Founded in 2003, Tesla is an American electric vehicle company named after the inventor and electrical engineer, Nikola Tesla. The co-founders of Tesla are Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright, Elon Musk, and J.B. Straubel. Elon Musk is the current CEO after initially serving as chairman. In 2019, after being in the market for 11 years, Tesla is ranked as the world’s best-selling plug-in and battery electric passenger car. The company surpassed the 1 million mark of electric cars produced in March 2020 with the Model S surpassing 500 000 cars delivered, making it the world's all-time best-selling plug-in electric car.
In offering a range of luxury electric vehicles with advanced configuration options, Tesla continues to precede itself.
Tesla Model S
The Model S is a five-door liftback sedan and a Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive car with a top speed of 163 mph. When fully charged, the Model S has a maximum range of 402 miles. A 15-minute battery top up can be done at any one of the 18 000+ charging locations worldwide. This gives you a range of approximately 163 miles. This model comes in five different colors being Pearl White, Solid Black, Midnight Silver Metallic, Deep blue Metallic and Red Multi-Coat.
Autopilot is a highly advanced feature that allows the car to be operated, to a certain extent, without assistance. It was further modified to include the “Enhanced Summon” feature which allows the car to navigate itself through a parking lot without to its owner without having anyone in the driver’s seat. The Model S has wonderful features including a 17” touch screen, glass roof, seating capacity of five adults as well as automatic keyless entry, voice-activated controls, and many other additional features.
The Model S is rated as one of the safest cars on the road as it has a low center of gravity, minimizing rollover risk. It comes with eight airbags for driver and passenger heads, knees, and pelvis plus two side curtain airbags as well as collision avoidance, emergency braking, HEPA air filtration system along with many other inbuilt safety features.
This model has the quickest acceleration of any production sedan on earth with an explosive acceleration of 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds.
The Model S was first introduced in June 2012 with a starting price of $142 990.00 In October 2020, due to competition, Elon Musk reduced the price to $69 420.00.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is an electric four-door fastback sedan with the option of three different models, namely Standard, Long Range, and Performance. These have a varying range of capabilities from 263 miles to 353 miles. The Performance model has an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, a top speed of 162 mph, and range capability of 315 miles. The Long Range option on the other hand, has a lower top speed of 145 mph, an extended range of 353 miles, and the acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Finally, the Standard version comes in with a top speed of 140 mph, a range of 263 miles and a slower acceleration of 5.3 seconds for 0-60 mph. The Model 3 is an All-Wheel-Drive Dual Motor. Dual motors respond in as little as 10 milliseconds to changing conditions. This cars seating capacity is comfortably five adults.
All models have full self-driving hardware which have periodic software updates which adds to the vehicle’s functionality. The first limited Model S cars were produced in July 2017 after being unveiled in March 2016. This model is a smaller, simpler and a more affordable electric car. The Model S was designed and built to be the first mass-market electric car as well as designed to achieve the highest safety rating in all categories. In March 2020, the Model 3 was named the world’s best-selling electric car in history with more than 500 000 units delivered.
The starting price on the Model 3 Standard is $39 990.00 followed by the Long-Range models starting at $48 990.00 and then the Model 3 Performance costs $56 990.00.
Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is a 5-star safety rated mid-size all-electric luxury SUV with the achievement of being the first SUV to be awarded a US NHTSA 5-Star safety rating in all categories and subcategories. This model has side impact protection and has one of the lowest rollover risks of any SUV on the road. The Model X has comfortable seating for up to seven adults. It comes with falcon doors to facilitate easy access to the second and third rows and the doors are equipped with sensors to monitor the surroundings and can therefore open in the tightest parking spaces. It comes standard with Auto Pilot, Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive and has a towing capability of up to 5000 pounds. The storage capacity on this vehicle is 88 cu ft. There are several additional conveniences from the large glass panoramic windshield which offers unparalleled views, keyless entry, heated seats throughout, wiper blade defrost and many more additional features.
The Model X has a range capability of 371 miles and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds which is the quickest of any SUV on the road.
A prototype of the Model X was launched in February 2012 with the first deliveries of the Model X in September 2015. The Model X was ranked seventh amongst the world’s best-selling plug-in car in 2016 after only one full year on the market.
The Tesla Model X pricing starts at $79 990.00 which puts it in the pricier vehicle arena of the luxury hybrid and electric SUV range. The warranty is currently 8 years, infinite mileage battery and drive unit warranty. In addition, it comes with a four-year, 50 000-mile limited warranty.
Tesla Model Y
As all other Tesla models, the Model Y was created to be the safest vehicle in its class. This model is an electric company crossover utility vehicle (CUV) and was unveiled in March 2019 with the commencement of production in January 2020. This model is the second vehicle based on the Model S sedan platform with an optional third-row seat for a seven-passenger seating configuration which is planned for Q4 2020.
Four different powertrains are on offer in the Model Y range: Standard, Long Range, Long Range with Dual-Motor AWD and Performance. The Long Range AWD and Performance vehicles are currently available and the Standard RWD option will be available early 2021.
