Tesla Losses Soar to $154.3 million in 2010

Tesla Motors has just released a preliminary, unaudited financial report concerning the year than ended on Dec. 31, 2010. The company reported losses of US$51.4 million in Q4 2010 and US$154.3 million for 2010, which was almost triple the US$55.74 million loss for the year ending Dec. 31, 2009.
The EV automaker's revenue, however, rose approximately 5 percent in 2010 to $116.7 million. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 were US$36.3 million, a 16% increase from the US$31.2 million reported in the prior quarter. Tesla added that gross margin improved to 26% for the full year 2010, up from 9% for 2009.
The company 's future plans include the launch of the Model S, which is scheduled to go on sale in the middle of next year. Scroll down to read Tesla CEO Elon Musk's statement.

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Tesla Roadster, 2008

Tesla Roadster, 2008

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Tesla Roadster Specifications

    * Style: 2-seat, open-top, rear-drive roadster
    * Drivetrain: Electric motor with 2-speed electrically-actuated-manual-shift transmission with integral differential
    * Motor: 3-phase, 4-pole electric motor, 248hp peak (185kW), redline 13,000 rpm, regenerative "engine braking"
    * Chassis: Bonded extruded aluminum with 4-wheel wishbone suspension
    * Brakes: 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
    * 0-60 mph acceleration: under 4 seconds
    * Top Speed: 125 mph
    * Range : ~220 miles (based on EPA combined city/highway cycle)
    * Battery Life: Useful battery, 100,000 miles
    * Energy Storage System: Custom microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery pack
    * Full Charge: ~3.5h

Suspension
    * Front: independent; upper and lower wishbone; co-axial coil spring/telescopic damper unit; anti-roll bar
    * Rear: independent; upper and lower wishbone; co-axial coil spring/telescopic damper

Wheels
    * Type: Forged Light alloy
    * front: 5.5J x 16    * rear: 7.5J x 17

Tires
    * Type: Yokohama Neova AD07 LTS
    * front: 175/55 R16
    * rear: 225/45 R17

Tesla Roadster Dimensions (in. / mm)
    * Overall length: 155.4 / 3946
    * Overall width - incl. mirrors: 73.7 / 1873
    * Overall height (at curb weight): 44.4 / 1127
    * Wheelbase: 92.6 / 2352
    * Track - front: 57.6 / 1464
    * Track - rear: 59.0 / 1499
    * Curb weight: ~2690 pounds
    * Leg Room (in./mm): 42.0 / 1067
    * Front Head Room (in./mm): 36.7 / 932
    * Front Shoulder Room (in./mm): 26.0 / 660

Tesla Roadster Standard Interior features
    * Heated sport seats with inflatable lumbar support
    * Three-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
    * Smooth leather seats and trim in black, dark gray, light gray, or beige
    * Blaupunkt stereo sound system with single-disc CD player, iPod interface, and MP3 playback
    * Cruise Control
    * Homelink universal transmitter to operate compatible garage, gate, and home lighting/home security systems
    * Power windows and locks
    * Air conditioning
    * Single retractable cup holder

Tesla Roadster Standard Exterior Features
    * Double-insulated black soft top
    * Proprietary halogen low- and high-beam headlamp assemblies
    * LED tail lights
    * Forged uni-directional seven-spoke wheels in silver finish: 16" front, 17" rear
    * Locking wheel lugs
    * Tire Inflator/sealant
    * Cold weather ESS heater for cold weather charging to -20 degrees Celsius
    * Home-based charging system with integral safety features for 3.5 hour full re-charge

Tesla Roadster Standard Safety and Security Features
    * Four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)
    * Traction control
    * Tire pressure monitoring system
    * Front and rear crumple zones
    * Driver and passenger front airbags
    * Rigid occupant safety cell
    * Side impact door beams
    * Seatbelt pretensioners
    * Integrated headrests
    * Vehicle theft-deterrent and engine immobilizer system
    * PIN for security in operating the vehicle
    * Valet mode to restrict speed, acceleration, and distance

Tesla Roadster Factory-installed options and accessories
    * Premium leather seats available in nine colors with embroidered Tesla Motors logo
    * Microfiber, non-leather seats in black
    * Bluetooth cellular phone integration
    * Satellite radio with 170 channels of digital sound
    * Seven-speaker premium sound system tuned for Tesla Roadster cockpit
    * Touch-screen navigation system with voice guidance
    * Matching body-colored carbon fiber hardtop with full headliner
    * Metallic and premium paint
    * Tesla Motors custom floor mats
    * Mobile charging system

