Tesla Model S News

Whenever we're asked whether electric-car startup Tesla Motors will make it, we respond with our own question: What's the last carmaker started from scratch in the U.S. by entrepreneurs that's still with us, and when did it launch? The answer is Chrysler, and the year was 1924. In other words...

It's starting to seem like tit-for-tat around here, as startup electric automakers Tesla and Fisker vie for--and get--federal- and state-funded loans and tax concessions to build future electric cars. The latest salvo, mere days after Fisker announced its purchase of a former GM plant in Delaware...

There's nothing like a little old-fashioned reporter shoe leather, especially when few other automotive media outlets bother to make the trip. Our colleague Gary Gastelu of Fox News traveled down to Delaware yesterday, to cover the official announcement of Fisker Automotive's $18 million purchase...

At 10 am tomorrow morning, Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce that Fisker Automotive will buy the closed General Motors factory in Wilmington, Delaware, his home state. According to reports, company founder Henrik Fisker will join Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other dignitaries...

Michael Donoughe recently resigned as Tesla Motors engineering chief, but he did not leave quietly.  On his way out, he revealed information about the upcoming Model S that has not been publicized before.  According to Donoughe, the Model S is designed to be capable of battery swapping. ...

Executive turnover continues at Silicon Valley electric-car startup Tesla Motors, with three executives leaving in nine months and two more hired. The turnover comes both in Vehicle Engineering--the group that must executive and deliver the 2012 Tesla Model S electric luxury sports sedan--and in...

There are few people who deny that Tesla makes beautiful vehicles, but many wonder why an electric car is designed in such a manner as to blend in with other high dollar luxury vehicles.  Since most electric vehicles boldly say, "Look at me, I run on electricity alone", one question still...

The U.S. Department of Energy yesterday approved a $529 million low-interest loan to Fisker Automotive, which will start building its 2010 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan later this year. Customer deliveries will start next May. In June, Tesla Motors received a $465 million loan for...

The Tesla Model S EV is due for release in 2011.  The vehicle features an amazing 17 inch center stack display that is by far the largest ever seen in a vehicle and Tesla is considering using the screen as a way to personalize the vehicle while driving. The concept uses a software based program...

Some Industry Figures Skeptical of Proposed Specifications

The Tesla Model S is not in production yet, but this new YouTube video shows a car that certainly looks ready to go.  Showcasing the interior space and the striking beauty of the vehicle, the video shows all aspects of the sleek all-electric sedan.  Though much of the information in the video...

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the first three loans to be granted under the government's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. The lucky winners, totaling $8 billion worth of low-interest loans from the US Department of Energy: Ford, Nissan, and Tesla. FORD Amount...

The Tesla Model S is a stylish futuristic 4-door pure electric sedan slated to go into production in late 2011. The vehicle debuted with a splash in late March receiving acclaim for its sleek and refined design, up to 300 miles of range (with optional pack), and its hopeful price-tag of under...

Most EV enthusiasts are excited about the sleek Tesla Model S electric sedan, but a recent report suggests we might need to temper our enthusiasm. It is after all a concept and sometimes the difference between concept cars and their production counterparts are miles away. Take the design of the...

Perfection is a word that accurately describes Tesla Model S designer Franz von Holzhausen.  He sits in a photography studio studying every detail of the Model S sitting before him and wonders how he can improve on an already remarkable design.  Knowing that work is still needed and modifications...

The Tesla Model S is set to appear tonight on the CBS Late Show with David Letterman. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, "It will likely be the first fully drivable car to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman." Why the Tesla Model S as the first car on the stage, the answer is simple. ...

Within one week of unveiling the strikingly designed 4-door pure electric Model S sedan, Tesla Motors has announced they have already taken 520 reservations. The vehicle currently exists only in prototype form and will be produced in late 2011 if the company can get $350 million in goverment loans...

How would you like to test drive a Tesla Model S today? Too bad. Unless you've already committed to buying one, this video is probably as close as you'll get - at least until it reaches showrooms in 2011. Venture capitalist, and first Model S customer, Steve Jurvetson, on the other hand, sat...

Developing a luxury sports sedan from scratch costs a billion dollars or more; can Tesla really do it?

The Model S is Tesla Motors new mid-sized 7-seat 4-door electric car that was unveiled today in Los Angeles California at the Space-X rocket factory. The vehicle will be priced at $57,400 so that with the US government $7500 tax credit could cost its owners $49,990. It will have a 160 mile all...