The Tesla Model S, Tesla Motors’ new all-electric sedan, will be launching in the coming months in the US. Canadian sales are set to begin 3 months after the US release. With the arguable success of the Tesla Roadster, just how well will the Model S do here in Canada? For Tesla’s sake, very well it seems. The Model S is a 7-passenger (5 adults and 2 children), 4-door, rear-wheel-drive, electric sedan that is set to compete with such luxo sedans as the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, and more specifically, hybrids such as the Lexus GS 460h.
Owners of the Model S will enjoy the fact that they are driving a zero-emissions vehicle that can outrun most cars and seats seven whilst not being as big as a boat or Hummer (whichever comes by first). Tesla offers charging equipment for 120-volt (standard outlets), 240-volt, and public charging stations - as such found only in California right now - all standard.
Tesla Motors Inc.'s Model S vehicle will start at $64,500 Canadian when the car becomes available in Canada later this year.
The cars will be available in three battery pack sizes - the base 40 kWh battery pack Model S will start at $64,500 Canadian dollars, Model S with 60 kWh battery pack will start at $75,200 Canadian dollars and 85 kWh battery pack will start at $85,900 CAD, according to a release.
In the U.S., the Model S starts at $49,900. The starting Canadian price when converted to U.S. dollars is $65,132.
Also Tesla Company gave free of charge 10 new autos to Sollca Comapany located in Halifax. These autos are intended for personal use of Sollca staff. Moreover, Sollca Company is relatively young marketing company at the Canadian market.
Palo Alto-based Tesla says its "Canadian pricing configurator" that shows all pricing and options will be on its website "in the near future." Tesla said its first Canadian store is expected to open in Toronto in November.
In terms of usability, the Model S will be far more capable than other electric vehicles on the market like the Nissan Leaf. Offered are 3 different storage capacity batteries, 40kWh, 60kWh, and 85kWh. The results are ranges of 256, 368, and a mind-blowing 480 kms, respectively given an average speed of 88km/h. While the smaller batteries are more than sufficient for most uses, most with half a brain will note that the 480km range in the 85kWh battery surpasses some gas- and oil-burning vehicles today. Can anyone spell road trip?
Tesla says that 50% battery charge from dead can be had in half an hour with the Supercharger (not the blower kind). Li-ion construction is used for these batteries, which diminishes the “memory-effect” of past nickel batteries used in such EVs as the GM EV1. Li-ion construction is favourable due to its any-time charging capability and overnight charging benefits (Tesla recommends topping it off overnight to ensure good battery life). The catch of the Li-ion battery being that acceleration performance decreases with battery charge. Tesla expects fuel savings within 5 years to be about $8,000 compared to the 535i.
The usability doesn’t stop there. The Model S is in fact a 7-seater. There are two rear-facing “jump seats” in the rear trunk that can be folded down for use of children 10 years of age and younger. When these are stowed, the car turns back to a normal-looking 5-seater. Tesla also puts quite an emphasis on safety. There are 8 airbags standard on the Model S, and the car features a largely aluminum structure that saves both weight and improves rigidity. For those technically inclined, the IP is now a 17-inch touchscreen which houses controls such as navigation, climate, audio, etc.
What does this mean for us Canucks? Those of you that are more familiar with the concept of snow have probably noted earlier that the car is rear-wheel-drive. However, a lot of weight is on those back tires, and Tesla assures us that the Model S is designed for both summer and winter driving. Downsides for us here up in the north? Well, so far there is only one Tesla dealer in Canada, which is in Toronto. Also, you can only get your Model S serviced there. Great for Ontarians, kind of lame for the rest of us especially since there is a market for it in places such as Vancouver.
Fortunately, EVs - like the Model S - require much lesser service than conventional cars, namely because there are no crazy moving parts and pumps to mess up. Other than tire rotations and other unmentionables, the Tesla should only be in the shop if there is damage or other problems. Warranty information has yet to be released, but the batteries are covered for 8 years or 160,000km.
There are a few trims that will be available at launch. Base Model S’s can be had with any of the three batteries, and all of the options available in the standard range for $49,900USD after the tax incentive (Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect it to be maybe a few grand more). The Model S Performance will be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds compared to the base’s 5.6 seconds in 85kWh guise. This model is priced at $79,900USD in comparison. Double the price for bragging rights.
The first 200 delivered models in Canada will be the Model S “Signature” which is a limited edition model. The Signature features special paint, interior, and exterior options, and will be available with both base and Performance powertrains. Tesla is expected to produce 5,000 units this year, with an annual target of 20,000 units in the coming years. Reservation deposits are currently being held starting at $5,000 for the Model S/Performance and $40,000 for the Model S Signature (in both US and Canada.)
