Tesla Model S News
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A company by the name of QWest Norfolk based in the United Kingdom late last year completed development of a wagon conversion for the Tesla Model S. The company is a carbon fiber specialist and chose to use the lightweight stuff for the modifications on its Model S, with some of the carbon fiber visible once the tailgate is lifted. The Model S wagon, which QWest refers to as a shooting brake, was featured recently in a video from YouTube channel Fully Charged. In it, we learn that with the flat roof on top, rear seat headroom is given a serious boost. There's also a panoramic window installed...
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Ares previews a stylish Tesla Model S convertible
Although consumers have largely fallen out of love with convertibles, there's still something about a drop-top that stirs up feelings. Ares Design, based in Modena, Italy, has something cooking that certainly strikes directly at said feelings. The firm hasn't provided any details but it did release...
Sean Szymkowski -
FIA backs Tesla Model S-based electric GT race series
It may be early days for electric cars but they already have support from motorsport's governing body, the FIA, in formula racing, and now in GT racing too. The FIA this week sanctioned the new GT race series being built around the Tesla Model S. It's been branded the Electric Production Car Series...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ares announces its own Tesla Model S shooting brake conversion
The world will soon have three separate options to choose from for Tesla Model S shooting brake conversions. The latest comes from Ares Design based in Modena, Italy. The firm announced on Thursday that it will produce its own Model S shooting brake, and it also plans to outfit the interior with...
Sean Szymkowski -
This bulletproof Tesla's claim has just one hole in it
Utah-based Armormax is in the business of transforming everyday machines into rolling vaults for clients. They take normal cars and add various levels of armor. The latest build is a Tesla Model S P100D that's been pieced together for a client in the Middle East. Armormax claims it's the fastest...
Jeff Glucker -
Bob Lutz tells collectors to buy Tesla Model S while it's "still available”
Bob Lutz is back again poo-pooing on Tesla. This time the auto industry veteran was speaking to attendees of a collector car auction held Thursday in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he recommended they get hold of a Tesla Model S because it's primed to be a future collectable, and that they should do so...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Buyers looking at a brand new Tesla Model S or Model X will no longer have to choose between rear- or all-wheel drive. Tesla announced in its December newsletter that both vehicles will arrive with standard all-wheel drive, Carscoops first reported on Thursday. That leaves all future Model S and Model X vehicles with a "D" in their model names, which denotes the dual-motor setup to provide all-wheel drive. Tesla first introduced all-wheel drive three years ago. The model hierarchy remains the same for the time being for the Model S and Model X, with 75D, 100D, and P100D variants. The least...
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UK company builds world's first Tesla Model S shooting brake
Feast your eyes on the very first Tesla Model S shooting brake. To clear up the confusion, a Dutch firm announced plans for its own shooting brake, due for a March 2018 reveal. This one is different, however. United Kingdom-based Qwest Norfolk actually beat the Dutch company to the finish line with...
Sean Szymkowski -
UK insurer first to offer discount for self-driving car tech
Tesla drivers in the United Kingdom have all the more reason to engage the car's AutoPilot system when in the appropriate situation. Direct Line, a British auto insurer, will now offer a 5 percent discount on premiums for drivers who use the self-driving technology. The system's use is actually in...
Sean Szymkowski -
Dutch coachbuilder working on the Tesla Model S wagon of your dreams
It's almost strange to think Tesla doesn't produce its own Model S wagon, since the Silicon Valley-based carmaker has a way of doing things differently. Alas, Tesla does not in fact build a wagon—but Dutch firm RemetzCar will. The coachbuilder, based outside of Amsterdam, has begun production...
Sean Szymkowski -
Magna Powertrain adds extra motor to Tesla Model S for better handling
What happens when a third electric motor is added to a Tesla Model S? Not additional power, but increased handling prowess. That's according to Roadshow, which recently had a go in a tri-motor Tesla Model S. But ... surprise ... it isn't actually a Tesla Model S. It's Magna Powertrain's own...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla Model S has no problem fitting inside The Boring Company's tunnels
No surprises here. Elon Musk's proposed solution for Los Angeles, California's horrendous traffic will fit a Tesla Model S inside. The solution comes from Musk's latest venture, The Boring Company, and it's begun to dig underneath the headquarters of another Musk venture, SpaceX. Musk took to...
