Tesla

Nissan To Unveil ESFLOW EV Roadster at Geneva

Japanese automaker Nissan has a bold plan for electric vehicles. It was the first major automaker to launch an all-electric car, the Leaf, with broad availability last year. At next month's Geneva auto show, Nissan will unveil the ESFLOW, a premium priced roadster concept car whose principal competitor would be the Tesla.

The ESFLOW has a look reminiscent of Nissan's iconic 370Z. The roadster makes use of the electric propulsion system found in the Nissan Leaf, but it has been re-engineered to deliver sportier performance.

Tags: Geneva Motor Show, Nissan esflow, nissan esflow concept, Tesla, tesla motors

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Tesla Roadster Sports Car: Drives Like A Charm

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Video

The last time I drove a car with this level of performance I couldn't hear myself think. The people at Tesla would probably have frowned at my driving style on off-highway roads during this specific part of my ride – but it isn't my fault they decided to design a sports car to house their all electric engine.

I'm zipping to over 60 mph in what feels like an instant. The Roadster Sport I am guiding doesn't feel phased by its rapid acceleration as many combustion engines do. The quick little car does 0 to 60 in under four seconds (3.7 seconds for the Roadster sport), but getting there is made more pleasurable by what it has under all the carbon fiber. Electric motors have some interesting benefits, it seems. Press down on the "Go" pedal (no gas here), and you'll get 100% of the horsepower and torque right away. There is no lag or waiting to gain RPMs. Going forward fast is only a matter of waiting for the actual mass of the car to gain speed. I suddenly feel like I am driving a life size electric toy car. In a sense, that is exactly what it is. And this toy is fun.

Tags: drive, experience, luxist reviews, motors, opinion, review, roadster, sport, Tesla

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Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes Benz is among the German luxe cars that loves clean diesel, but it is also getting serious about electric sports cars as well.

At this week's North American International Auto show, the Stuttgart-based Mercedes showed the SLS AMG E-Cell, which is powered by four synchronous electric motors at each wheel. Those motors produce 525 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque.

Though Mercedes is mum about some of the performance numbers, we hear that the SLS AMG E-Cell can do 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The energy comes from Lithium-ion batteries, and regenerative braking helps keep the cells from draining too fast. There is a the temperature management system to make sure that charging and discharging occurs in the best environment possible.

Expected range was not part of the announcement, nor would the good folks at Mercedes commit to putting the car into production. But there is desire by Mercedes to offer it next year.

Mercedes is a share holder in Tesla Motors, the California company known for its electric roadster. Tesla has been sorting out the electrification of smart cars (Mercedes owns smart) but we venture a guess that the intellectual property sharing goes to sports cars, and specifically this baby, as well.

Tags: Electric car, Mercedes benz, North American International Auto Show, Tesla, tesla motors

Tesla Roadster Art Car by Laurence Gartel

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Though mankind has manipulated the former for far longer than the latter, art and electricity needn't exist in isolation from one another. That's what Laurence Gartel asserted with his digital creations in the 1970s, and what he's now done in the form of an art car.

Typically the domain of BMW, the Gartel art car uses an electric Tesla Roadster as its canvas. The eclectic masterpiece was created for and unveiled at the Art Basel festival last week in Miami, but you can take a closer look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Tesla Roadster Art Car by Laurence Gartel

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Tags: art basel, Art basel Miami Beach, art car, laurence gartel, tesla, tesla roadster

Luxury EV Maker Tesla To Do EV Toyota RAV4

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Green

Luxury electric-vehicle maker Tesla will develop and electric version of the Toyota RAV4 compact SUV. Toyota took an equity stake in Tesla earlier this year, giving the EV maker its NUMMI manufacturing plant in Fremont, CA. Now, it will pay Tesla $60 million to leverage its battery know-how to create a 100% electric version of the RAV4.

Toyota makes the number-one hybrid, Prius, as well as hybrid versions of the Camry sedan, Highlander SUV, as well as hybrid versions of Lexus luxury vehicles.

Tesla sells an EV roadster today for $100,000-plus. The company had its initial-public offering last June, and the stock is up 21% since then in part because of the investments and deals with Toyota and Daimler.

The gas version of a RAV4 ranges in cost between $22K and $28K and up depending on added features. The EV RAV4, due in 2012, won't be priced until then. Given the cost of batteries, it's hard to imagine that the starting price wouldn't be close to $40K, but then come down to around $30K after government subsidies for zero-emission vehicles.

