Tesla to Extend its Lineup with an All-Electric SUV by 2014

*Opening Photo: Tesla Model S

Lately, the folks over at Tesla have been very busy developing the upcoming Model S sedan and, together with Toyota, the all-electric version of the RAV4 compact SUV. But there’s more, as according to an LA Times report, the California-based automaker is also working on a small SUV of its own, currently named Model X.

Scheduled to go on sale by 2014, the new crossover model is said to offer more cabin space compared to similarly sized SUVs thanks to the electric powertrain, which, unlike an internal combustion engine and conventional transmission, needs less space.

Tesla hasn’t released any other information, but it’s quite possible that the Model X will follow in the footsteps of the Roadster and Model S. That means customers can expect good handling characteristics, multiple battery pack options to suit specific autonomy needs and a versatile interior. Last but not least, Tesla’s SUV should also qualify for some kind of federal tax credit.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: LA Times

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Tesla Model S Road Testing Underway [with Video]

It has been a long journey, but it looks like the Tesla Model S all-electric sport sedan is one step closer to series production as the California-based automaker announced it is moving on to the final road tests. The first phase called Alpha, which began in 2010, includes both computer simulations and test-drives of prototype vehicles. There will be a Beta phase as well.

“The first Alpha is amazingly agile for a car of its size. It has great handling balance and poised ride with communicative steering. Just goes to show what combining a low center of gravity with a very stiff body structure can achieve”, said test drive Graham Sutherland.

According to Tesla, Alpha cars will be tested in the coming months in all sorts of climatic conditions, which should help engineers improve the EV’s driving dynamics.

Tesla’s second model after the Roadster offers seating for five adults and two children. The Model-S' drivetrain consists of an electric motor coupled to a single-speed transmission and a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. Customers will be able to specify their cars with one of three available battery packs offering a driving range of up to 160, 230 or 300 miles (258, 370 or 483 kilometers).

Roughly the same size as a BMW 5-Series, the Model S sprints to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h). Production is set to begin in 2012 and Tesla is currently taking orders, with the base price set at US$49,000, including a US$7,500 Federal tax credit.

By Csaba Daradics

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Fulton Innovation Wirelessly Charges Tesla Roadster

A few days ago we brought you the news that GM will begin offering in-car wireless charging mats for mobile phones as an option from Q3 2012. These devices, that are making big waves at trade shows both in the U.S. and around the world, do away with the pesky cords and bulky adapters of old, replacing them with two conductive metal plates (i.e. one on the back of your phone and one in your car).

So imagine if you could charge your electric car this way. It should be simple, right? You’d just need to upscale it to suit charging a bigger battery. Well, at the 2011 CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Fulton Innovation showed such a gadget by wirelessly charging the be-all and end-all of electric vehicles: the Tesla Roadster.

The eCoupled Powerspot, as it is called, works on the same principles as its smaller cousins and can even provide you with charging updates through a smart phone app. Do you want to keep track of how much it costs to recharger your electric car? The app can do that too.

There’s even a video, though admittedly it’s not very interesting. No electrical arching or unearthly humming noise here, I’m afraid; just a silent, practical vision for the future. You can check out the video for yourself, if you’re so inclined. There’s no indication of when this technology will be available, though I suspect we will be seeing it within the next five years or so.

It has, after all, been used by Hino to recharge electric busses for at least the past two years. It’s not so much a matter of if but when, and whether it can be made cost effective. One thing is for sure, the future for electric vehicles just got a little brighter.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Jalopnik & The Next Web

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Tesla Recalls 439 Roadsters Over Potential Fire Hazard

Tesla Motors has initiated a voluntary safety recall on its battery-electric Roadster 2.0 and 2.5 models following the discovery of a potential fire hazard involving an auxiliary power cable.

The California-based automaker said it became aware of the problem after a single incident where an auxiliary cable "chafed against the edge of a carbon fiber panel in the vehicle causing a short, smoke and possible fire behind the right front headlamp of the vehicle."

The affected 12 volt auxiliary cable is located in the passenger wheel well behind the right headlight. It is part of a backup system that provides power to systems including the front and rear lights, turn signals and airbags in the event the primary 12 volt power system fails or drops below a certain threshold.

Tesla said it has assured owners of the 439 affected Roadsters that it is merely a precautionary measure and does not affect the main battery pack or power systems in any way. It also does not affect Roadster 1.5 models (vehicles with a VIN ending in 500 or before), as these vehicles do not have the 12 volt auxiliary cable installed.

Owners of the affected models are being notified by email and post, and can make an appointment for Tesla service staff to inspect the cable and install a protective sleeve to prevent any further incidents. This can be done at the owner's home or place of work and takes approximately one hour. The appropriate regulatory agencies have also been notified.

