Tesla Motors' CEO Elon Musk is never one to shy away from the limelight. Musk has just announced a high-performance variant of the new Model S all-electric sedan, and the promising new electric car has some serious kick. Try 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. For comparison purposes, a 2011 Porsche 911 Targa 4 takes 4.9 seconds to make the same sprint.
The standard Model S will accelerate from 0 to 60 in around 5.5 seconds. No word on what the Sport model's more-powerful motor will do to the car's range, but the top-of-the-line standard Model S still promises 300 miles on a single charge. Tesla will also build 160-mile and 230-mile variants at a cheaper cost.
2013 Tesla Model S Pricing (*after $7,500 Federal EV tax credit)
160-mile range: $49,990
230-mile range: Approx. $60,000
300-mile range: Approx. $70,000
Musk is no stranger to bold claims. The former PayPal chief recently engaged Pulizer Prize-winning auto journo Dan Neil in a bet that the Model S will meet its range, price, release date and specification targets. If the Model S comes out late or fails to meet its targets, Musk will donate $1 million to Doctors Without Borders.
Everyone involved, including Dan Neil, is hoping the 7-passenger electric sedan is all it's cracked up to be.
Content courtesy of CarsDirect
