Lotus Elise and Exige Recall Affects Most Tesla Roadster Models

As most of you may already know, the all-electric Tesla Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise with which its shares numerous parts including the rear hub flange bolts that have been deemed defective. According to the NHTSA, on some vehicles the bolts may be under-torqued and could become loose. The two companies issued separate notifications on the matter with Tesla saying that the recall affects 345 Roadster models manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009 (out of a total of 400 cars sold until May 2009) while Lotus is recalling 27 Elise and Exige vehicles built from January 14 through May 5, 2009.

Both recalls are expected to begin in June. Tesla owners may contact the company at 1-877-888-3752 while Exige and Elise drivers can call Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.

Fact of the Day: Tesla Motors Worth Half of GM's Value!

We are more than aware that this doesn't mean squat in the real world, but nevertheless it's something worth noting. Last Wednesday's announcement that Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG's paid $50 million US or about €37 million to acquire a 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors, means that the value of the California-based maker of electric cars is $550 million US, or 47 percent of what General Motors is worth today based on the firm's current stock price ($1.17 billion US)! Needless to say, GM's stocks have taken a deep plunge lately as the June 1 government-imposed bankruptcy deadline looms.

"It's sort of amusing to see the valuation being half of General Motors," remarked Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard in an interview today. "There always seems to be this huge disparity between the stock price of high-growth Silicon Valley companies and blue-chip companies that are reasonably mature."

Via: Bloomberg

Mercedes' Parent Company Daimler Acquires 10% Stake in Tesla Motors

Turns out that the yesterday's rumors were spot on as Mercedes-Benz' parent company, Daimler AG, announced today in a press conference in Stuttgart that the German firm has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of Tesla Motors. The two companies that have already sealed a deal to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of the electric Smart car, said that new partnership will allow them to work even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects.

As part of the deal between the two firms, Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler AG, will take a seat on Tesla's board of directors.

"Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the lithium-ion pouch-cell battery developed by Daimler and especially designed for automotive applications is of interest to the California-based company that recently unveiled the all-electric Model S sports sedan which is scheduled to enter the market in 2011.

"We are looking forward to a strategic cooperation in a number of areas including leveraging Daimler's engineering, production and supply chain expertise. This will accelerate bringing our Tesla Model S to production and ensure that it is a superlative vehicle on all levels," said Musk.

Mercedes-Benz Parent Company to Announce New Electric Vehicle Partner - Could it be Tesla?

In a few hours from now, Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler AG, will announce details on a new "strategic cooperation" for its electric car business. While the German firm did not disclose the name of its partner, rumor has it that it could be Tesla Motors as the two companies have already struck a deal for the Smart EV program which involves the outfitting of 1,000 electric Fortwos with Tesla's lithium ion battery pack and charging systems. We'll update this story as more details become available.

Video Humor: Hitler has had it with Tesla and the EV Industry

Using a classic scene from the 2004 German movie 'Der Untergang'" (The Downfall) that depicted the final twelve days of Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker and Nazi Germany in 1945, the folks over at EVCast created a short parody with Hitler blowing a fuse on Tesla and the rest of electric-car industry. If you're looking for a quick laugh, then just hit the jump and enjoy.

Via: Autoblog Green , Source: EVCast

Tesla Accepts More Than 700 Pre-Orders for Model-S in Two Weeks

In spite of the fact that the first examples of the Model S won't roll off the company's production line in California before late 2011, Tesla Motors has received 711 orders for its all-electric sports sedan in the two weeks that followed the unveiling of the car. The estimated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a US federal tax credit of $7,500, with customers required to pay a $2,000 refundable deposit. There's also a Signature Edition that will be produced in 2,000 units which requires a hefty $40,000 reserve fee which is also refundable.

The Model S that can accommodate up to seven passengers -five adults and two children at the rear cargo area- features an electric drivetrain launching the sports sedan from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to a an electronically limited top speed of 120 mph (209 km/h).

The sports sedan come with three available battery pack choices that offer a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles (257, 370 or 482 kilometers) per charge. The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in 45 minutes.

Tesla Model S Sports Sedan: First Live Videos on the Road

These are the first videos with driving footage of Tesla's all-electric Model S sports saloon that was introduced last week to the members of the press more than two years ahead of its scheduled U.S. and European market debut in late 2011. From the looks of it, the Model S was filmed making a few rounds on the road before and after the official presentation in Hawthorne, California, with the company's CEO Elon Musk behind the steering wheel. Hit the jump to watch the videos.

