Based on the same vehicle platform as the Tesla Model S sedan, the TVP (Tesla Vehicle Platform), the Model X actually turns out to be sport crossover with a low center of gravity and nimble tight handling. Obviously, the torque from the electric power train helps assist in some aggressive lane changes.

Check out more news on the Tesla Model X.

The 7-passenger Tesla Model X comes standard in rear-wheel-drive but the company does offer an optional Dual Motor all-wheel-drive architecture. The second motor increases torque by 50% and allows for all-road and all-weather capability. With AWD, the Tesla Model X Performance version can run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds – that’s sports car performance right there.

The Tesla Model X will be available with two battery pack versions including a 60 or 85 kWh battery allowing for a range of up to 300 miles (for the 85 kWh model).

Before you get inside the Tesla Model X, it’s the way you open the rear passenger doors that will probably turn some heads. Known as ‘Falcon Doors’ the doors open up and out (even in tight parking spots) allowing you ample room to just step inside the all-electric crossover. Once you’re inside there easy third-row access and quite a bit of room for a total of 7-passengers. The driver seat is the most stylish with a Tesla Touchscreen 17-inch, high-res, multi-touch display and a high-res speedometer right in front.

The Tesla Model X will enter production in late 2013 and will start being delivered in early 2014. When you can order yours? Today, if you’re sold on it. The Model X will be priced comparable to a similarly equipped Model S but the company will give out more details as production nears.

- By: Omar Rana

The Tesla Model X will make its world debut at the SpaceX facility tomorrow – but before the covers come, we have some interesting bit of information for you. Word has it that the Tesla Model X will feature something called ‘Falcon’ doors.

Check out more news on the Tesla Model X.

What are falcon doors you ask? Basically the doors ‘lift up and fold – like the wing of a bird.’ The feature allows rear passengers to have minivan-simplicity of entering and loading the rear part of the Model X with car seats and cargo.

To see what it really looks like – you’ll have to wait and see tomorrow 8:00 pm EST.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek

Tesla has released a teaser for its new Model X crossover, which will make its world debut on February 9 at the Tesla L.A. Design Studio in Hawthorne, California.

The teaser shows shows the Tesla Model X’s grille and some of its sleek profile.

Check out more news on the Tesla Model X.

Tesla has sent out invitations to registered Tesla fans for the even. CEO Elon Musk tweeted about the Model X crossover on Friday saying that ‘most cars are pretty blah. This is not.’

We’ll find out more on how ‘not blah’ the Model X is. Sales of the Tesla Model X crossover are scheduled to start next year.

- By: Omar Rana

It seems like things just keep getting interrupted for Tesla and the production of their all-electric Model S luxury sedan. Two top engineers are said to have left the carmaker, giving stock shares a 15% bump after a record plunge of 19% last week.

“I’m highly confident we’ll deliver at least 20,000 cars” in 2013, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview. “I’m highly confident we’ll do better than the delivery date of the first Model S cars being in July.”

Despite what seems like a crucial loss, Elon Musk emphasized that the Tesla Model S’s release this year will keep on going, unaffected by the change in staff.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoNews

Luxury electric car maker Tesla has had its share of negative attention, but it is time now to forget that as they will be stepping back into the limelight with a new crossover in 2014 dubbed the Model X. According to reports, the model will debut as early as Feb. 9.

Sure the name is prozaic, but at an expected production of 15,000 units per year, this is potentially a game changer for the electric car industry, as possibly the most practical and present electric car out there. Sure it may cost a bit more than the Nissan Leaf, but if Tesla’s aims are indicative of the future, 15,000 per year is a significant amount compared to the 7,200 Leaves out there.

Check out more news on the Tesla Model X.

The good news (for Tesla fans) doesn’t end there: Tesla claims that the car will be roomier than an Audi Q7 and quicker than a Porsche 911. The Model S four-door will come out soon as well. The Model X will be introduced February 9 at Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne, California.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

The rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model S sedan measures 195.9 inches in length, 77.3 inches in width, and 56.5 inches in height. It sits on a wheelbase measuring 116.5 inches. Inside, the Model S offers 39.8 inches of front head room, 36.6 inches of rear head room, 42 inches of from leg room and 36.7 inches of rear leg room. Tesla says that the Model S can comfortably seat 5 passengers with a luggage capacity of 28.7 cubic feet (with seats up).

