Tesla Current: Maxim Ostapenko Envisions an All Electric S-Class Competitor

With Tesla’s long anticipated Model S sedan still more than six months away, designers from all over the world have begun to speculate what will be next for the Silicon Valley-based automaker.
One such design study is the Current by Maxim Ostapenko, a graduate of Pasadena, California’s Art Center College of Design.
Essentially a four-door all-electric saloon car to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Jaguar XF, the Tesla Current shares its design heritage with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style and the Citroen Survolt concepts.

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Tesla Losses Soar to $154.3 million in 2010, Despite Gains in Revenue

Tesla Motors has just released a preliminary, unaudited financial report concerning the year than ended on Dec. 31, 2010. The company reported losses of US$51.4 million in Q4 2010 and US$154.3 million for 2010, which was almost triple the US$55.74 million loss for the year ending Dec. 31, 2009.

The EV automaker's revenue, however, rose approximately 5 percent in 2010 to $116.7 million. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 were US$36.3 million, a 16% increase from the US$31.2 million reported in the prior quarter. Tesla added that gross margin improved to 26% for the full year 2010, up from 9% for 2009.

The company 's future plans include the launch of the Model S, which is scheduled to go on sale in the middle of next year. Scroll down to read Tesla CEO Elon Musk's statement.

“We are very pleased to report continued revenue growth, improving margins and a steady progression in our Roadster and powertrain activities,” said Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors. “Our powertrain team delivered solid results, with an increase in orders and record deliveries of battery packs and chargers for the Daimler Smart fortwo electric drive, the completion of our development program for the Daimler A-Class, and the commencement of the phase 1 development program for the Toyota RAV4 EV.”

“The highlight of the quarter was our on-time completion of the first drivable Model S alpha,” continued Musk. “The quality and level of refinement of the alpha demonstrates the superb job of our design, vehicle engineering and powertrain teams. They have embraced the opportunity to build an EV from the ground up and have produced a vehicle which shows great potential to deliver superior aerodynamics, stability and handling, crash safety, performance and range. We believe the Model S is well on its way toward becoming the vehicle of choice for 2012.”

READ MORE - Tesla Losses Soar to $154.3 million in 2010, Despite Gains in Revenue

Tesla Roadster Sport - Battery Electric high performance sports car

I have to admit, I didn't think that they were going to pull it off.

The history of the automobile is a long road that's littered with the forgotten hulks of dream cars that were too good to be true, after all, so when an upstart company called Tesla announced in 2006 that it was going to produce the world's first all-electric sports car, I was less than confident that it would ever see the light of day.
Thankfully, the company wasn't waiting for my approval to hit the road. Tesla has now delivered about 1000 Roadsters so far, is making big plans for an all-electric family sedan to follow, has taken over Toyota's NUMMI plant in California and now has seven dealers across the U.S. As for my opinion on the company's veracity, I stand firmly corrected, and jumped eagerly at the chance to meet one.

Tesla's Roadster looks the part of a serious sports car. The car itself is tiny and dart-like. The chassis and design began life shared with the Lotus Elise, but the two cars are barely kissing cousins at this point. The Tesla shares only its dash panel and some suspension components with the Elise. A mid-year styling upgrade for 2010 gives the Tesla an even stronger identity. The carbon-fiber body panels are smoother, and it's angular where the Elise is organic.

Projector-style headlamps are matched by a similar motif at the rear.
The wheelbase has been stretched two inches in the interest of making the Roadster more livable, and the deep "hood" vents lead to cooling fans for the battery pack and motor.
Lift the rear cover, and where the engine of a mid-engined car would be, there's a big black box that contains the power electronics module and batteries. The battery packs are cooled by flowing antifreeze, to keep them efficient. The watermelon-sized motor produces 288 horsepower and spins up to 14,000 rpm. Translated through the single-gear transmission--like a fixed-gear bicycle, the Roadster's road speed is determined entirely by engine speed--that's about 126mph. Tesla claims an optimum range of about 245 miles, but this
will vary depending on how the car's driven. There's no reverse

gear; the motor itself just runs backwards, up to 15 mph. A 70-amp home charging system is the fastest way to re-juice the batteries, requiring about three hours to reach a full charge. 50-amp and 110-volt adapters are also included.

The cozy cabin requires a bit of contortion to climb into over the wide sill, and once inside you're knee-high to a Miata. This car's a two-seater, of course, like any "proper" sports car. The driver and passenger sit dead-center in the wheelbase. The Tesla feels sparse, but not unfinished; a narrow console includes pushbuttons for transmission control, an emergency brake and the standard seat-heater
buttons. There's a vehicle-information touch-screen low on the

console, and an in-dash navigation system and backup camera are available. The toylike steering wheel brings go-karts and race cars to mind, as does the negligible cargo space.

Any doubts about the Tesla's status as a true sports car are dispelled the moment you nail the accelerator. Holy--! The Tesla just GOES, in an eyeball-flattening rush of electronic whirring. There's no engine noise, of course, but the motor churning away right behind the passenger cabin hints at a great deal of power. Watching the Tesla Roadster launch is fascinating. There's no revving engine to alert onlookers to what's about to happen. Zing! The Roadster is just gone, with nary a chirp of the tires. Zero to sixty comes up in about four seconds. An aggressive traction control system modulates the motor's torque when the tires are about to break loose, preventing slip without an uncomfortable decrease in power.

