Tesla Model S hands-on
I’m in love with with electric cars, and since I first got wind of Telsa’s all-electric luxury sedan, I knew it would probably be the first car I’ve owned in about a decade. Tesla was kind enough to put a Model S prototype on display at their Menlo Park showroom, and I have to say, as a total gadget geek, it didn’t disappoint: I’ve got a video tour and a photo gallery both posted after the break. (Direct links here to video and photos.)
The Model S is clearly early hardware, but the styling is impeccable (I’m an especially big fan of the jet engine turbofan-inspired wheels). And the massive, 3G-connected console touchscreen could be a game-changer — especially since they’re not just stopping with built in Pandora and Google Maps, and are intending to open the platform up to app development (presumably anywhere from telemetrics to voice-enabled email). Naturally it’s hard to give a full assessment on the Model S given the fact that most of its systems were deactivated and they weren’t providing test drives, but I think there’s little doubt Tesla’s on the right track. Fingers crossed these guys make it to production!
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Very cool! Thanks for posting this!
100% awesome. Those door handles actually made me laugh out loud. I have everything crossed this comes to the UK. Thanks for the close-up Ryan!
thanks ryan! good stuff…yet again!
i don’t like those door handles…i think they’re cool…but don’t you think it just adds to repair problems/etc..? plus if there’s like a dog or a monster running towards you, and you need to get inside quick, you have to wait for that little think to come out!
thanks again dude! hi to V!
Jose, actually, from what I understand the car will be able to detect your presence remotely, and by the time you are close enough to get in the door handles should already be extended for you! But yes, in the end it is just one more thing you potentially have to repair…
Sold…. I’ll take it!
Why do they say that it is a 7 seater?
I love the touchscreen but I think it would be great if they had an option to have standard controls just incase. Having a screen of that sorts is something that the DOT / CA Gov’t isn’t going to particularly deem as safe, IMHO. Most Toyota/Lexus vehicles have that annoying feature (which you can mod btw) that inhibits user inputs with speeds >5. Sucks for passengers.
Is this the rumored ~$50k model?
Cool article. I know gdgt and engadget are friendly competitors now, but as the Engadget crew were geeking out this week on the Puma and peapod and you have always had a big interest in rlectric cars…well what about a roundtable or a Engadget-gdgt cross guesting couple of podcasts on electric cars in general and trasport tech specifically?
One more thing…Lady V just gets back from overseas and YOU GO LOOK AT A CAR? Hey, I want gdgt to roll out last month too but you are working a little too hard guy and its impairing your thinking. :)
Put the bong down kids. That screen will never
make production as is in the US. sad to say.
Also, electric cars are a great concept
as electricity comes from magic right? Oh
Wait in the US electricity comes from..wait
for it…..COAL.
Thanks for the post. The screen looks very impressive, but it does bear the potential of being a major distraction for the driver. Let’s hope that most of the info is voice assisted.
JC, actually, where I live most of our power comes from wind, followed by hydro and nuclear. That said, a full charge on pure coal electricity still results in less carbon than burning a tank of gas.
What is the last word on mileage ? Autonomy?
Excellent! I was hoping to see so more info on this car. Thanks.
Looks like the “Internet” button wasn’t working on that huge NAV screen? (video clip) ;-) Nice looking Tesla.
Ryan, those screens look like Glare City. Do you think that will impair usability on bright, sunny days?
Scott, hard to say. The screen wasn’t TOO glared out IMO, but who knows how bad it could get in direct light (especially with that glass roof).
That said, I’d be pretty shocked if they didn’t give it an anti-glare coating, you know?
Very cool car. TBH I hadn’t really looked into to see what it would look like, but I’m thoroughly impressed by the video. The styling is very nice, and although the door handles are cool, they will probably just create problems(which is a side effect of cool).
Who said thier is no innovative American car company. This Tesla car look like an Maserati brother. And being electric and under 80 grand is no brainer.