Tesla Model S Electric Sport Sedan: High-Res Gallery and Official Details

The wraps finally came off Tesla's all-new, plug-in electric sports sedan, the Model S, on Thursday in Los Angeles. Concisely, the Model S can seat up to seven passengers (we'll explain this below), sprint from zero to 60mph or 96km/h in just 5.6 seconds and go up to 300 miles or 480km on a single charge. First deliveries in North America and Europe will begin in late 2011 with the U.S. model featuring a base price of $57,400 or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500.

Now onto a more detailed view on the Model S. The photos reveal that Tesla's designers were heavily influenced by European cars and in particular the Jaguar XF when it came to the notchback's buttocks and profile and to a less extent, the Maserati GranTurismo for the car's front-end styling. Similarities aside, the Model S looks the part and we reckon that its design will be one of its strong points.

So what's with the seven seats, we hear you ask? Well, Tesla claims that the Model S which has an overall length of 196-inches (4,978mm) or somewhere between a BMW 5 and 7-Series, offers seating for five adults plus two rear-facing and foldable seats for children in the rear cargo area. Even in this configuration, the Model S can still carry some of your luggage as it has a second trunk under the hood.

Tesla's second model after the Roadster comes equipped with an electric drivetrain that includes an electric motor, a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, launching the BMW 5-Series-sized sports sedan from naught to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph or 209 km/h. In the near future, Tesla aims to enrich the Model S' range with Sport and AWD versions.

The Model S will be available with three different battery pack options capable of offering a range of up to 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. Tesla said that the battery pack can be quick-charged in 45 minutes at a cost of about $4 - or so the California-based company claims.

2011 Tesla Model S All-Electric Sports Sedan Photos Leaked!

The first official photographs of Tesla's highly anticipated Model S have been prematurely leaked into the internet ahead of the all-electric sports sedan's official debut which is scheduled for this afternoon in Los Angeles. And yes, the first thing that came up to our mind is that the Model S's rear-end and profile bear a 'chilling resemblance to the new Jaguar XF.

Tesla's new proposal is set to arrive on the market in late 2011 with an anticipated base price of $57,400 or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. We'll have more info and photos of the Model S latter on in the day.

Via: Jalopnik

Tesla Model S All-Electric Sports Sedan to Start from $57,400

In its latest newsletter, Tesla officially confirmed that its forthcoming Model S which will be revealed in prototype form on March 26, 2009, will have an anticipated base price of $57,400 (€43,700 with today's exchange rates) or $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500, when it goes on sale in late 2011. This means that the Model S will not only cost half the price of the Tesla Roadster that begins from $109,000, but also that it will be priced significantly lower than Henry Fisker's plug-in hybrid Karma sedan that starts from $87,900.

"Because of tax incentives and relatively inexpensive maintenance and refueling, the lifetime ownership cost will be closer to cars with far lower sticker prices," the company stated.

Tesla aims to roughly split initial sales of its all-electric four-door sports sedan in North America and Europe, with Asian markets following shortly after.

Tesla Gives an Upskirt of its Model S All-Electric Sports Sedan

On March 26th, 2009, Tesla will unveil a fully-working prototype of its forthcoming Model S sports saloon, but until then, Silicon Valley's famed electric carmaker decided to tease us by lifting the covers on its all-electric sedan. Evidently, there's much we can say about the car's design from this photo, but it does look promising. The Model S will enter production in 2011 and according to Tesla's chief investor Elon Musk it will go up against cars like the Lexus GS 450h hybrid, the diesel Mercedes E-class, and the Chevrolet Volt.

As a gesture of gratitude for their early support, Tesla announced that the firm's Roadster owners will receive a $10,000 discount off the price of the Model S Signature series and automatically be first in line for the sedan when it goes on sale.

Tesla to Build All-Electric Luxury Sedan in California in 2010

Continuing its investments, Tesla Motors announced that it is planning to build a $250 million facility to manufacture a zero-emission luxury sedan in the heart of Silicon Valley. Named Model S, the five-passenger sedan will be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and according, it is expected to have a base price of $60,000 and get around 240 miles or 386 km per charge. The first sedans will likely roll off the Tesla’s new assembly line in late 2010. Tesla’s President and CEO Ze'ev Drori said that construction on the 89-acre site would begin in the summer of 2009 and when fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 1,000 workers. -Continued

The company also said that it will relocate its corporate headquarters and research and development efforts to a consolidated campus in San Jose, California. Tesla, which currently produces the all-electric, two-seater Lotus Elise-based Roadster, said that it chose San Jose in part because the region already enjoys a high concentration of highly skilled engineers and support infrastructure. The new factory will be located 20 miles from the current headquarters in San Carlos.

The new plant won’t affect the Roadster as Tesla has no plans of moving production from the Group Lotus PLC factory in Hethel, U.K. Last week the company said it was ramping up production as about 1,200 people have already put down deposits for the Roadster. So far, Tesla has delivered only about 30 Roadsters.