At the unveiling overnight, Tesla CEO Elon Musk placed an emphasis on the performance nature of the luxury sedan. The base model will be priced from $57,400, while two extra performance models with extra battery capacity will be priced from $67,000 and top out at $77,000.
Of the speediness of the Model, Musk said:
"That's quicker than a 911. Not bad for an electric luxury sedan."
Musk also highlighted the entertainment system on the Model S. He compared it to being akin to having an iPad in the console as it stores music onboard and will respond to music requests made by voice.
While some users might baulk at having to recharge the vehicle, Musk and his team have designed the vehicle to be as practical as possible. Using its QuickCharge system, the Model S will take only 45 minutes to charge up (With its fastest industrial charger, slower chargers take a more conventional five to 12 hours). Alternatively, owners can purchase a second battery and swap out the spent battery in just five minutes.
Tesla also used the launch of the Model S Beta to unveil its new Tesla Motors website, which contains a wealth of information about what to expect when the car reaches the market after it completes its Beta shakedown.
References
1.' Tesla Model S Beta...' view