On the road, there's not much in the way of sound deadening, but the electric motor makes a lot less noise than the average V8. Tire noise and that powerful whir from the motor comprise the soundtrack. Double wishbones and coil springs comprise the suspension at both ends, and the Roadster Sport features an adjustable sport suspension as standard equipment. The Tesla Roadster porpoises on uneven pavement, but the ride is somewhat less punishing than that of the average sports car.

The motor and battery are mounted where the engine would be on a mid-engined car, so the Tesla is very balanced. It's as comfortable as any extreme sports car, and around town is similarly usable.
An aggressive regenerative function allows the engine to charge the batteries during deceleration, and has the added advantage of providing nearly all of the necessary braking power. The Tesla practically stops itself when you lift off of the accelerator. Should more positive braking be needed, anti-lock brakes are standard.
The Tesla Roadster is available in two models. The Roadster Sport adds an adjustable suspension, special seventeen-inch wheels and a hand-wound motor. Pricing starts at $109,000 for the standard Roadster, and the Roadster Sport comes in at $128,500. Both models are eligible for a $7500 federal tax credit, which softens the blow slightly. Of course, since the Tesla is currently the only game in town when it comes to realistic two-seat electric powered convertibles with stunning performance, price comparisons are somewhat meaningless.

All specs are for the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport
Length: 155.1 in.
Width: 72.9 in.
Height: 44.5 in.
Wheelbase: 92.6 in.
Curb weight: 2723 lb.
Base price: $128,500
Motor: 375-volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor
Drivetrain: single-speed fixed-gear transmission, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower: 288 @ 4400-6000
Torque: 295 @ 0-5100

READ MORE - Tesla Roadster Sport - Battery Electric high performance sports car

Tesla to Extend its Lineup with an All-Electric SUV by 2014

*Opening Photo: Tesla Model S

Lately, the folks over at Tesla have been very busy developing the upcoming Model S sedan and, together with Toyota, the all-electric version of the RAV4 compact SUV. But there’s more, as according to an LA Times report, the California-based automaker is also working on a small SUV of its own, currently named Model X.

Scheduled to go on sale by 2014, the new crossover model is said to offer more cabin space compared to similarly sized SUVs thanks to the electric powertrain, which, unlike an internal combustion engine and conventional transmission, needs less space.

Tesla hasn’t released any other information, but it’s quite possible that the Model X will follow in the footsteps of the Roadster and Model S. That means customers can expect good handling characteristics, multiple battery pack options to suit specific autonomy needs and a versatile interior. Last but not least, Tesla’SUV should also qualify for some kind of federal tax credit.

READ MORE - Tesla to Extend its Lineup with an All-Electric SUV by 2014

Tesla to Extend its Lineup with an All-Electric SUV by 2014

*Opening Photo: Tesla Model S

Lately, the folks over at Tesla have been very busy developing the upcoming Model S sedan and, together with Toyota, the all-electric version of the RAV4 compact SUV. But there’s more, as according to an LA Times report, the California-based automaker is also working on a small SUV of its own, currently named Model X.

Scheduled to go on sale by 2014, the new crossover model is said to offer more cabin space compared to similarly sized SUVs thanks to the electric powertrain, which, unlike an internal combustion engine and conventional transmission, needs less space.

Tesla hasn’t released any other information, but it’s quite possible that the Model X will follow in the footsteps of the Roadster and Model S. That means customers can expect good handling characteristics, multiple battery pack options to suit specific autonomy needs and a versatile interior. Last but not least, Tesla’s SUV should also qualify for some kind of federal tax credit.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: LA Times

___________________________TESLA MODEL S___________________________

READ MORE - Tesla to Extend its Lineup with an All-Electric SUV by 2014

Tesla Opens European Flagship Showroom in London

Electric sports car maker Tesla opened its first UK dealership in the heart of London at the Knightsbridge district. The 5,000 square-foot showroom on Cheval Place which is in walking distance from Harrods department store and convenient to Heathrow Airport will act as Tesla's European flagship store and will be followed by sales and service centers in Monaco, Munich and Zurich as well as four new stores in the United States.

The company said that it will begin delivering cars to European customers this summer of which the first 250 will be the Signature Edition Roadster model, priced from £94,000 on the road, but UK customers will have to wait until early 2010 for the first right-hand drive models. All in all, Tesla said that it has received 1,300 European orders for the all-electric Roadster model.

"Thanks to an abundance of discriminating drivers and progressive public policy, Tesla is already well known in Europe," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "We expect the London store to dramatically increase our brand identity throughout the continent, and with right hand drive models now due at the beginning of next year, the UK market will provide a solid foundation on which to build this."

Along with the Roadster, Tesla said that is also taking reservations for the four-door Model S sports saloon that is due for production in late 2011.

