It’s finally here. The pictures, that is, not the car. You’ll have to wait until Q3 2011 to get one of these in your garage. And that’s only if Tesla gets government funding and a good chunk of deposits. So how much vaporware electric sedan do you get for USD$49,900?
An astonishing amount, actually. You get a 486 km max range, a 5.6 second 0-97 kph, a 45 minute charge time, 21-inch wheels, Brembo stoppers, a 17″ LCD Nav screen, LED headlights, LED taillights, a honking big battery pack, and style that makes the Porsche Panamera weep. The rather attractive design is courtesy of ex-Mazda and ex-GM designer Franz von Holzhausen, who penned the Mazda Kabura concept as well as the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky. The styling is a bit derivative in that it takes many cues from Maserati and Jaguar, but there may yet be tweaks before production.
This unbelievable price and equipment takes into account a $7,500 tax rebate that the Tesla S will be eligible, should it reach the light of day.
You can colour us impressed with the level of fantasy the Tesla S promises. The level of equipment won’t all be on the base $49,900 model, but even if half of it is, the sedan represents an astonishing value.
