Tesla is making some big moves, literally.
The company is planning to relocate from its current headquarters in San Carlos, California, to a $250 million facility in San Jose, California, the construction of which will begin in the summer of 2009. The reason? The Model S, an all-new 4-door 5-passenger zero-emissions luxury sedan powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Unlike the
Tesla Roadster, which is built in partnership with
Lotus in the U.K. and based on a stretched
Elise platform, the Model S will ride on a platform developed by Tesla.
Tesla says the Model S will get about 240 miles per charge while still offering "exceptional performance." Numbers being bandied about include 0–60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The Model S will have a base price of about $60,000 (versus the Roadster's $109,000 price tag) when it goes on sale in late 2010. Tesla recently hired Franz von Holzhausen as its chief designer; he was formerly the director of design for
Mazda North America. His first project is to put the finishing touches on the Model S.
Tesla Model S (Sedan)
Threaded Mode