New teaser picture of Tesla Sedan released 2/20/09

[PeakOilGarage]

http://peakoilgarage.com/2009/02/20/new-update-from-tesla-motors-on-the-model-s/

New teaser picture of the Tesla Sedan released today. It won't be fully revealed until March 26th.



Tesla Model S teaser picture

Here are another previously released teaser photo of the Tesla Sedan.

[efusco]

I'm gonna need a quiet moment alone...wow that is sweet.
The text that came with the teaser pic (directed toward prior Roadster buyers):
Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from customers since we provided a teaser photo last week, we decided to offer a special opportunity to you – the early adopters of the Roadster. You have been instrumental in our early success, and we appreciate your continued passion and belief in Tesla’s vision.
Instead of waiting until March 26 to reserve a Model S Signature Series, you may reserve one now for a $40,000 refundable reservation fee. There will be 1000 Signature Series sedans each for US and Europe delivery. As with the Roadster Signature Series, your vehicle production number is a function of when the reservation payment is received.
At the launch party, we’ll open reservations for the Model S Signature Series and the regular Model S sedans to everyone. According to our current production plan, only the Signature series is expected to be delivered in 2011, with regular production starting in 2012. Roadster owners will receive a $10,000 discount off the final sales price of the Signature Series Model S.

[Rokeby]

The Telsa is out of my price range. Still, it interests me greatly as a
cutting edge all-electric that will set the bench marks for those that
follow.

I wonder, are the rims unidirecional, that is, different for the two sides
of the car?

And why not more disc-like as a nod to max aero efficiency as for the
most part braking, I would assume, will be mostly through regen with
little need then to force air over the brakes.

Then again, perhaps they are part of the pre-release hoopla... a styling
exercise meant to grab the viewer's attention, but subject to change.

[Tideland Prius]

oh wow!!! It's starting to look good.

[usbseawolf2000]

The rims are like a fan shaped to blow out air as the car roll forward.

[PriuStorm]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

The rims are like a fan shaped to blow out air as the car roll forward.

Why then wouldn't they be asymmetrical from side to side? Like on the 2010 Prius, the rims are the same whether mounted on the left or the right, but on the one side they flare forward and the other side they flare backward. If they serve a purpose (to blow out air), then they have to point in the same direction on both sides to work effectively (otherwise one side is always working 'against' the airflow. Unfortunately doing it this way will make it difficult to rotate tires from side to side.

[Rokeby]

FWIW, the rims look like front office tom-foolery to me.

First, there's the question as whether they actually act to move air
across the brake disks. That's not even a certainty.

Second, if they do move air, the rims as shown would be forcing air
inward cross the brakes and then under the body, where as I
understand it there is already a slight over pressure situation, and the
last place you'd want more air. And yes, this would require
unidirectional rims, different on the two sides of the car

Then there's the matter of the weight and rotational inertia of the
massive rims themselves, 19s or 20s would be my guess.

Lastly there's the extremely low profile tires, most probably very
wide, with attendant power train efficiency losses.

Looks like a little desperation is creeping into the ad copy...
They're trying to sell the sizzle, not the steak...

[efusco]

Originally Posted by Rokeby

FWIW, the rims look like front office tom-foolery to me.

First, there's the question as whether they actually act to move air
across the brake disks. That's not even a certainty.

Second, if they do move air, the rims as shown would be forcing air
inward cross the brakes and then under the body, where as I
understand it there is already a slight over pressure situation, and the
last place you'd want more air. And yes, this would require
unidirectional rims, different on the two sides of the car

Then there's the matter of the weight and rotational inertia of the
massive rims themselves, 19s or 20s would be my guess.

Lastly there's the extremely low profile tires, most probably very
wide, with attendant power train efficiency losses.

Looks like a little desperation is creeping into the ad copy...
They're trying to sell the sizzle, not the steak...

I suspect there will be both sizzle and steak, much like the Roadster.
This is a HOT car and if they can get the 250mile range and performance numbers approaching the roadster in a family sedan...I am SO in!

[PeakOilGarage]

Tesla is projecting two different versions of the Sedan. One model with a 160 miles range. Another model with a 300 mile range.

They are designing it so that the battery is swapable. If you are planning a longer trip, you could take the Tesla Sedan to the service center and rent a long range 300 mile battery.

In testing Tesla has a charger (in the lab) at 480 volts and 160 amps that will recharge a Tesla Roadster (53 kwh) in 45 minutes. They are planning on strategically locating these high power chargers in certain locations. For example, at a restaurant between Los Angeles and Las Vegas would be an ideal location. Between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe has also been mentioned.

[efusco]

STOP, you're killing me..can I get one...yesterday?