The Model Y has a high efficiency powertrain with ultra-responsive motors which provides 0 – 60 mph in a quick 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 mph. The Standard edition has a maximum range of 230 miles and the Long Range will give you an additional 70 miles to take it to a maximum of 300 miles per full charge.
With a spacious interior that can accommodate up to 7 adult passengers and their luggage, the Model Y offers superior performance and comfort with excellent road holding on any road condition. The interior offers a panoramic glass roof which give the feeling of spaciousness for every seat. The loading capacity has the option of a split seat configuration offering a generous 66cu feet of storage space. Accessing the vehicle has a keyless configuration that can be controlled via a smartphone for seamless entry and exit. A 15-inch touchscreen interface handles all the car controls.
With a low center of gravity, rigid body construction and large crumple zones, the Model Y offers unparalleled protection and the aerodynamic design provides energy efficient styling.
UNVEILED AND WAITING FOR PRODUCTION
Tesla Roadster (second generation)
This model is not currently in production and will be the successor to Tesla’s first production car, the 2008 Roadster. The 2020 Tesla Roadster is a four-seater 2 + 2 coupe configuration sportscar concept with a removable glass roof. This model is will have the acceleration capacity of 0 – 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, which will be quicker than any street legal production car. The Roadster is however is not in production yet and the sales are to set to commence after the release of the of the revised Model S Plaid.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has stated that the Roadster will have a range of 620 miles on a 200kWh battery pack and 0 –100 mph in 2.1 seconds and a top speed of over 250 mph. Three electric motors will power an all-wheel drive configuration allowing for incredible cornering and great stability.
Several SpaceX packages will be included to add to the acceleration capabilities, these include mini rocket and air thrusters which will add even more speed to the Roadster. At the time of announcement, the base price was set at $200 000 with a $50 000 deposit to secure a vehicle.
Tesla Semi Truck
The Semi Truck can handle a full payload of 80 000 lbs. Without a trailer, it will reach 0 – 60 mph in 15 seconds, this will take an equivalent diesel truck up to one minuet to achieve. Along with this, it can climb 5% gradient at a steady 65 mph. The Semi Truck does not require any gear shifting or clutching for smooth acceleration and deceleration and its regenerative braking recovers 98% kinetic energy which gives the vehicle infinite brake life.
Two prototypes where displayed with ranges of 300 miles and 500 miles, powered by four electric motors. Additional extensive set of hardware sensors which assists in maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
The Semi Truck’s cabin is designed around the driver offering a variety of features to assist the driver in entering and exiting the vehicle along with being able stand fully upright in the cabin. A touchscreen positioned on either side of the driver gives all the information required to navigation, blind spots and electric data information.
Safety is a major feature focus on the Semi Truck as the architecture and design levels are higher than any other heavy-duty truck available. An example of this is the reinforces battery hat shields the Semi Truck from impacts and provides a low center of gravity. Jackknifing is prevented by sensor that detect any instability while driving and surrounding cameras provide a total view of the vehicle surroundings.
The entry level price of the Semi is $150 000.00 for the 300-mile range and $180 000.00 for the 500-mile range.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Cybertruck is an all-electric light duty truck, which is available in three motor configurations, specifically: Single Motor, Dual Motor and Tri Motor drive chains. All three models will be available with range capabilities of 250 – 500 miles per full charge. The acceleration of 0 – 60 mph will be between 2.9 seconds and 6.5 seconds depending on the model.
The Cybertruck has a framework construction of ultra-hard cold rolled stainless steel, being the best available product. The adaptive air suspension has a four-inch play in either direction with a ground clearance up to 16 inches. The approach angle is 35 degrees and departure 28 degrees. The towing ability of the different models will be between 7000 - 14 000 lbs a Storage capacity of 100 cu feet of lockable space and a payload capacity of 3 500 lbs.
The Tesla Cybertruck is designed to be a truck that is useful with the performance of a sports car in which offers spacious seating of up to six adults.
The starting price of the rear-wheel drive (RWD) model was said to be $39 900.00 and the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model starting at $49 900.00. Dual motor AWD and tri-motor AWD models are set to start production in later 2021 with the rear-wheel-drive model in 2022.
Tesla Model S Plaid
The Model S Plaid has 1100 horsepower and has an acceleration capacity of 0 – 60 mph in under two seconds and a quarter mile in less than nine seconds making this the quickest production car ever. This tri-motor AWD vehicle will offer a driving range of 520+ miles as well as being able to reach a speed of 200 mph and has three motors which gives the ability to control what wheels on the opposite are doing which gives many handling possibilities. This Tesla model is made for drivers that want to go extremely fast and therefore comes with a high price tag starting at $139 990.00.
The Model S Plaid features have not been published yet but is stated that it may be like the current Model S which includes options of five different colors, HEPA filtration system, interior features of a touch screen as well as an auto-pilot option. Tesla has indicated that the goal is to have a full self-drive option, but this has not been reached yet. The Model S Plaid is set to commence production in late 2021.
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