Tags: Daimler, Electric Vehicles, RAV4, Tesla, Toyota RAV4

Elon Musk Of Tesla Motors Enjoying His New Tag Heuer Monaco Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Guess who showed up at Tag Heuer's party in Malibu recently? Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk. His appearance makes sense given Tag Heuer and Tesla's recent partnership in creating a special Tag Heuer branded Tesla Roadster car as part of their Odyssey of Pioneers campaign. The all-electric Tesla sports car for Tag Heuer has traveled all over the world so far, and has now made an appearance in California. Below you can see images of the decked-out Tesla Roadster with lots of carbon fiber, complete with a mechanical Heuer stopwatch in the cabin. A very cool car, and a sign of how the two brands feel enough corporate cohesion to work together.

Elon Musk is seen here showing off his brand new Tag Heuer Monaco watch. A classic staple for Tag Heuer, the Monaco has always been one of its biggest sellers. Musk is standing next to Ulrich Wohn, CEO and President of Tag Heuer North America. I'll keep track on Tesla and Tag Heuer to see what conspires between them in the future!

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Elon Musk with Monaco and Tag Heuer Tesla car

Tags: car, Elon Musk, Tag Heuer, Tesla, ulrich wohn, watch

Tag Heuer Watches Giving Away Book Signed By Leonardo DiCaprio

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As part of their special "Odyssey of Pioneers" tour where they are driving a special Tag Heuer branded Tesla electric sports car from Europe through Asia, Tag Heuer is offering a cool giveaway where you can win a book signed by Leonardo DiCaprio. The book is a 150th Anniversary compendium of the brand and its accomplishments. What makes it more cool is that Leo will be signing two of them (there will be two winners), and that he is an official Tag Heuer brand ambassador. The giveaway is being held on Tag Heuer's Facebook page, and you can access it here as well as get more details. Don't miss out, the giveaway ends on July 3rd, 2010.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: giveaway, leonardo dicaprio, Tag Heuer, Tesla, watch

Elon Musk's Cash-Flow Problems

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Even the richest people face cash problems. The NY Times reveals that charismatic businessman Elon Musk, co-founder of PayPal and CEO of Tesla Motors is a bit short on cash. Musk, who is in the midst of a divorce has acknowledged that he ran out of cash around four months ago. In his Dealbook column, New York Times's Andrew Ross Sorkin writes that while Musk had $200 million in cash not long ago now he is relying on the kindness of loans from his wealthy friends. He has invested all of his money in his businesses. But according to court filings he isn't exactly taking the bus and eating ramen for dinner, he still spends around $200,000 a month and flies on his private jet.

Musk's ex-wife, novelist Justine Musk has asked for the house, alimony, child support , $6 million cash and a share of Tesla Motors and a cut of Musk's stock in his rocket company, SpaceX. She's currently in New Orleans with her new boyfriend, has proclaimed that she gets along well with her ex's new actress girlfriend, and has blogged frankly about the divorce. The pair are debating about the validity of a postnuptial agreement. On her blog in her divorce tips she advises her readers not to sign a postnup.

Musk's cash flow issues are temporary. In two weeks, Tesla is scheduled to hold an initial public offering of stock that could value the company at about $1.4 billion. Telsa has said that the divorce should have no impact on the company. After the public offering, if it goes as hoped, he'd have around $21 million in cash and still own a controlling interest in Tesla.

Tags: Elon Musk, elon musk broke, elon musk ceo, elon musk divorce, elon musk finances, elon musk lawsuit, elon musk money, elon musk tesla, justine musk, Tesla, tesla motors

2010 TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster Car

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

It seems to make sense that TAG Heuer teamed up with Tesla Motors - though I don't quite understand why I think that. Successful marketing on behalf of both sides I guess. The collaboration between the brands may continue for a while (likely not going to be like the maligned and now extinct Panerai Ferrari deal) - but the first consumer result is something that I have never seen before. It is a watch themed car. Something I never thought would occur. The rest of the time it is a car themed watch. How fascinating the result is. The bad news? This is a one-off car for now. No word on whether anyone will be able to purchase this cool Tesla Roadster or one like it. Call it a hunch, but I believe that Tesla and TAG are going to be doing things together in the future.

