Armed with US government cash, Tesla's first electric sedan is inching towards production at an abandoned Toyota factory. We get up close and personal with the Tesla Model Beta 1.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
For average (well-heeled) people
With its Roadster, Tesla proved that its electric drivetrain technology works, but the Model S will be the company's first day-to-day car. The Model S will feature a minimum 260km range, with a more expensive version boasting 480km, along with luxury elements to justify its base price tag of US$57,400.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Velvet glove
The Model S is designed with graceful curves that give it a very pleasant appearance, although it falls short of a truly exotic look. Once in production, the Model S should easily blend in with traffic.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Air time
The Model S is made largely of aluminium to help reduce weight, an essential element considering the range issues associated with electric powertrains. Although the electric motor does not need a conventional grille, the grille is required for the climate control's air ducting and for cooling battery system.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Sedan of sorts
Although it looks like a sedan, there's actually a hatch at the back; five can be seated in the cabin.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Bumpy road ahead
The Model S uses rear-wheel drive with conventional suspension components, including Bilstein shock absorbers.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Whoosh
As an electric car, the Model S is very quiet, with tyre noise easily overwhelming the engine and drivetrain when travelling at speed.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Open sesame
Tesla managed to incorporate a glass roof, with a motorised section for open air driving.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Got much front
As there is no engine up front, the bonnet covers a small cargo area.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
People or things?
The rear of the car holds cargo or two children in these small jump seats, complete with four-point harnesses.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Second time around
Although this car is just part of the first beta run, the interior looks well finished.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Simplicity
Tesla keeps the controls on the steering wheel simple, with just two clickable scroll wheels. The drive selector, a part similar to that used in various Mercedes-Benz cars, is visible in the background.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Virtually there
The instrument panel is an LCD screen with completely virtual gauges; the graphics seen here are not the final product.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Everything's here
Tesla fits the Model S with a large centre screen for all the entertainment, navigation and climate control functions. Although this particular screen uses infrared for its touch capabilities, Tesla hopes to have a capacitive touchscreen ready in time for production.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Prototypical
This interface is not final, but indicative of where the designers are going with it. The icons across the top show some of the projected functions for the car's cabin electronics.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Google Earth or Navigon
The navigation systems use a data connection to download Google Earth imagery. There's also a Navigon navigation system, with locally stored graphical maps as backup.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Tiny motor
The actual electric motor is very small, when compared to a conventional petrol or diesel engine. So small, in fact, that it can sit along the back axle, feeding drive power to the wheels through a reduction gear.
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(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Power pack
The flat battery pack can be seen hanging underneath the car in this exploded model. It bolts to the underside of the cabin, forming a structural element in the Model S.
Via CNET
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