Details on the upcoming Tesla all-electric sedan and updated Roadster
When Tesla Motors unveiled their all-electric Roadster in July, they announced that a more affordable family EV sedan would be coming in the near future. The English website Autocar recently heard more details on the sedan from Tesla VP Mike Harrigan.
While still pricy at £30,000-£40,000, (about US$58,000-$77,000) the Tesla sedan (not yet named) will offer the same gas station-free experience as the roadster, and the £40,000 version even has a longer range than the sports car (the £30,000 sedan is capable of 200 miles between charges, the $100,000 Roadster gets 250 and the £40,000 sedan gets 300 miles). The sedan will look similar to the BMW 5-series, be made of lightweight steel (not bonded aluminum like the Roadster) and be sold around the world. The rear-wheel drive sedan will have the electric motor in the front, and between 10,000 and 20,000 units will be produced each year.
A revamped Roadster (also costing around $100,000) will be ready in about 2010.
I love the idea of a long-range electric family car, but the price is high for most families, though, don't you think? We'll wait for more details on battery life and final cost and see where gas prices are when the sedan is released before we can determine if this car is economically reasonable. A Tesla sedan's cool factor and environmental benefits are not in question.
[Source: Autocar via Pistonheads]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Anthony Nunley 8:44PM (9/09/2008)
In 2004 I had a plan to start a electric car company. It would be the first one to have cars that looked good and speeds from 0-60 in under 5 seconds. An investor read my plan and went with someone else. A few months later Tesla introduced the Tesla Roadster. I was upset for about a year. Now I have invented a better car than the roadster and a better plan for the for getting it out to the public. I have realized that America is out for themselves. Everyone is trying to get over on each other. The Tesla Roadster is a great vehicle but it would've been much better if the person (myself) with the original idea. With the growing number of electric cars popping up, it is getting hard to get any assistance. I wish I had never shared my business plan. But if I hadn't there would be no Tesla.
I wish Tesla the best of luck with in the future. They will continue to grow until I get an honest investor that won't give my plan to someone else for his own personal gain. That's the American way. No Respect for people without money, No honor, the rich getting over on the poor. That's why things take so long to get done, because our government makes it hard for people without money to invent things.Right the industry is waiting for me to give them more ideas.
Reply
eddie bond 12:37AM (12/17/2008)
The best car innovation in the world,when will you import to Australia,
Reply
Chris M 1:41AM (12/17/2008)
Did you realize that this post is over 2 years old (Nov 27th 2006)?
As of December 16, 2008, Tesla is in production and has shipped over 100 cars, starting in the US market. Europe is next, they plan deliveries there in 2009. How soon they reach Australia depends on several factors, including the economy, production rates, and how difficult it is to pass Australian auto regulations.
Tim 3:44PM (11/27/2006)
I like the way they think... GO TESLA!!
Reply
John 7:23PM (11/27/2006)
If the sedan has similar amenities and performance as a 5 series, then the price should not be an issue. At the $58-77k USD range, people are going to expect nice supple leather and all the do-dads in sedans priced in the same league. If its a quality car, it will do very well. The Roadster justifies its price because it looks and performs like a $100k car.
Now while the sedan may be able to hold a family in comfort, the price is beyond what most families can afford. I understand the company is young, production low and development costs are high. If they are ever to sell mass volume, the sedan will have to be priced competitively with the Camry and Accord hybrids. I assume this is the goal and I hope we will one deal realize it. While EVs for the well to do are a good way to make R&D cash, for Tesla to make a real impact they must bring an EV product practical for the common person.
Now if the new Tesla sedan is sized like a 5 series but has the finish and amenities of a sedan half its price....then that could spark problems as you limit your market to the EV enthusiast and those who are willing to back up their beliefs with 10s of thousdands of dollars. Unfortunately that is not something most people are in a position to be in. Bottom line is the sedan will have to be a nice car. Spend money on getting the interior and styling right and not a plastic fantastic crap fest.
Reply
George Krpan 1:05PM (11/28/2006)
Good and too expensive. Others will fill the niche for a low priced electric car. Check out Venturi of France. This is what I mean.
Reply
Lithous 10:03PM (11/27/2006)
"and the £40,000 version even has a longer range than the sports car (the £30,000 sedan is capable of 200 miles between charges, the $100,000 Roadster gets 250 and the £40,000 sedan gets 300 miles)."
Wow. People love them some Tesla. If GM or Ford, who have been in the auto business for decades make a claim people are ready attack it. Tesla makes a claim about future plans and then all the sudden it is current tense. So the sedan actually "has" that range does it? And it "is" capable of what? And "gets" what?
Gee, it must be nice. Have Lotus engineer an aluminum tiny ass thing and then you make claims about *future* steel bodied vehicles that *will* do even better and next thing you know, it is a fact.
"Oh what a feeling, Tesla!"
Reply
Elmer 12:30AM (7/20/2007)
Now we just need this to become more "Miata-fied." Lower price, lower weight, less luxury features (for those who don't want them), maybe even models with less range or less power, and we could really have something here.
I think a sedan would be nice, but wouldn't a less powerful (0-60 in, say, 6 or 7 seconds would still be verv good) and less expensive version be a better place to start?
Reply
keith 3:51PM (12/19/2007)
"less expensive version be a better place to start?"
NO!
Right now the research and development costs are high and production has to be low because of capabilities so their has to be higher prices to keep the company profitable.
That is important on so many levels.
-------------------------
@Lithos
Chill out. GM had their chance... www.whokilledtheexlectriccar.com
----------------
I think Tesla is doing everything right to produce a company that will be good for the environment and profitable to stay in business and keep making cars.
They also may sell their patents/technology to other car manufactures.... which isn't a bad idea if you want to make a positive enviro change. It will hinder your competitive advantage... but I think they can still keep it with cool looking cars and other unique features.
p.s. I am saving up for a sedan! but I wish it got 400 miles so I can drive to Mammoth from San Diego on a single charge... I will just have to stop somewhere which is fine though.
Reply
Keith 3:53PM (12/19/2007)
I almost forgot...
They also have a cheap coupe version coming out after the sedan that will be less expensive and nicknamed the Blue Star.
I heard something like 25-30 thousand dollars.
I might wait for that!
Reply