-
Car News
Go to Home PageVisit Leftlane's home page for the very latest car news, analysis, editorials, opinion, and more. Updated several times per day.
-
Step 1
Car Info & Pics
Car Information
Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specs, and pictures.
-
Step 2
Reviews
Car Test Drive Reviews and Videos
Our team of experts have driven hundreds of new car models from virtually every automaker, Get their unbiased impressions here.
-
Step 3
Build & Price
Build & Price a New Car
This tool enables you to Build & Price a new car. Optionally, you can then request a price quote from a local dealer based on your selections.
Leftlane's Configurator is currently in BETA and some models are missing.
-
Step 4
Buy A Car
-
- Select Distance
Zip Code and Search Radius are Required to Proceed.
Get a Local Dealer Price Quote
Find New Cars on Dealer Lots
Listings provided by new car dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
Find Used Cars in Your Area
-
Future Cars
Browse Upcoming Future Cars
Go to Future HomeBrowse the latest spy shots or videos of unreleased vehicles.
Tomorrow's Most Popular Cars
-
Tools
Compare Cars
Select make and model of the vehicles you would like to compare
Find a Dealer
Other tools for Shoppers & Owners
Leftlane offers a collection of helpful tools for car shoppers and owners, helping to make spending decisions easier.
Basic Specs
| Base Price | $57,400 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | TBD |
| City (MPG) | TBD |
| Hwy (MPG) | TBD |
| Horsepower | 435@TBD |
| Torque (lb-ft) | TBD@TBD |
| Wheelbase | 116.5 |
| Length (in.) | 195.9 |
| Width (in.) | 77.3 |
| Height (in.) | 56.5 |
The Model S sedan marks the first truly in-house vehicle to come from Tesla. The Roadster and Roadster Sport models shared shells with the Lotus Elise, where as the Model S is a wholly self-developed and designed unique sedan in its own right.
The Tesla Model S also promises to deliver a strong value proposition, coming in considerably cheaper than the smaller Roadster models, with a base price under $60,000. The Model S will be available in three basic battery flavors – 40, 60 and 85 kWh, each of which will give it a range of 160, 230 and 300 miles, respectively.
Performance enthusiasts will want to step up to the Model S Performance at $79,900, which adds the 85 kWh battery, as well as a high performance drive inverter and carbon fiber exterior accents. For $5,000 on top of that, buyers can add a Nappa leather and Alcantara leather interior, an air suspension with sport-tuned traction control and unique 21-inch alloy wheels and tires.
Other options for all models include a glass panoramic roof ($1,500), aerodynamic wheels ($1,500), metallic paint ($750), a Tech package with navigation, a backup camera, HID headlamps and a few other goodies ($3,750) and a 580-watt audio system ($950).
Twin chargers ($1,500) and a high power wall unit ($1,200) allow for a faster charging process.
For those truly intent on making the most of their Model S experience, a range-topping Signature trim level starts at $87,900 and adds a few appearance upgrades. A Signature Performance model – at $97,900 – is by far the most expensive Model S, but it is both the fastest and most exclusive. The Signature models are the first Model Ss to go on sale and they’re limited to just 1,000 examples.
Model S is a rather dramatically styled four-door sedan. A sloping roofline gives it the appearance of a four-door coupe while the rear looks to have been influenced by the Jaguar XF.
Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, the front end styling of the Model S will be the future face of the electric automaker. Short front and rear overhangs not only give the Model S a clean, sporting look, but also allow for the maximum interior volume. Large 19 or 21-inch wheels sit at all four corners, giving the Model S a truly planted look.
Inside, the Model S’ interior is highlighted by a 17-inch touch screen. The large screen controls all of the vehicle’s radio, navigation and HVAC functions and is also highly customizable. The Model S comes packed with 3G wireless internet and HD satellite radio.
In keeping with the Model S’ green theme, Tesla offers chrome-free vegetable tanned Italian leather on the interior, and 100 percent recycled PET carpeting from Futuris.
Tesla claims the Model S has "more room than station wagons," which seems to be proven by the sedan’s seating capacity for five adults, plus optional rear-facing seats for two small children in the cargo area.
But where the Model S really shines is in its performance. The electric sedan will be offered with a range of up to 300 miles for the 85 kWh variant, and a QuickCharge system that takes only 45 minutes to top off the EV’s battery, given the correct electrical connection. For those looking for even faster fueling, the Model S’ battery can also be swapped out in just five minutes, making it compatible with Shai Agassi’s Better Place initiative.
The Model S’ door handles even retract for improved aerodynamics, proving Tesla really has an eye for efficiency. Despite its 3,825 lbs. curb weight and single-speed transmission, the Model S can make the sprint from zero-to-60 mph in 4.4 seconds if equipped with the Performance package.
The Model S’ stopping power is just as impressive as its acceleration, thanks to six-piston Brembos up front and four-pot calipers out back. The Model S can haul itself down from 60-to-zero in just 135 feet. All-wheel drive will become available down the line, giving the Model S even more sure-footedness.
Key competitors
The model S is expected to rival other EVs, like the plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma, as well as traditional luxury vehicles, like the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Similar Cars
left-
2012 Acura RL
-
2013 Tesla Model S
-
2012 Cadillac CTS-V
-
2012 Hyundai Equus
-
2013 Lexus GS 450h
-
2012 Lexus IS F
-
2012 Infiniti M Hybrid
-
2012 Infiniti M37
-
2012 Infiniti M56
-
2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC
-
2012 BMW M3 Sedan
-
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
-
2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
-
2012 Audi A7
-
2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
-
- General
- Body Style: Sedan
- Size: Midsize
- Market Segment: Luxury, Electric
- Weight: TBD
-
- Exterior
- Length: 195.9 in.
- Width: 77.3 in.
- Height: 56.5 in.
- Wheelbase: 116.5 in.
- Ground Clearance: 6.1 in.
- Front Track: 65.4 in.
- Rear Track: 66.9 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
-
- Interior - General
- Seats: 5
- Passenger Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume: 28.7 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
-
- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 42.0 in.
- Head Room: 39.8 in.
- Shoulder Room: 57.6 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 36.7 in.
- Head Room: 36.6 in.
- Shoulder Room: 55.0 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
-
- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Engine Type: -
- Power: 435 hp @ TBD rpm
- Torque: TBD lb-ft @ TBD rpm
- Transmission: 1-Speed Fixed Ratio
- Highway Fuel Economy: TBD
- City Fuel Economy: TBD
- Forced Induction: Supercharger
- Direct Injection: Yes
-
- Chassis
- Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
-
- Wheels
- Front: 19" Aluminum
- Front Tires: TBD
- Rear: 19" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: TBD
-
- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
-
$0
Step 1 - Trim
-
$0
Step 2 - Options
-
Step 3 - Get a Local Quote
