tesla Model S unveiling today. They also took several photos of the electric family sedan at the event. These are the most current car specs as well as production and release dates:

Via Jalopnik:
Tesla claims the Model S sedan will be produced at a rate of 20,000 units per year, with an expected 3rd quarter of 2011 start of production and an expectation of mid-2012 for when they hope to hit that 20,000-per-year number.

The Tesla Model S Sedan will supposedly have a 300 mile range from its floor pan-located, easily removable battery pack which Tesla claims will have a quick-charged capability allowing it to partially charge in just 45 minutes. The company is considering renting customers a long range battery pack for long trips. The regular batteries are available for lease and are expected to last from 7 to 10 years depending on use, but expect closer to 10 for normal use. The entire car will be covered under a warranty, the length of which is expected to be between 3 and 4 years.

The interior features 2 LCD screens, one displaying the gauges and one mounted centrally featuring a full touch screen.

Sport and AWD models are being planned, but the stock model can run 0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds using its single-speed transmission.

The Tesla Model S will be built in Southern California, while the drive train is manufactured in San Jose. Although we initially believed they might be using a Mercedes platform, but we’re now told personally by Tesla’s Elon Musk the platform is their own design and they plan on manufacturing it themselves. Where they’ll come up with the tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars necessary to accomplish that is anyone’s guess.

Tesla Model S Pics Leaked Moments Before Debut!

Digg founder Kevin Rose has evidently uploaded full shots of the Tesla Model S to his flickr account moments before Tesla was going to unveil the car later today. Thanks to the $7,500 federal tax credit you can own this electric sport sedan for under $50,000.  And I must say, early rumors were true, the Tesla Model S looks very much like the Aston Martin Rapide.  The photos are posted below, for your viewing pleasure:

For our complete coverage of the Tesla Model S click here.

Leftlane to Stream Live Video of Tesla Model S Unveiling Tomorrow

So far, Tesla Motors has only provided us with a glimpse of what the Model S will look like. Tomorrow, for the first time, the electric sedan will be unveiled in its entirety. Taking advantage of the mystery surrounding the debut of the Tesla Model S, Leftlane is providing a live video stream of the event. To view it, go to this site at around 3:30 p.m. ET, or 12:30 p.m. PT, Thursday, March 26th, 2009.

Official Photo of Tesla Model S

Last August, I posted about the rumors swirling that the Tesla Model S would look the Aston Martin Rapide concept. Then in October, a “rendered speculation” was created that led many to believe the car might look otherwise. But the rendering seemed to deviate from what Tesla spokesmen claimed would be a large four-door hatchback sedan. Also I found it doubtful that the company would build a car with an obvious Asian sportscar influence in the design.

But the Model S peaking out from under the tarp in Tesla’s official teaser photo very much resembles the Aston Martin Rapide.  Right down to the fender side vents.  Obviously, the Model S will look slightly different when it finally unveiled.  But until then, this is probably the best estimate of what the 4-door electric sedan will look like:

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