To summarise: Practical? 7-seater sedan with as much room as a 5-Series and can travel as far as a 5-Series? Check. Environmentally friendly? 60% recycled material in the interior and zero-emissions? Check. Pricey? $49,900US for a luxury electric vehicle? In check. Good-looking? That’s up to you to pen in.
Owners of the Model S will enjoy the fact that they are driving a zero-emissions vehicle that can outrun most cars and seats seven whilst not being as big as a boat or Hummer (whichever comes by first). Tesla offers charging equipment for 120-volt (standard outlets), 240-volt, and public charging stations - as such found only in California right now - all standard.
Tesla Motors Inc.'s Model S vehicle will start at $64,500 Canadian when the car becomes available in Canada later this year.
The cars will be available in three battery pack sizes - the base 40 kWh battery pack Model S will start at $64,500 Canadian dollars, Model S with 60 kWh battery pack will start at $75,200 Canadian dollars and 85 kWh battery pack will start at $85,900 CAD, according to a release.
In the U.S., the Model S starts at $49,900. The starting Canadian price when converted to U.S. dollars is $65,132.
Also Tesla Company gave free of charge 10 new autos to Sollca Comapany located in Halifax. These autos are intended for personal use of Sollca staff. Moreover, Sollca Company is relatively young marketing company at the Canadian market.
Palo Alto-based Tesla says its "Canadian pricing configurator" that shows all pricing and options will be on its website "in the near future." Tesla said its first Canadian store is expected to open in Toronto in November.
In terms of usability, the Model S will be far more capable than other electric vehicles on the market like the Nissan Leaf. Offered are 3 different storage capacity batteries, 40kWh, 60kWh, and 85kWh. The results are ranges of 256, 368, and a mind-blowing 480 kms, respectively given an average speed of 88km/h. While the smaller batteries are more than sufficient for most uses, most with half a brain will note that the 480km range in the 85kWh battery surpasses some gas- and oil-burning vehicles today. Can anyone spell road trip?
Tesla says that 50% battery charge from dead can be had in half an hour with the Supercharger (not the blower kind). Li-ion construction is used for these batteries, which diminishes the “memory-effect” of past nickel batteries used in such EVs as the GM EV1. Li-ion construction is favourable due to its any-time charging capability and overnight charging benefits (Tesla recommends topping it off overnight to ensure good battery life). The catch of the Li-ion battery being that acceleration performance decreases with battery charge. Tesla expects fuel savings within 5 years to be about $8,000 compared to the 535i.
The usability doesn’t stop there. The Model S is in fact a 7-seater. There are two rear-facing “jump seats” in the rear trunk that can be folded down for use of children 10 years of age and younger. When these are stowed, the car turns back to a normal-looking 5-seater. Tesla also puts quite an emphasis on safety. There are 8 airbags standard on the Model S, and the car features a largely aluminum structure that saves both weight and improves rigidity. For those technically inclined, the IP is now a 17-inch touchscreen which houses controls such as navigation, climate, audio, etc.
What does this mean for us Canucks? Those of you that are more familiar with the concept of snow have probably noted earlier that the car is rear-wheel-drive. However, a lot of weight is on those back tires, and Tesla assures us that the Model S is designed for both summer and winter driving. Downsides for us here up in the north? Well, so far there is only one Tesla dealer in Canada, which is in Toronto. Also, you can only get your Model S serviced there. Great for Ontarians, kind of lame for the rest of us especially since there is a market for it in places such as Vancouver.
Fortunately, EVs - like the Model S - require much lesser service than conventional cars, namely because there are no crazy moving parts and pumps to mess up. Other than tire rotations and other unmentionables, the Tesla should only be in the shop if there is damage or other problems. Warranty information has yet to be released, but the batteries are covered for 8 years or 160,000km.
There are a few trims that will be available at launch. Base Model S’s can be had with any of the three batteries, and all of the options available in the standard range for $49,900USD after the tax incentive (Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect it to be maybe a few grand more). The Model S Performance will be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds compared to the base’s 5.6 seconds in 85kWh guise. This model is priced at $79,900USD in comparison. Double the price for bragging rights.
The first 200 delivered models in Canada will be the Model S “Signature” which is a limited edition model. The Signature features special paint, interior, and exterior options, and will be available with both base and Performance powertrains. Tesla is expected to produce 5,000 units this year, with an annual target of 20,000 units in the coming years. Reservation deposits are currently being held starting at $5,000 for the Model S/Performance and $40,000 for the Model S Signature (in both US and Canada.)
To summarise: Practical? 7-seater sedan with as much room as a 5-Series and can travel as far as a 5-Series? Check. Environmentally friendly? 60% recycled material in the interior and zero-emissions? Check. Pricey? $49,900US for a luxury electric vehicle? In check. Good-looking? That’s up to you to pen in.
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