The case comes complete with some cool graphics on it and the TAG Heuer name. The side swooshes are in white with gears in them. Pretty cool. Note the green and red side mirrors that are trademark TAG Heuer colors. The car is actually done as part of TAG's 150th's anniversary. Inside the car will be a special Heuer vintage 1/5 of a second stopwatch and a TAG Heuer Meridiist luxury mobile phone. People who attend the Geneva auto show will get to check out the unique electric sports car, and then it wil be driven to Baselworld for us watch nerds to view. You can thank TAG Heuer's reassuringly burly guards in advance, who will need to prevent me from driving off quickly (but quietly) in the high-tech, fast driving, watch themed, zero polluting, wonder-mobile.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: 2010 TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster Car

Tags: car, roadster, Tag Heuer, TagHeuer, Tesla, watch

World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

We didn't believe it until we verified it with our own eyes – and amazingly it's true: Colorado is offering a $42,083 rebate on the 2009 Tesla Roadster until December 31st. Carry the one, move the decimal point... yep, that's a 38-percent discount on what must be the most desirable electric car currently for sale in the United States.

So, exactly how did this come about? Is the thin air up there distorting people's better judgment? Not exactly. The incentive actually applies to a slew of qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles and will be paid in the form of an income tax credit that's calculated by determining the difference in price of the alt-fuel car or truck as compared to a competitive gas-powered model. In the case of the Tesla Roadster, Colorado figures the EV costs a whopping $50K more than its competitive set... which we imagine might be the Lotus Elise.

Want to take advantage of the rebate but not interested in a fully-electric sportscar? Buyers can also get a $20K rebate on the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L or about three grand on either the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius. See the complete list in PDF form here.

[Source: Green Car Reports]

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Future Vision? Tesla Roadster Sport Cars Seen Charging

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

I snapped these pictures while at the Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance auto show recently. I caught these two new Tesla Roadster Sport all electric sport cars charging quietly behind the scenes. like any electric car, all Teslas need to be charged to juice up. You can see the large plug that comes supplied with the car. I am not totally sure if it can use a stand wall socket, but I don't think so. You probably need a special set up. Unlike gassing up your car, to charge an electric car you need to wait hours, not minutes.

Look into the cabin of the car and you'll find a charging status screen. A green progress bar like you'd find on a laptop computer or mobile phone is accompanied by a mileage indicator of how far you can go on the current charge. While the Tesla is charging, a light around the plug glows and beats to indicate charging is taking place.

Strolling by the scene it seems almost natural, until I realized that this is likely something we will see lots more of in the future. Not to mention the fact that most people have never seen an electric car charging, or even a Tesla for that matter. Gone here are the manicured details of the inside of a showroom or auto show. This image is just what you'd see by having your own Tesla (if you are lucky enough to get one) charging quietly in your driveway or garage. As times go on, more and more electric car charging spots are popping up all over the country. I am sure your city has at least a few with major cities having dedicated parking spots with chargers and more.

Hearing the Tesla start up and drive off is another strange experience. Unlike the bellows of a Ferrari, or the growls of a Lamborghini, the Tesla has a no engine noise, and just the soft sounds of a transmission and tire noise. Like a large radio controlled model car, but made for people. Tesla has had a lot of financial problems, but thankfully many have come to its rescue and the cars are finally ready for prime time.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Tesla Roadster Charging

Tags: car, charging, electric, roadster, sport, tesla

Tesla Unloads New Set of Model S Driving Shots

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Tesla Model S in motion - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just a day after releasing new images of the Tesla Roadster Sport, the Silicon Valley automaker has gone and unleashed its Model S in a series of actual at-speed driving shots. While we've seen high-res shots of the Model S in the studio from Tesla Motors and we've witnessed the car moving under its own electric power ourselves, this is the first time the automaker has published a photo series of its own showing the car in motion.

Looking a bit closer, we can see that it is none other than Tesla design chief Franz Von Holzhausen behind the wheel of the Model S in these images. Lucky guy. Unfortunately, drivers who didn't help design the Model S but want to pilot the car will need to wait until Q3 of 2011 for the chance.