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

Alright let’s get to the more important part – the powertrain consists of a liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery and a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction with copper rotor electric-motor. There are three variants (Base, Signature and Performance) and three battery options to choose from.

• Tesla Model S 40 kWH: At 55 mph, estimated range for the model comes in at 160 miles with a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph. The Model S 40 kWh will enter production in winter 2012 with prices starting at $49,900. Tesla offers an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty.
• Tesla Model S 60 kWH: Estimated range comes in at 230 miles with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph. Production starts in Fall 2012 with prices starting at $59,900. Comes with an 8-year, 125,000 mile warranty.
• Tesla Model S 85 kWh: Estimated range of 300 miles with a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. Production starts in summer 2012 with pricing starting at $69,900. Warranty comes in at 8-years, unlimited miles.
• Tesla Model S 85 kWh Performance: Estimated range of 300 miles with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. Production starts in sumer 2012 with the price tag to start at $79,900. Warranty is the same has the Tesla Model S 85 kWh base. The Tesla Model S Performance includes $5,000 worth of standard equipment including nappa leather interior, alcantara accents, carbon fiber decor, active air suspension and sport-tuned traction control. It also gets performance wheels and tires.

Options on the Tesla Model Include:

• Nappa Leather (on base models, standard on Model S Performance): $1,500.
• 17-inch touchscreen, 7-speaker sound system: Standard.
• Tech Package: Turn-by-turn navigation, power liftgate, keyless entry, rear-view camera, xenon headlamps, 16 GB hard drive, two rear USB ports, Homelink and more: $3,750.
• Sound Package: $950.
• Active Air Suspension (on base models, standard on Model S Performance): $1,500.
• Rear Facing Seats for 5-feet little kids: $1,500.
• All Glass Panoramic Roof: $1,500.
• Twin Chargers (provides 62 miles of range per hour of charge): $1,500.
• High Power Wall Charger: $1,200.

- By: Omar Rana

Tesla said that its third-quarter net loss widened to $65.1 million from $34.9 million a year ago. Not counting some items, the loss totals 55 cents a share, Tesla said in a statement. Analysts had predicted earlier this year that the company would lose around 60 cents a share.

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk recently said that the company has already sold out of its new Model S electric sedan and should turn a profit in 2013.

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

In a letter to its shareholders, Tesla said that it had a ‘letter of intent’ from Daimler AG to supply the full powertrain for the Smart electric car and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback. Details of that partnership will be announced later this year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg

Musk said that the company has orders of more than 6,500 units of the Model S to be built next year. The electric Tesla Model S will carry a starting price tag of 49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500.

“They’re mostly new buyers,” Musk said. “Only about 600 people who have ordered Roadsters have also bought the Model S.”

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

While Tesla Motors has yet to turn an annual profit, Musk said that move could happen in 2013.

Refresher: The Tesla Model S sedan can be recharged from any 120v, 208v or 240v outlet. Depending on which Model S trim-level you chose, the all-electric sedan will provide you with a total range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. 0 to 60 comes in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed that is limited to 130 mph. Pricing is expected to come in at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. A $5,000 reservation fee is required but is refundable.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

The Tesla Model S sedan will finally hit showrooms early next year. According to new reports, the Cali-based electric automaker is also working on a successor to the Roadster and a rival to the BMW 3 Series.

The Tesla Model S is likely to be followed by convertible variant and will also spawn a crossover known as the Model X, which is due next year as well. CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company is also planning a new Roadster for 2014, which will no longer be based on a Lotus.

“Bob Lutz has said the Roadster prompted General Motors to do the Chevrolet Volt,” Musk said emphasizing the importance of the Roadster. “We’re trying to change the industry.”

