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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Electric car maker Tesla has revealed the production version of its Model S luxury electric hatch.
The Model S is a five-door similar in size to the BMW 5-series. It is due to go on sale in 2012, and it is likely to be sold in the UK soon after the car’s launch. Tesla’s European HQ will open in London later this year.
Tesla Model S pics
Tesla’s engineering boss, former Jaguar and Lotus man Peter Rawlinson, said the car is “deep in the design and engineering phase”.
Tesla claims the Model S will seat seven, with standard front and rear seats for five and two rear-facing seats in the boot, in the style of the Mercedes E-class estate. Luggage goes under the bonnet. Tesla CEO Elon Musk told Autocar that the firm is still trying to improve head room.
Musk said he plans to build around 20,000 Model S hatches a year, but that figure could rise to 30-40,000 with the addition of other variants on the S platform. Rawlinson told Autocar that two extra models are likely, chosen from a crossover, a coupe and a cabrio.
The firm also revealed it has now sold 1000 of its Lotus Elise-based Roadsters.
Dan Stevens/Steve Cropley
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