Perhaps you've already heard about the startup of the silicon valley electric car Tesla S. He rightly can be called the king of electric cars. Most recently, according to the magazine Motor Trend, Tesla S became the best car in 2013. Maneuverable, fast, completely silent and at the same time incredibly comfortable and roomy. The most surprising thing is that the Model S was the first winner in the 64-year history of the award given to cars without an internal combustion engine.

Special attention deserves a unique electric drive, which demonstrates excellent running characteristics. The production uses the latest technologies and technical solutions, the rights to which are actively protected by the company. In total, the startup already has 250 patents.

The body of the car is made of aluminum, so it has a low weight. Pendants are also mostly aluminum. Between the rear wheels is located the most powerful induction-type AC motor. In the production of an electric motor, the use of rare earth metals is excluded, which improves the environmental friendliness of cars, making it one of the most environmentally friendly cars in the world.

Produced Tesla Model S in 4 trim levels. Depending on the configuration, Tesla Motors offers three different modifications of the lithium-ion battery - 40 kWh, 60 kWh and 85 kWh (for two trim levels), the batteries provide a run-in reserve without recharging 225, 320 and 426 km respectively. The power of the car with the base transmission and the 85 kWh battery is 362 hp. and 440 N * m of torque. The most advanced Perfomance package can boast 416 hp. and 600 Nm.

Design

Let's talk a little about the design. Many manufacturers producing both serial and electric concept cars, try to highlight the electrical nature of their car. Chief designer Tesla Franz von Holzhausen did not attach unusual shapes of Model S, in order to draw the attention of buyers to the high technological adaptability of cars. Due to the fact that the Model S has a compact electric transmission, the car is very spacious. The engine is not in front, so the luggage can be placed under the hood and at the rear of the car. The total capacity is amazing, it's as much as 1800 liters (63.4 cubic feet).

Like the comfortable luxury cars, the Model S interior is made of wood and leather. If you pay attention to the front panel, then there is a unique user interface. The central place is occupied by a huge touch screen. On-board computer Tesla controls almost everything from the air conditioner to the steering. The basic equipment includes 19 '' disks, a separate option can be purchased audio system with a hard drive and 12 speakers, as well as much more.

Efficiency

Now we answer the question, and how effective this car is. Regardless of whether you drive on gasoline, electricity or even on horses, everything requires energy consumption. Here, the Tesla Model S is an undoubted leader, the manufacturers were able to achieve a result of 118 miles per electric arc (approximately 2 liters of gasoline per 100 km). The figures are impressive, especially considering that the weight of the car is 2160 kg, but from 0 to 100 Model S accelerates in just 4.1 seconds!

Security

Tesla has installed all standard passive safety systems. Unusual solutions in the body structure, provide additional protection for passengers. Engineers Tesla Motors argue that the safety of their offspring exceeds the standards. Crash tests were carried out at a speed of 80 km / h (standard 56 km / h). With regard to active safety, the Model S has excellent stability and an amazing smooth ride. Anti-lock system is calibrated taking into account the high torque of the electric motor and the use of the regenerative braking system, which is installed in electric cars.

Price

The base price for the initial configuration is $ 58,570, being a competitor to Mercedes-BenzE-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. A charged version of Signature Performance with a battery of 85 kWh will cost $ 106,900. A fairly high price for a car, but considering that the average consumption is 3.16 liters of gasoline per 100 km, the Model S costs 19 cents per km of mileage (the calculation is based on the cost of 1 kWh of electricity in California at 4 rubles) .

Supercharger

The most capacious battery will last for as much as 426km, but you can not count on more distant journeys without recharging, so Tesla has presented as many as 6 petrol stations called Supercharger, located along the routes connecting Los Angeles with Las Vegas and San Francisco with Reno. By 2015, the company promises to open 100 gas stations across America.

Assumptions about when the king of electric cars will reach Russia remain a mystery, at the moment the main priority market for Tesla Motors is the United States. Let's hope that all the plans of the start-up will be realized and Tesla will finally reach us.

Photogallery Total | 13 pictures