The new Tesla Roadster will use the company’s third-generation platform, he said. ”This platform will spawn a range of cars in the next four to five years. “It’ll be a more mass-market platform for cars like a 3-series as well as the new Roadster. These cars will supplement the Model S range.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Remember the debacle between BBC’s Top Gear and Tesla Motors? No? Well, check out these articles to update yourself:

• Tesla Motors sues Top Gear over staged Roadster review
• Top Gear’s Executive Producer Andy Wilman speaks on Tesla Roadster case
• Elon Musk: Top Gear’s Tesla Roadster review was ‘completely phony’ and f*cked up

A new report states that Tesla Motors has lost a major part of its high court libel claim against Top Gear, but is still suing the show for “malicious falsehood” over the episode that showed Jeremy Clarkson driving the Roadster.

At a high court ruling in London today, Mr Justice Tugendhat said that no viewer of the show would have compared the Roadster’s performance on the show’s track to its real-life performance on a public road.

Check out the episode after the jump.

Tugendhat said:“In my judgment, the words complained of are wholly incapable of conveying any meaning at all to the effect that the claimant [Tesla] misled anyone. This is because there is a contrast between the style of driving and the nature of the track as compared with the conditions on a public road […] are so great that no reasonable person could understand that the performance on the [Top Gear] track is capable of a direct comparison with a public road.”

Tesla argues that it has seen a ‘continuing impact’ from the episode on its reputation. Tugendhat reserved Tesla’s malicious falsehood claim. A verdict is expected within weeks.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Guardian

“The agreement supplies Tesla with Panasonic’s lithium-ion battery cells to build more than 80,000 vehicles over the next four years,” Tesla said in a statement. “It guarantees the availability of enough cells in 2012 to meet Tesla’s aggressive production ramp-up and fulfillment of more than 6,000 existing Model S reservations. This supply agreement helps ensure Tesla will meet its cost and margin targets for Model S.”

The agreement builds on an already existing collaboration between Tesla and Panasonic. In 2009, Panasonic and Tesla initially entered into a supply agreement. A year later, Panasonic invested $30 million in Tesla.

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

“It is a powerful endorsement of our technology that Panasonic, the world’s leading battery cell manufacturer, has chosen to partner with Tesla to advance electric vehicle performance and value,” said Tesla Co-Founder and CEO Elon Musk. “Incorporating Panasonic’s next-generation cells into Model S batteries will ensure unrivaled range and performance. We are very grateful for our great partnership with Panasonic.”

Tesla is also a supplier of batteries and powertrains to Toyota and Daimler.

Refresher: The Tesla Model S sedan can be recharged from any 120v, 208v or 240v outlet. Depending on which Model S trim-level you chose, the all-electric sedan will provide you with a total range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. 0 to 60 comes in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed that is limited to 130 mph. Pricing is expected to come in at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. A $5,000 reservation fee is required but is refundable.

- By: Omar Rana

“The time is right to unveil the car,” said Musk. “I’ve seen the latest design for it and I’m very happy with it.”

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model X.

Musk said that the Model X, which is based on the same platform as the Model S and features the same powertrain, will blend the convenience of a minivan and an SUV. Musk has previously said that the Model X will ‘be the coolest SUV on the market.’

We’re looking forward to it Musk.

Refresher: The Tesla Model S sedan can be recharged from any 120v, 208v or 240v outlet. Depending on which Model S trim-level you chose, the all-electric sedan will provide you with a total range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. 0 to 60 comes in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed that is limited to 130 mph. Pricing is expected to come in at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. A $5,000 reservation fee is required but is refundable.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Tesla says so for that 0 to 60 comes in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed that is limited to 130 mph.But what if you want to go faster? At a press event this past weekend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the company is working on a faster Model S sedan that will cut 0 to 60 mph time to 4.5 seconds.

“That’s quicker than a [Porsche] 911 [Carrera],” Musk said. “Not bad for an electric luxury sedan.”

The sportier Tesla Model S will feature the same 85 kilowatt-hour, 300 miles-per-charge battery pack as the 2012 Model S Signature Series.

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

Musk said that it is working on increasing the range of the Model S Signature Series to 320 miles, as tested on the EPA 2 cycle test, with the help of aerodynamic wheels.

