Tesla Model S in NYC: Party like it's zero-emissions night
Partying with the Tesla Model S - Click above for a high-res gallery
If there's one thing that goes incredibly well with expensive prototype vehicles, it's scratches from high heels. You also get this when some waif-y models (or could-be models) snag a drink and everyone's enjoying themselves. The scenes above and in the gallery below are from the Model S party in New York City last night as part of the whole Dave Letterman thing. Our friend and photographer Shannon A. also spotted Who Killed The Electric Car? director Chris Paine hanging around, as well as a Tesla-powered smart fortwo and a Roadster. Remember when the Roadster was the star of the show? Thanks to Shannon A. for the pics.!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 10:42PM (4/30/2009)
I dvr'd the letterman thing.
Wasn't in the mood to watch the interview so just ff through to get to the car reveal.
What a waste of time....
Just to see 12 seconds of the car and letterman pulling a joke that might have been funny if somebody half his age did it... and then doing it for way too long and all the while rudely continuing despite the guest trying to get a word in edgewise.
So... if you missed it.
You didn't miss much.
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brn 11:22AM (5/01/2009)
It's on youtube for those that care.
It was a great promotional opportunity for Tesla. It gave them positive exposure to a more general audience.
Letterman on the other hand, blindly beat up GM on the show. You don't have to like GM, but his attacks were narrow minded and ignorant. In that sense, it was a horrific promotional opportunity for GM.
I think you're giving the joke too much credit. It wouldn't be funny, no matter the age of the comedian.
Tohe 11:26PM (4/30/2009)
Seems like the Model S got tons of attention in NYC. Letterman was sick, I won't hold it against him, the Model S shines on its own and so does Elon.
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AIL 10:43AM (5/01/2009)
I am sorry but that is the biggest load of crap I have ever read on a blog. Elon holds his own? He is a complete and utter ass with one big lucky financial hit, who now has more power and money than any man of his maturity and composure should. He is a spoiled child of about 12. Between horribly mismanaged transmission problems, reports of rather creative accounting, claiming the auto industry should not get a bailout and then asking for a piece of it, using the press to call someone he does not get along with a douchebag, and his moronic email stunt, you should understand this by now. I like Tesla cars for the most part, but Elon alone is enough to turn someone off from the entire company. Yuck.
imoore 8:24AM (5/01/2009)
Sory, but the car still doesn't exite me much. All-electric cars may be fine for inter-city commuting, but for someone like me who has to travel at least 300+ miles on business or drives from Alabama to Detroit or New York or Boston for vacation, this car makes no sense. If they would make it a gas-electric hybrid, then maybe I would consider it.
And, what's with the two models? They look either drunk or bored, or maybe they're paid escorts?
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GoodCheer 9:50AM (5/01/2009)
Wouldn't your company pay for a rental car if you're driving that far (wouldn't they pay for a plain ticket... your time is their money after all)?
Making you drive all that way seems like a very inefficient use of company resources... of course I don't know anything about your company.
Tohe 11:06AM (5/01/2009)
Narrow thinking is more of a challenge than the absence of electric cars. Sometimes I feel hopeful, some others I do not. I see people being so creative, doing everything in their power to be more environmentally responsible, and then I see people who can't even thing outside the box, what a shame.
Tohe 11:07AM (5/01/2009)
"think" not "thing". Sorry.
mister nomer 12:45PM (5/01/2009)
GoodCheer: "Wouldn't your company pay for a rental car if you're driving that far (wouldn't they pay for a plain ticket... your time is their money after all)?
Making you drive all that way seems like a very inefficient use of company resources...?"
Tohe: "Narrow thinking is more of a challenge than the absence of electric cars."
Stop and think for a moment what you are saying. Renting a car is a tremendous hassle. I can't imagine anyone choosing to live this way if they had a choice.
Please consider the following:
My wife and I shared a car, an old car, for almost 3 years to save money when we were first married.
Because it was an old car we rented a car whenever we had to drive out of town to visit friends and relatives at least half a dozen times a year - Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, birthdays, kids being born, etc.
Renting a car whenever you have to go out of town sounds like a solution until you actually have to do it.
You have to call around to get the size of car you want (i.e. small, cheap) - good luck trying to do that before a busy holiday. Even on a regular weekend you might be totally out of luck because some convention is in town and nearly all the cars are rented out and you have to take what they have.
And, because of that, you might end up having to drive to the airport to pick up that car (and to drop it off). We sometimes did. This is not a fun thing to do on a Friday when you're trying to beat the rush out of town or on a Sunday evening when you are dog tired from a long drive.
Or, you go with the rental car agency in your neighborhood who know they are your only option and they give you the hard sell on insurance and add-ons.
Seriously, it hurts, it really hurts, to have to say the words: "I'm sorry I can't afford that" again and again to the sales guy.
This. Is. Not. Narrow. Thinking. This. Is. Real. Life.
Again, I can't imagine anyone choosing to live this way if they had a choice. And, that has serious implications for the great EV vs. PHEV & E-REV debate.
Thanks for your time.
Clh 6:35PM (5/07/2009)
Well you may have to drive far for work and to visit but 95% of the USA does not. Most people drive just 30 miles a day. Mabie a hybred would be better for you but that don't mean you have to hate on something that could do slot of help to getting the US off oil.
PeterG 9:02AM (5/01/2009)
@imoore
Initially I liked the range extender idea, but now I am back to thinking "different Horses for different courses."
Of course pure EVs aren't for everyone. But I think a pure EV like the i-miev makes perfect sense for the daily commuter in a multi-car family. It will be much cheaper than a Volt, weigh less and get better EV range. Tesla is aiming at the luxury part of that market.
When you stick in a range extender and attempt to be all things to all people you tend to end up being mediocre at all things. Expensive, short EV range and probably not the best long haul highway cruiser either. You are either a short range BEV hauling around dead weight ICE or a long range 70HP cruiser with dead weight batteries.
If I regularly did 300+ mile business drives, I would probably look at a diesel or Prius, before a BEV with range extender.
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Matt Peckham 10:38AM (5/01/2009)
Get your Bruno Maglis off the Tesla, woman!!! This isn't Sex in the City!
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Yikes 11:39AM (5/01/2009)
Does that hooker have her stiletto heel propped on the door panel?
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bluegreen 2:10PM (5/01/2009)
I just saw the Model S at the Plaza Hotel, that is one beautiful car. They had trouble getting the silver one out of the truck when I left but they had the white Model S (nonfunctional?) and the Roadster parked on the street. There were Interesting comments from random people in the crowd but in general Tesla has done wonders improving the perception of electric vehicles in the general population.
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