By Tristan Hankins

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Tesla Partners Up with Toyota to Develop EVs, Acquires NUMMI Plant

Tesla recently finalized its purchase of the advanced (and apparently extremely clean) NUMMI production facility in order to build its upcoming Model S sedan. Tesla hopes to build as many as 20,000 units per year in the southern California facility that's capable of building one million units annually.

Other than some potential spin-offs using the Model S platform (like an electric GT), there's a lot of capacity. That's where Toyota steps in. Toyota and Tesla will be working together to develop electric vehicles. their parts, and the engineering behind them.

The new facility will hire up to 1,000 new employees initially from one of the brightest pools around: Silicon Valley.

After Toyota bought $50 million of Tesla common stock, Akio Toyoda explained some of the rationale behind the decision:

"Through this partnership...Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has. Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business. By partnering with Tesla, my hope is that all Toyota employees will recall that 'venture business spirit."

Stay tuned, because these two companies working together could create something really special.

By Phil Alex

VIDEO: Home Made VW Beetle EV "Black Current" Shocks Tesla Roadster

Here's a short clip of a home-made, electric-powered VW Beetle nicknamed "Black Current" (which jets off the line like a penny racer) taking on Tesla's Roadster at the Santa Pod drag strip. According to the info, it was an "Alternative Energy Racing" event, something that will likely be getting more and more common in the future.

The "Black Current" bug is powered by a pair of forklift truck motors with 60 12 volt batteries and a Gearvendor over/under drive unit. This set-up is said to produce around 1200lb/ft of torque offering the Beetle EV a 0-60mph time of around 3 seconds.

The official times for the quarter mile run at the drag strip were 11.76 seconds for the Beetle and 12.75 seconds for the Tesla. Take THAT, Elon Musk.

By Phil Alex

Source: Retro-motoring

Tesla EYE Compact EV Concept by IED Turin Set for Geneva Debut [With Video]

The EYE is a conceptual study by Italy's IED Turin in collaboration with Tesla Motors for a sporty C-segment hatchback model with an all-electric drivetrain. Designed with European and Asian consumers in mind, the EYE will have its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2.

The futuristic looking concept is the product of the work of eleven Master Course students at the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin (IED), coordinated by Luca Borgogno, senior designer with Pininfarina and by Andrea Militello, Senior FIAT designer.

Measuring 4,250 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, 1,360 mm in height and with a wheel base of 2,650 mm, the 2+2 seater hatchback model is similar in size to a VW Golf. More details about the car will be released at the official presentation in Geneva, but for now, hit the jump to watch a video of the EYE.

Lotus Elise and Exige Recall Affects Most Tesla Roadster Models

As most of you may already know, the all-electric Tesla Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise with which its shares numerous parts including the rear hub flange bolts that have been deemed defective. According to the NHTSA, on some vehicles the bolts may be under-torqued and could become loose. The two companies issued separate notifications on the matter with Tesla saying that the recall affects 345 Roadster models manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009 (out of a total of 400 cars sold until May 2009) while Lotus is recalling 27 Elise and Exige vehicles built from January 14 through May 5, 2009.

Both recalls are expected to begin in June. Tesla owners may contact the company at 1-877-888-3752 while Exige and Elise drivers can call Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.

Fact of the Day: Tesla Motors Worth Half of GM's Value!

We are more than aware that this doesn't mean squat in the real world, but nevertheless it's something worth noting. Last Wednesday's announcement that Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG's paid $50 million US or about €37 million to acquire a 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors, means that the value of the California-based maker of electric cars is $550 million US, or 47 percent of what General Motors is worth today based on the firm's current stock price ($1.17 billion US)! Needless to say, GM's stocks have taken a deep plunge lately as the June 1 government-imposed bankruptcy deadline looms.

"It's sort of amusing to see the valuation being half of General Motors," remarked Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard in an interview today. "There always seems to be this huge disparity between the stock price of high-growth Silicon Valley companies and blue-chip companies that are reasonably mature."

Via: Bloomberg

Mercedes' Parent Company Daimler Acquires 10% Stake in Tesla Motors

Turns out that the yesterday's rumors were spot on as Mercedes-Benz' parent company, Daimler AG, announced today in a press conference in Stuttgart that the German firm has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of Tesla Motors. The two companies that have already sealed a deal to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of the electric Smart car, said that new partnership will allow them to work even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects.

As part of the deal between the two firms, Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President E-Drive and Future Mobility at Daimler AG, will take a seat on Tesla's board of directors.

"Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the lithium-ion pouch-cell battery developed by Daimler and especially designed for automotive applications is of interest to the California-based company that recently unveiled the all-electric Model S sports sedan which is scheduled to enter the market in 2011.

"We are looking forward to a strategic cooperation in a number of areas including leveraging Daimler's engineering, production and supply chain expertise. This will accelerate bringing our Tesla Model S to production and ensure that it is a superlative vehicle on all levels," said Musk.