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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTesla's Model S Sedan Destroys Safety Tests ... Literally
In the long history of automotive safety press releases, no carmaker has ever issued a statement quite like the one put out by Tesla Motors (TSLA) on Monday night.
The statement begins by looking at a battery of tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Teslas Model S all-electric luxury sedan. The reader is quickly told that the Model S got a 5-star rating overall and a 5-star rating in all the subcategories. Of all vehicles tested, including every major make and model approved for sale in the United States, the Model S set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants, Tesla said.
Ah, but being possibly the safest commercial car ever built is not good enough for Tesla and its chief executive officer, Elon Musk, who actually penned the press release. No, Tesla must inflict pain on the entire testing process and its pedestrian equipment.
And so, in paragraph No. 8, we learn that testers tried to crush the roof of the Model S. And we learn that the crusher was crushed. Of note, during validation of Model S roof crush protection at an independent commercial facility, the testing machine failed at just above 4 gs, Tesla said. While the exact number is uncertain due to Model S breaking the testing machine, what this means is that at least four additional fully loaded Model S vehicles could be placed on top of an owners car without the roof caving in.
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http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-20/teslas-model-s-sedan-destroys-safety-tests-dot-dot-dot-literally
MADem
(135,425 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)when the excellent Ed Begley, Jr. guested; before zipping off in an experimental vehicle he stated that it was entirely powered by his sense of self-satisfaction.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)that is remotely affordable and yet still have the same or even similar features.
It's one hell of a car and I would love to own one but at the base price of $71,000 - $7,500 (EV incentive) + home charging station it's still just a little out of reach.
I also wonder how you could offer a car at this price point and still call fog lamps an extra price option.
n2doc
(47,953 posts)It is their first real mass produced model. Hopefully the price will come down further, but unless they build them in Mexico and figure out how to use off-the-shelf parts the price will always be high. At least it isn't 100K+ like the roadster.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)This car is still in scale up phase. Costs can come down. You also have to look at total cost of ownership. Not having to buy gas every other week.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)but thanks for the condescension I really appreciate it. Especially with such brilliant MBA level insights like "costs can come down".
Silent3
(15,424 posts)...in general, but still be annoyed at some of the petty ways the economics get expressed, like using overpriced options as a way to pay the bills.