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Tesla Model S Aimed at Eco-Conscious Families
Oct 08 2009 by Courtney Messenbaugh
I’m always complaining about the lack of fuel efficiency in cars that are roomy enough to carry a family and their gear. My complaining could come to an end with the introduction of the Tesla Model S, a fully electric sedan that can seat seven.
Tesla already has an electric car — the Tesla Roadster — on the roads. It’s a two-seater that’s styled like a Lamborghini and can go 244 miles on an electric charge. With a price of more than $100K and limited passenger space (i.e., no space for my kids), it’s much better suited to the Hollywood A-list lifestyle than to my mama lifestyle. Enter the Model S. Not only is it half the price — it starts at $49,400; that price includes the federal tax credit — of the Roadster, but Tesla says it’ll seat five adults and two children (in jump seats in the cargo area, but it’s hard to tell from the pictures — we’ll see). There are two Latch connectors, too.
Tesla claims this car has more cargo space than your average sedan. Of course, there’s the usual cargo space you’d find under the back hatch, but there’s also cargo space under the hood. The 60/40-split rear seats fold flat, and word is you can fit a mountain bike, a drum set or a 50-inch flat-screen TV in there. Tesla claims the Model S will rival SUVs and minivans in its passenger-carrying capacity and versatility.
The Model S can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, the automaker says. A full battery charge will get you 300 miles, which is at least enough oomph to get me to Aspen, Colo., the closest place to Hollywood we have here in Colorado. Now I just need to figure out how to get a test drive in a S Model, so I can verify Tesla’s claims and start living the A-list life!
