First things first: Tesla’s second model is a beauty. The Model S, a four-door follow-up to the Lotus Elise-based Roadster, will be one of the best-looking midsize luxury sedans on the market once production begins. Think Jaguar XF… but better.
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Tesla was hot and heavy into keeping Model S facts, figures, and specifications secret leading up to the vehicle launch. With mainstream manufacturers, that’ll often happen because there are very few facts, figures, or specifications ready to offer. Not so with the Tesla Model S, as you can see by the extensive array of Numbers-driven sentences below. Check out the gallery of the Tesla Model S and all its 13 photos before scrolling into the details below.
7,500 – anticipated U.S. tax credit for the Tesla Model S which will take the actual selling price to $49,900
300 – mpc, that’s miles per charge, an oh-so-terribly-smug term that flaunts itself in front of mpg, although that figure comes with extra cost. Standard will be battery packs limiting range to 160 miles, optional packs worth 230 miles or 300 miles will be available
5 – estimated USD cost of electricity for driving 230 miles in the Tesla Model S
130 – estimated top speed of the Tesla Model S
6 – seconds under which any driver should be able to extract 60mph from the Tesla Model S, although a Sport model is supposedly capable of 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds
45 – quickest possible full-charge for the Tesla Model S while using a 440v outlet
7 – total passenger seating inside the Tesla Model S, with regular 5-seat capacity plus two rear-facing seats for children under the hatch; luggage goes up front
8,000 – total battery cells inside the Tesla Model S’s “powertrain”, compared with just 6,000 in the much quicker (but smaller and lighter) Roadster
.27 – Tesla Model S’s coefficient of drag, compared with .35 for the roadster
35,000 – price of competing cars, says Tesla, after taking into account the potential fuel savings whilst gas strikes $4.00/gallon again and the Tesla Model S continues to use electricity at today’s rate
1,200 – total weight of batteries inside the otherwise 2,800 pound car taking curb weight up to – you guessed it – just over 4,000 pounds
4 – hours needed to charge the Tesla Model S at a 220v outlet
5 – estimated time needed to change the battery pack at a government-affiliated service station partner where, says Tesla, you could be the owner of the smallest battery pack and rent the larger 300-mile range battery pack for a longer trip
1 – total speeds in the Tesla’s transmission
2011 – year in which the Tesla Model S goes on sale; in fact; in the latter part of the year