READ MORE - Tesla Opens European Flagship Showroom in London

Tesla Model S Road Testing Underway [with Video]

It has been a long journey, but it looks like the Tesla Model S all-electric sport sedan is one step closer to series production as the California-based automaker announced it is moving on to the final road tests. The first phase called Alpha, which began in 2010, includes both computer simulations and test-drives of prototype vehicles. There will be a Beta phase as well.

“The first Alpha is amazingly agile for a car of its size. It has great handling balance and 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 drive Graham Sutherland.

According to Tesla, Alpha cars will be tested in the coming months in all sorts of climatic conditions, which should help engineers improve the EV’s driving dynamics.

Tesla’s second model after the Roadster offers seating for five adults and two children. The Model-S' drivetrain consists of an electric motor coupled to a single-speed transmission and a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. Customers will be able to specify their cars with one of three available battery packs offering a driving range of up to 160, 230 or 300 miles (258, 370 or 483 kilometers).

Roughly the same size as a BMW 5-Series, the Model S sprints to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h). Production is set to begin in 2012 and Tesla is currently taking orders, with the base price set at US$49,000, including a US$7,500 Federal tax credit.

READ MORE - Tesla Model S Road Testing Underway [with Video]

Fulton Innovation Wirelessly Charges Tesla Roadster

A few days ago we brought you the news that GM will begin offering in-car wireless charging mats for mobile phones as an option from Q3 2012. These devices, that are making big waves at trade shows both in the U.S. and around the world, do away with the pesky cords and bulky adapters of old, replacing them with two conductive metal plates (i.e. one on the back of your phone and one in your car).

So imagine if you could charge your electric car this way. It should be simple, right? You’d just need to upscale it to suit charging a bigger battery. Well, at the 2011 CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Fulton Innovation showed such a gadget by wirelessly charging the be-all and end-all of electric vehicles: the Tesla Roadster.

The eCoupled Powerspot, as it is called, works on the same principles as its smaller cousins and can even provide you with charging updates through a smart phone app. Do you want to keep track of how much it costs to recharger your electric car? The app can do that too.

There’s even a video, though admittedly it’s not very interesting. No electrical arching or unearthly humming noise here, I’m afraid; just a silent, practical vision for the future. You can check out the video for yourself, if you’re so inclined. There’s no indication of when this technology will be available, though I suspect we will be seeing it within the next five years or so.

It has, after all, been used by Hino to recharge electric busses for at least the past two years. It’s not so much a matter of if but when, and whether it can be made cost effective. One thing is for sure, the future for electric vehicles just got a little brighter.

Via: Jalopnik & The Next Web

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Tesla Motors е получила 3000 поръчки за Model S

Въпреки че много ни изненада с новия си Model S

Tesla Motors може да остави този модел само само една интересна концепция, защото наскоро публикувани данни предполагат, че моделът трябва да се превърне в реалност, но вече през 2012 година.

В наскоро публикуваната информация се съобщава, че Tesla Motors вече е получила 3000 поръчки от клиенти за бъдещия Model S, които са депозирали по $ 5000. Също така, Tesla обяви също, че техните електрически седанда отговарят на стандарт за безопасност на 5 евро звезди NCAP, и че колата е трябвало да постигне рекорд в сегмента с възможност за бързо сменяне на батерията.

Издаден е план за развитие, според който през тази година трябва да бъдат завършени обектите на проектиране и изграждане на новата кола и да се завършат преговорите с доставчиците и да започне производството на Model S.

За следващата година е обявено началото на тестовете за издържливост и изпитванията за безопасност, а през 2012 Model S трябва да влезе в серийно производство и продажби.

READ MORE - Tesla Motors е получила 3000 поръчки за Model S

Brabus Plugs into the Tesla Roadster with New Sport Green Package

In an effort to provide added value to its customers, Brabus’ Zero Emission division joined forces with German electricity company RWE and created the Green Package for the Tesla Roadster. Along with a host of exterior and interior upgrades, the 'green' package includes a quick charging station for the owner’s garage and 30,000 kilometers (18,641 miles) worth of electric power from RWE. And there’s more; with every purchase, buyers also receive a one-year pass for free use of all public RWE charging stations.

Compared to your standard household power outlet, the quick charging station gets the job done three times faster. That means the Tesla Roadster can be fully charged in less than six hours for an operating range of some 350 km (220 miles).

Being that Brabus is a tuning firm, the company also spiced up the EV. Starting with the exterior, the Germans added a carbon fiber lip to the front bumper and incorporated LED daytime running lights into the front grille. At the rear we can find a discrete carbon fiber wing and diffuser.

The body can be painted in any color while the car rides on 18-inch front and 19-inch rear Monoblock S alloys, shod in 215/35 front and 255/30 rear tires. The alloys are finished in black and have a subtle outline matched to the exterior color.

As with its previous Tesla offerings, Brabus adds a sound generator, which replicates the grunt “of a typical V8, a racecar or two futuristic soundscapes”, according to the company.

The interior can be specified in a combination of perforated leather and Alcantara, but other options are also available, such as scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logos and even a leather-covered floor.

READ MORE - Brabus Plugs into the Tesla Roadster with New Sport Green Package