Pricing for the Tesla Model S is estimated to start at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. A $5,000 reservation fee is required but is refundable.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Green Car Reports

After receiving a $459 million low-interest government loans in 2009, start-up electric vehicle manufacture Telsa Motors says the brand will not be looking for additional funding from the Energy Department.

Elon Musk, Telsa Motors CEO, says “We don’t need any additional funding. We will not be applying for any,” and that the brand has “more money at Telsa than we need to complete the program.” The program loaned out $25 billion to automakers for production of vehicles with improved fuel efficiency.

The initial loans were used in the creation of the Model S, which will be debuting in 2012.

Reports last week stated that Tesla had requested an additional loan.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Detroit News

House Republicans want to cut another of Obama’s green-jobs program – one that provides many new start-up electric car makers some finance to get things going. It’s the same program under which Tesla received up to $465 million. That loan has helped Palo Alto electric-car maker open an electric powertrain factory at its headquarters and refurbish the NUMMI plant where it will build the Model S sedan.

The loans have helped Tesla add over 1,000 jobs with another 1,000 expected as production of the Model S ramps up.

Apparently, Tesla is now looking for another loan.

“Tesla has applied for a loan, in our continued mission to make more affordable electric vehicles,” Tesla spokeswoman Khobi Brooklyn confirmed in an e-mail to the Chronicle. She declined to say how much Tesla is seeking or what the loan will be used for.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: SFGate

Pulitzer Prize-winning automobile journalist has bet electric-car maker Tesla’s Elon Musk $1,000,000 that Tesla won’t reach its new release dates for the much anticipated Model S electric luxury sedan.

Because Musk, who is an entrepreneur, has made many comments and promises about the new Tesla Model S sedan and many of them have turned into busts, Neil had called Musk out on his failures. Musk was last heard making more promises about the new Tesla Model S, but Neil doesn’t believe that he can get it done.

To encourage Musk, Neil bet that lumpy sum of money and Musk would win if: a series of production models of the Tesla Model S have been delivered to paying customers before end of 2012; the Model S has seven passenger seats certified by the NHTSA with a four- or five-star safety rating (which doesn’t make sense, because the Model S is a sedan, not an MPV); it has to have a swappable battery pack; and the Model S price has to remain at the amount that Tesla and Musk had originally announced.

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

Neil said that if he wins, Musk must donate $1,000,000 to the “Doctors Without Borders” charity. But if Tesla wins, Neil will have to be the one to donate.

“I like, respect, and admire Musk,” Neil said. “And I want desperately to lose this bet. I know what it takes to start a car company. Credibility is the most important thing in the green-car climate; if you don’t deliver what people expect, it tends to discredit the technology in general.”

Tesla Model S Alpha:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Green Car Reports

A new Smart car is out and it’s an EV! Called the ForTwo Electric Drive, the third-generation EV features an all-new powertrain that was developed by Deutsche Accumotive while the old model used a Tesla-built system.

“The smart fortwo has exceeded itself. It has always been a pioneer of urban mobility and with the new electric drive it is once again setting standards with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility,” says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “With the new generation the frequently cited “electric era” has finally arrived.”

The new powertrain for the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive produces 74hp and goes from 0-60 in less than 13 seconds and onto a top speed of 75 mph. The new system also allows the Smart ForTwo to go up to 87 miles on one charge and replenishing takes less than one hour with its on-board charger on a European socket.

Prices have yet to be announced, but Smart says the ForTwo Electric Drive will debut at Frankfurt in September and will hit showrooms beginning in 2012.

- By: Chris Chin

Tesla Motors continues to test the new Model S electric-sedan before the vehicle begins deliveries next year. In a recent attempt to keep the buzz around the Tesla Model S, the company released a video of its new model driving with the legendary Tesla Roadster.

Click here for more news on the Tesla Model S.

Check out the video after the jump.

Side Note: Tesla really could’ve picked better background music.

Refresher: The Tesla Model S sedan can be recharged from any 120v, 208v or 240v outlet. Depending on which Model S trim-level you chose, the all-electric sedan will provide you with a total range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. 0 to 60 comes in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed that is limited to 130 mph. Pricing is expected to come in at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. A $5,000 reservation fee is required but is refundable.

Tesla Model S Alpha:

- By: Omar Rana