Gallery: Tesla Model S Driving Shots

[Source: Tesla via egmCarTech]

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Tags: tesla, tesla model s, tesla model s images, tesla motors, TeslaModelS, TeslaModelSImages, TeslaMotors

Tesla Finally Shows Off Real Images of Roadster Sport

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Tesla Roadster Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been seven months since Tesla first announced its intentions to build the Roadster Sport, a higher performing version of its standard electric sportscar, and the Silicon Valley-based automaker has finally offered up some real high-res images of the EV along with a bevy of details on what makes the Sport extra special.

First and foremost, the Sport's hand-wound electric motor adds a bit more oomph to the already quick Roadster, taking off two-tenths of a second on the rush to 60 at 3.7 seconds. Also included are bare carbon fiber hood louvers and rear spoiler, a push-button transmission selector to replace the aluminum shift knob and a central touch screen that displays estimated range along with the total number of oil barrels saved over a fossil-fueled automobile. That last tidbit is worth the $20K price increase itself, as far as we're concerned.

Gallery: Tesla Roadster Sport

[Source: Tesla via World Car Fans]

Tags: electric car, electric cars, electric sports car, electric sportscar, ElectricCar, ElectricCars, ElectricSportsCar, tesla, tesla motors, tesla roadster, tesla roadster sport, tesla roadster sport gallery, tesla sport, tesla sports car, TeslaMotors, TeslaRoadster, TeslaRoadsterSport, TeslaRoadsterSportGallery, TeslaSport, TeslaSportsCar

Mercedes Announces All-Electric Version of Upcoming SLS Gullwing Supercar

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

There's been a horsepower war being waged between German automakers for years, and Mercedes has been one of the biggest armies on the front line. An endless succession of big V8 and twin-turbo V12 engines have seen to Benz's dominance, housed in everything from station wagons to sportscars. Following the likes of the SLR McLaren and SL65 Black Series, the latest of the latter is almost here. But while the SLS "gullwing" will shout the battle cry of the horsepower wars with typical zeal, confirmed reports now indicate that it will also offer a more peaceful solution in the form of an all-electric version.

While the conventional SLS will be powered by a 6.3-liter V8 producing 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the electric version will produce the equivalent of 526hp and 649 lb-ft, offering potential buyers no excuse for sticking to the fossil-fuel-burning version once the electric model makes its debut. The electric Mercedes supercar promises to accelerate to sixty in four seconds flat, that motivation being delivered courtesy of four individual electric motors and a 48 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Given Mercedes parent company Daimler's recent investment of $50 million in Tesla, it's safe to say that the California startup will be helping out in the development, but while a launch date for the electric SLS hasn't been revealed, sources expect to see it on the road by 2015.

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Tags: AMG, Benz, edrive sls, EdriveSls, electric car, electric cars, electric sls, electric sports car, electric sportscar, electric vehicle, electric vehicles, ElectricCar, ElectricCars, ElectricSls, ElectricSportsCar, ElectricVehicle, ElectricVehicles, Gullwing, mercedes, mercedes benz, mercedes benz sls, mercedes benz sls edrive, Mercedes SLS, mercedes-benz, mercedesbenz, MercedesBenzSls, MercedesBenzSlsEdrive, MercedesSls, tesla, tesla motors, TeslaMotors

REPORT: Tesla Planning To Launch 2011 Roadster In More Right-Hand Export Markets

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the long-anticipated right-hand-drive Roadster is coming in the first quarter of 2010 and will be available in both standard and Sport guise. The first market that's slated for electrification is, as you would expect, the United Kingdom, and Tesla's first European showroom has already opened up in Knightsbridge.

In addition to Great Britain, Musk has also indicated that Japan, Australia and India are seen as important right-hand-drive markets for the automaker to pursue in short order. The switch from LHD to RHD is surely made easier by the fact that the Lotus Elise, which shares a large portion of its chassis with the Roadster, was initially designed as a right-hand vehicle.

Interestingly, there's already a lone Tesla Roadster in Australia, but that left-hand-drive car was imported by a man named Simon Hackett for his own personal use at a cost of about $200,000 Australian dollars – nearly twice what a Roadster costs in the States. Click past the break to watch a short video segment featuring that car.

Photo copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Go Auto]

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Tags: green, right hand drive tesla, right-hand-drive tesla, Right-hand-driveTesla, RightHandDriveTesla, tesla, tesla australia, tesla india, tesla japan, tesla motors, tesla roadster, TeslaAustralia, TeslaIndia, TeslaJapan, TeslaMotors, TeslaRoadster