Tesla Cars Canada
In 2003, Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright, Elon Musk and JB Straubel got the green light from AC Propulsion to introduce the T-Zero although it was just a prototype at the time. This marked the birth of Tesla Motors.
Now CEO of the brand, Elon Musk played a major role right from the start and conceived the ''Roadster'' project down to the smallest detail.
He has also been involved in Tesla's efforts to finance operations, investing a lot of his personal funds and drawing such big names as Sergey Brin and Larry Page (co-founders of Google), Jeff Skoll (former president of eBay) and even Daimler.
The Roadster, which made its world debut in July 2006, offers a range of 394 kilometres, sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 201 km/h.
After appearing on the cover of Time in December of that year, the car won the magazine's ''Best Invention of the Year – Transportation'' award. Production began on March 17, 2008.
Tesla later unveiled a Sport version delivering slightly better performance numbers, including 0-60 mph times of 3.7 seconds.
In June 2009, the U.S. government loaned $8 billion to the automaker to continue the development of electric cars and powertrains, and complete a new project called Model S.
Set to replace the Roadster, this sedan will serve as an alternative to the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class once it hits the market, somewhere in 2012.
Available with three range options (260 km, 370 km or 480 km), it will exploit a powerful motor that takes five adults to 60 mph from a standstill in only 5.5 seconds.
Lastly, the Tesla Model X crossover premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
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Latest Reviews
82%
Like most car enthusiasts I know, I've looked upon the last few years with a growing sense of unease about the future of our industry, tempered with acceptance of the inevitable. As someone who loves the exhilaration of guiding a fast car on a twisty road, yet is sick at heart at the number of rapidly vanishing species, I know it's time we ended our voracious consumption of fossil fuels and the devastating consequences of their emissions.
83%
A literal blast from the present
My first encounter with Tesla came about four years ago when I landed on a video of a Roadster racing a Ferrari on YouTube. If you recall the video (I'm unable to find it at this very moment), the EV seriously spanks the prancing horse from Maranello in a drag race. At the time, EVs were very novel and most were no more than concepts or crude prototypes.
Latest News
Tesla Model S on sale earlier than expected
Tesla Motors will begin deliveries of the Model S in June, a bit earlier than what the electric car manufacturer had initially projected. The new sedan is expected to account for 90% of its revenue this year.
2013 Tesla Model S Preview (video)
When people think of the electric car, they still see that small, comical, short-ranged automobile that we all fear we'll be stuck with when the world's runs out of petrol. But for years' already, California-based Tesla has been offering the Roadster - a cool-looking two-seater that goes the distance.
VIDEO: Tesla Model S at Detroit Auto Show
One of the first 100% electric luxury cars on the market, the Tesla Model S blends environmentally-friendly driving with a high level of quality and technology.