Sean Szymkowski -
It would take thousands of words to describe what has changed in the automotive industry over the past 97 years, but this video may do some of the work for us. YouTuber Zev Gitalis recently introduced his 97-year-old grandfather to his Tesla Model S and it proved to be a semi comical and eye-opening experience for the elderly gentleman. As you can see in the video, it takes a little bit of explaining to help him understand the car is powered solely by a battery. In fact, he is shocked to learn it can go hundreds of kilometers—the video was shot in Canada—before needing to be...
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Italians drive Tesla Model S 669 miles to set record
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it could be done, and now it has been. After once stating that the Model S was capable of traveling over 1,000 kilometers on a single charge (roughly 621 miles), a Tesla owners group from Italy recently managed to actually accomplish the feat. Actually, they surpassed it...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla Model S tapped as U-2 spy plane chase car
The Lockheed U-2 spy plane is no easy plane to pilot—especially during takeoff and landings. This is because the plane is extremely sensitive to crosswinds and has a tendency to lift even when the spoilers and flaps are set for descent. The latter forces the pilot to stall the plane to get it...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla hits back at IIHS after Model S falls short in latest crash tests
The Tesla Model S has consistently ranked at the top of independent crash tests since its debut earlier this decade, leading to its reputation as one of the safest cars in production. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety only gave the electric sedan an “Acceptable” rating...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
AAA hikes Tesla insurance rates due to higher than average number of claims
Tesla owners carrying policies through AAA aren't going to like this news: rates are going up. AAA determined the Tesla Model S and Model X are both affected by abnormally high claim rates. In turn, AAA could raise rates up to 30 percent. Tesla has disputed the analysis by AAA and said the data is...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla reinstates free Supercharging for existing owners
Good guy Tesla has had a change of heart. Following news the company would begin charging for Supercharger station use, Elektrek reports Tesla will extend free charging to all existing owners. That means one of the greatest perks of owning a Tesla has once again returned. Tesla's original plan was...
Sean Szymkowski -
Remember Tesla's Roadster? That was a pretty neat little machine that paved the way for grander offerings from the electric car company. It was built on the bones of the Lotus Elise. The final version saw 288 horsepower and nearly 300 pound-feet of torque from its electric powertrain. Today, though, we have Teslas like the Model S which have more than double the output and can rocket from 0-60 in under 3.0 seconds. Maybe it's time to update that Roadster? The good folks at Speed Academy have been following just such a build. Starting with a Lotus Evora, the team at OnPoint Dyno and Race...
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Tesla issues recall for 53,000 Model S, Model X over parking brake issue
Tesla has issued a voluntary recall of some 53,000 Model S and Model X vehicles because the parking brake may remain stuck and engaged. This marks the electric vehicle automaker's first recall of 2017. Green Car Reports states the vehicles potentially affected by the sticking parking brake were...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla Model S, Model X 100Ds see price hikes
Customers mulling over the purchase of one of Tesla's performance-oriented 100D and P100D models best act quickly. The automaker has confirmed it will be increasing prices for the Model S and Model X range-toppers. The price shuffling follows Tesla decision to decrease the price for its base Model...
Sean Szymkowski -
Tesla slashes most affordable Model S variant from lineup
So long, Tesla Model S 60, we hardly knew ye. The Silicon Valley automaker has announced its most-affordable Model S variant will be discontinued after less than a year on the market. The rear-drive Model S 60 and the all-wheel-drive 60D will both officially be discontinued by April 16, 2017. The...
Sean Szymkowski -
No, the Tesla Model S P100D doesn't do 0-60 in 2.28 seconds
It's all about math and physics, folks. At least that's the soup that fills the head of Engineering Explained host Jason Fenske, which is why he's so easily able to explain scientific concepts to the average YouTube viewer. Recently, he posted a video going over the numbers produced by Motor Trend...
Jeff Glucker -
How the Tesla Model S hits 60 mph in 2.28 seconds
The 0-60 mph times for the Tesla Model S keep getting lower and lower. The new P100D package really helps put all of the horsepower to the ground efficiently, and makes the electric sedan rocket away from a standstill. Recently, we saw a drag racer in a stock P100D record a time of 2.38 seconds...
Jeff Glucker