2009 Tesla Roadster Wallpapers

2009 Tesla Roadster Wallpaper

2009 Tesla Roadster Picture

2009 Tesla Roadster Photo

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Wallpapers

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Wallpaper

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Picture

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Photo

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Test Drive

2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer Front View

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Wallpapers

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Wallpaper

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Picture

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Photo

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Test Drive

2010 Tesla Roadster UK-Version Interior

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Wallpapers

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Wallpaper

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Picture

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Photo

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Image

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Test Drive

Tesla Roadster 2.5 Interior

Tesla Roadster UK-Version Wallpapers

Tesla Roadster UK-Version Picture

Tesla Roadster UK-Version Photo

Tesla Roadster UK-Version Test Drive

tesla cars interior concept

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2010 Tesla

2010 Tesla

2010 Tesla Roadster

2010 Tesla S5

2010 Tesla Interior

2010 Tesla

2010 Tesla

2010 Tesla Roadster

2010 Tesla S5

2010 Tesla Interior

Tesla Roadster for Essen by BRABUS

If you're going to have a desirable performance car, you're going to have customized and personalized versions of it. That's the way of the industry. Even the electric Tesla sports roadster is no exception. The first modified Tesla (and, arguably, the first "official" modified electric car) has just been released by BRABUS and will debut at the Essen Motor Show.

The first vehicle in what BRABUS says will be an ongoing cooperation with the company, the BRABUS Tesla features a variety of appearance upgrades and personalization features. Tire and wheel options are naturally first on the list, with offset 18- and 19-inch BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Nero rubber. The BRABUS show car also features a carbon-fiber front lip, rear diffuser and rear spoiler, as well as a striking matte white paint job.

Not so common is what BRABUS calls the "space sound generator." Taking advantage of the Tesla's near-silent electric operation, BRABUS offers a variety of on-board sound generators that can make the roadster emit V8 engine or race engine sounds, as well as "futuristic soundscapes" dubbed "Beam" and "Warp." The sound generators vary in volume based on the electric motor's output.

A leather and Alcantara interior with other BRABUS customization touches completes the show car. BRABUS is showing the modified Tesla to highlight the introduction of its Zero Emission division, which will offer upgrades and possibly limited-edition Tesla models in the future.

Tesla Roadster Receives U.S. FMVSS Certification

The green-minded enthusiasts who have put down deposits on Teslas have one less concern weighing on their minds today. In the wake of recent organizational upheaval, Tesla Motors released some good news for those eagerly awaiting the electric sports car's pending introduction. After a final round of crash tests, the Tesla now meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). With that hurdle cleared, the car officially meets DOT and EPA requirements to be sold in the United States. Production is scheduled to begin March 17 of this year.

According to Malcolm Powell, Vice President of Vehicle Integration with Tesla, crash testing was only part of the gauntlet of tests the Tesla had to pass: windshield defrosting, mirror coverage and EPA Clean Air Act requirements were also necessary. Specific details of how well the carbon-fiber-bodied Tesla crashed haven't been released, but the company announced that it did pass and that the car has been approved for U.S. sale, thereby keeping the company on track to begin delivering cars as scheduled. Currently, the only mechanical change to the Tesla is a one-speed transmission that will be used on early production models. Acceleration is limited, from the blistering 4.0 second 0-60mph time promised to a more sedate 5.7 seconds, but the single-speed gearbox is reportedly more durable than the two-speed transmission that was originally planned. Tesla is in the process of developing the faster transmission for production but plans to begin limited production on schedule with the interim transmission.

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Press Release

First production 2008 Tesla Roadster Imported – Series Production Begins in March

0. Tesla Motors has received all regulatory approvals to import the first production Tesla Roadster (“P1”) for sale. This includes all necessary EPA and DOT approvals, including completion of all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS.)
0. P1 will arrive at Tesla Motors headquarters next week for delivery to customer Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors.
0. Series production of the Tesla Roadster is scheduled to begin March 17th, 2008.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
0. As communicated previously, early production units will be equipped with an interim transmission that meets durability requirements but limits acceleration to 5.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.
0. Separately, Tesla Motors engineers have designed a permanent solution for mass production that supports the original specification of 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.
0. The planned solution has some very positive benefits for our customers. Instead of a complex 2-speed transmission design, Tesla will achieve the original performance goals with a simpler one-speed unit mated to a higher rated Power Electronics Module (PEM.) The existing motor will be modified to have advanced cooling capabilities to handle the additional power. The permanent transmission unit will be engineered to handle the higher torque of the powertrain.
0. The planned solution reduces program risk, provides better efficiency, lower weight, equal or better range, better thermal performance and quicker quarter mile acceleration due to the elimination of the need to shift gears.
0. The planned solution incorporates the latest developments of our powertrain team which has been continually improving on Tesla’s core technology.
0. Early production will proceed at a limited rate and then ramp up to full production when the permanent powertrain solution is production ready later this year.
The upgrade from the interim solution to the higher power, permanent solution will be provided to our customers free of charge when available later this year.