 Tesla MotorsCompany
Overview
Tesla
Motors was founded in 2003 with one main vision, to create highway legal
electric vehicles that would redefine what an electric car is. The company was founded in San Carlos,
CA and currently has headquarters in Palo Alto, CA employing more than 800
people. Tesla Motors, Inc.Tesla Motors Inc
The company was named after a famous
electrical engineer and physicist, Nikola Tesla. Tesla Motors AC electric motors in their vehicles are
directly descended from Mr. Tesla’s 1882 design of the first AC motor, hence
naming the company after the man.
The company released its first production vehicle in early 2008 with
great response from press and automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Tesla currently has dealerships in 15
countries worldwide and has vehicles on the road in 30 countries
worldwide. The company is
continually innovating their technology and design to be on the cutting edge of
electric vehicle production. Tesla is the first company to use efficient Lithium-Ion battery technology in its vehicles which gives them a long driving range and are more environmentally friendly than traditional batteries.
The Roadster
Tesla
currently manufactures and sells only one model, the Roadster. The Roadster was released in early 2008
and by the beginning of this year Tesla reported over 1,000 of them sold. The Roadster redefined what an electric
car is in many ways. Before its
existence electric cars were mainly converted gas cars to electric power that
delivered a low number of miles to drive per charge making them unrealistic for
most drivers needs. The Roadster
changed this phenomenon boasting a 200+ mile range per charge making the Tesla
Roadster the only production electric vehicle to deliver such a long mileage
range per charge. In addition the Roadster accelerates
from 0-60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, an astonishingly fast time for a fully
electric vehicle making it a serious competitor in the performance area to
conventional gas sports cars such as the Porsche 911. The Roadster underwent a minor redesign in 2010 adding some key features:
- Increased power, lowering the 0-60 time to 3.7 seconds
- Upgraded,
quieter interior
- Adjustable
suspension system, with multiple modes to suit the drivers needs
- Centrally
mounted video display screen to display various real-time data about the
vehicle
In mid-2010 Tesla introduced the further upgraded model,
called the Roadster 2.5. Starting price is $101,500. This
current model adds on some key changes:
- New electronic hardware enabling the vehicle to be operated
in more extreme cold and hot climates
- New exterior look, with a more aggressive and aerodynamic
design
- More comfortable, supportive seats with a supportive lumbar
support system
Upcoming model: The Model S
Tesla continues to innovate and appeal to a wider market segment by their introduction of the completely new Model S which satisfies buyers looking for more an everyday family car that has decent cargo and passenger space, but still is powered by a fully electric motor that delivers up to 300 miles per charge. The Model S is expected to hit showrooms in 2012 with a price starting at $49,000.
Some of the key features include:
- 17 inch touchscreen monitor with 3G connectivity with GPS navigation, restaurant recommendations, and movie showtime look up access
- Seating for up to 5 adults and two children
- More cargo space than a typical sedan with additional cargo area under the hood
- 0-60 in 5.6 seconds
The Model S
Innovative, comfortable cabin
Roadster 2.5
Model S: Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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