Surprise surprise. We have become accustomed to delayed launches, but Tesla turns the tables, two times over with announcements advancing the launch by a month! The Tesla Model S slated for an August launch was advanced to July and now the company has announced that the deliveries to customers are set begin from June 22nd!
“Major Tesla milestone: All crash testing is complete for 5* (max) safety rating. Cars can now be built for sale to public!” tweeted Elon Musk, Tesla Motors CEO and Chief Product Architect.
Several customers will receive their cars that day at an invitation-only event at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. Model S is the first premium sedan designed from the ground up to take full advantage of electric vehicle architecture. A revolutionary powertrain sits under the floorboard of Model S, creating an ultra-low center of gravity. An aluminum body engineered for superior handling and a range of 160, 230, and 300 miles with the 40 kWh, 60 kWh, and 85 kWh batteries respectively, sets the Tesla Model S spart from any other offering on the market. Of course, the range specified is at a speed of 55mph.
Without an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, the interior of Model S has more cargo space than any other sedan and includes a second trunk under the hood. Model S seats five adults and two children in optional rear facing seats and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds. The interior features a 17” in-dash touchscreen with internet capabilities, allowing for streaming radio, web browsing and navigation.
Model S test-drive events will begin rolling out to select North American cities in July. Tesla will be ramping up production throughout 2012 and plans to deliver 5,000 vehicles by year end. Reservations for the premium electric sedan currently exceed 10,000.
“In 2006 our plan was to build an electric sports car followed by an affordable electric sedan, and reduce our dependence on oil,” said Elon Musk. “Delivering Model S is a key part of that plan and represents Tesla’s transition to a mass-production automaker and the most compelling car company of the 21st century.”
