Tesla Model S Electric Sedan Closer To Launch, Gets Facelift

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Tesla Model S Electric Sedan Closer To Launch, Gets Facelift

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

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Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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Tesla Model S Alpha build

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Tesla Model S Alpha build

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It may still be well over a year away from launch, but Tesla’s latest press photographs are certainly getting the automotive world talking.

Released over the weekend, the photographs show a Model S which looks good enough to take on mainstream automotive giants on the showroom floor head-on.

With a few panel changes equating to little more than the automotive equivalent of a tummy tuck, the latest Model S Alpha features a redesigned grille and front bumper, making it look much more like the Jaguar XJ than previous versions.

In fact, we think the latest tweaks make the Model S look much more like the executive saloon Tesla wants it to be, with bolder lines and a more traditional, aggressive stance.

Unlike the Tesla Roadster which is due to cease production this year, the 2012 Tesla Model S will be sold with three different battery pack options, ranging from $57,400 for a base Model S with 160 mile pack through to $77,400 for a Model S capable of up to 300 miles per charge.

But before you get too excited, don’t forget that the Model S is still a whole year away from entering production. That means a whole lot could still change between the end of the Model S Alpha test vehicles and the final production version.

Do you like the facelifts in the latest Model S Alpha, or do you prefer the softer lines of the earlier prototypes? Let us know in the Comments below.

[Tesla]

HI-RES GALLERY: Tesla Model S Alpha build

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Comments (13)

Thalass Posted: 6/6/2011 8:25am PDT

I love the new grille. The black plastic dome on some of the alphas was very off-putting. Can't wait to get one!

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Eric Posted: 6/6/2011 9:18am PDT

are they ceasing production of the roadster perminantly?

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Steve Posted: 6/6/2011 9:27am PDT

What's the point of a grill on a car with no internal combustion engine? To me, deciding to update the "grill" is like trying to decide what frames should hold the plain glass lenses for someone who doesn't need glasses. Oh by the way, the air conditioning system doesn't need a hole that big.

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Kent Beuchert Posted: 6/6/2011 9:55am PDT

The grill, as all can see, is nonfunctional. It's a plastic shield. Personally I think it should match the color of the car and the chrome outline eliminated, for a cleaner look. The reason for the shield is to reduce aero drag.

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CDspeed Posted: 6/6/2011 10:09am PDT

It's one beautiful car isn't it. Even dedicated gear heads who hate EVs are leaving comments on other sites saying how much they love the Model S and if all EVs looked like this they'd buy one in an instant. That to me is one of Tesla's biggest contributions, their designs and performance are attracting new people to EVs. If all goes well the Model S's impact will be incredible. @Kent the grill does function, at the bottom there is an opening to let air in. It's hard to see but it's there.

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Eletruk Posted: 6/6/2011 10:57am PDT

The grill does have a function. The electronics, battery and motor are liquid cooled. Just like the Roadster, there is a radiator, and airflow is still needed. EVs generate waaaaaay less heat than an ICE, yet they still produce enough to need some cooling.

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Tom Moloughney Posted: 6/6/2011 11:48am PDT

Fantastic! Now build them please, you have lot's of buyers ready to write the checks!

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Fog Bank Posted: 6/6/2011 3:20pm PDT

Like the Model S. Wish it were in production to day. Hope it makes fools of all the Tesla critics, both foreign and domestic. But sorry, that grill is somewhere between boring and almost ugly. It is devoid of any inspiration. Fix the grill.

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Cliff Posted: 6/7/2011 11:24am PDT

Eric why would they stop producing the roadster?

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Iz Posted: 6/7/2011 12:04pm PDT

@Cliff Telsa's plan was to have Lotus build 2500 Roadsters in their UK plant. A future Roadster will be built in the NUMMI factory in Fremont, CA sometime after Model S debuts.

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ev enthusiast Posted: 6/7/2011 10:42pm PDT

hi everyone,
click on my name to see a 20 minute video of a representative from tesla and one from coda talking. i think you will find it quite interesting.

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CDspeed . Posted: 6/9/2011 4:44pm PDT

Hi ev, I watched the video. It was boring but both representatives appeared friendly toward each other and had a positive outlook on the future. Still I'm curious, what is interesting about it ? It was just a general interview.

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EV Enthusiast Posted: 6/10/2011 6:08pm PDT

hi cd,

i just thought it was interesting. tesla and coda have no reason not to be friendly. they arent really competitors. tesla is trying to be the "bmw" of evs, while coda has always been looking after the regular market.

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