As the trailblazing EV automaker, Tesla dominates the imagination of drivers, investors, and forward-thinkers alike. Tesla vehicles don‘t just compete with gas-powered rivals – they redefine the concept of environmentally sustainable transportation without compromise. Backed by meticulous engineering and slate-clean design, Tesla models set new standards for innovation from top to bottom.
Let‘s explore every vehicle Tesla offers now and previews for the near future.
A Brief Tesla History
Tesla Motors incorporated in 2003, but the underpinnings trace back further. Longtime partners Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning sought to commercialize AC Propulsion‘s TZero electric sports car design with funding from Elon Musk. The fledgling startup took its name from pioneering 1890s electrical engineer Nikola Tesla himself.
Musk contributed more than capital – he shared a bold vision to accelerate sustainable transport. As the startup‘s largest investor, Musk held greater influence, eventually replacing Eberhard as CEO in 2007. The first prototype Tesla Roadster debuted shortly after in 2008. Built on a modified Lotus Elise chassis, the Roadster set precedents for desirable high-performance EVs.
Tesla went public in 2010, using IPO capital to develop the luxury Model S sedan. Rave reviews after its 2012 launch proved Tesla could build a practical EV from scratch. Yet Model S sales alone could not sustain operations. As Musk later reflected, Tesla was "single-handedly preventing the electric car industry from failing." Subsequent fundraising rounds and DOE loans financed Tesla‘s breakthrough mass-market car, the groundbreaking Model 3 sedan built sustainably from the ground up.
Today, Tesla ships over a million cars annually from cutting-edge gigafactories on 3 continents while expanding its lineup into higher-volume segments. Let‘s see what the future-focused brand offers drivers now and what‘s just over the horizon.
Currently Available Tesla Models
Four all-electric vehicles make up Tesla’s global fleet today: The design flagship Model S sedan, the mass-market Model 3 sedan, Model X luxury SUV, and compact Model Y crossover. Let’s overview key details for each current production EV.
Tesla Model S
As Tesla’s longest-running nameplate, the Model S pioneered the concept of a practical EV rivaling luxury gas sedans. As the pinnacle of Tesla design and engineering, the Model S continues pushing boundaries. Consider what $108,990 buys in the current Model S Plaid:
- 1,020 horsepower and tri-motor AWD enabling 0-60 mph in 1.99 seconds
- 390 miles EPA range from updated 100 kWh battery pack
- 173 mph top speed
- 17-inch horizontal center touchscreen with next-gen UI
- Available yoke-style steering wheel
With the interior space expected from its sedan layout yet exotic hypercar acceleration stats, the refreshed Model S Plaid flaunts impressive technological muscle. Advancements extend beyond propulsion: automatic doors, tri-zone climate control, HEPA filtration, and clever features like auto-present handles and 30W wireless phone charging look to the future. Sold globally since 2012, the Model S remains Tesla’s technology flagship – a blueprint of constant innovation.
Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 stands for Tesla’s mission to accelerate widespread electric vehicle adoption. As the automaker’s best-selling model worldwide by far, the Model 3 proved EVs can satisfy demanding drivers without intimidating price tags. Available starting at $46,990 in the US, the Model 3 offers up to 358 miles of range, AWD traction, and 0-60 mph as quick as 3.1 seconds depending on configuration. An minimalist interior centers around a 15-inch touchscreen offering access to entertainment, energy use details, and over-the-air software updates.
Tesla’s efforts scaling Model 3 production solved tricky manufacturing challenges; the factory processes underpinning the 3 blueprint Tesla’s roadmap to truly mass market volumes. Easy smartphone-like connectivity combined with superb performance at its price cemented the Model 3‘s appeal. It‘s likely the world‘s most popular premium EV to date – the Model 3 sold over half a million units last year alone, and helped Tesla ascend to become the highest-selling luxury auto brand in the world surpassing legacy titans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Tesla Model X
Where the Model S pioneered the EV sedan formula, the Model X took the true SUV experience off-road. As Tesla’s largest vehicle to date, the Model X challenges perceptions of environmentally sustainable transport. The Model X juggles seating for up to seven adults with exotic acceleration thanks to current Plaid Performance versions dashing to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds! No other SUV comes close to such blistering pace. One of the Model X’s signature features, upward-sweeping Falcon Wing doors allow easier access to rear seats by opening vertically.
The Model X combines 3 rows of flexible seating, up to 333 miles of driving range, trailer hitch options, and copious storage space behind its eye-catching silhouette. Prices now start at $120,990 for the Model X before adding many available upgrades. Versatility meets performance in the Model X – it’s the SUV for drivers unsatisfied with the status quo reliant on fossil fuels.
Tesla Model Y
As crossover SUVs continue conquering sales, the Tesla Model Y fills that gap as the brand’s newest vehicle. Sharing most mechanical components and its interior design with the popular Model 3, the Model Y effectively adds extra cargo volume and optional third-row seating versatility. Available battery packs offer up to 326 miles of EPA range. Pricing kicks off at $65,990 in the US, smoothly sliding the Model Y into Tesla’s entry-level SUV slot below the larger Model X.
With seating for 5 to 7 passengers plus front/rear trunks combining to over 75 cubic feet behind its swooping silhouette, the Model Y unlocks maximum practicality. And underlying SUV capability isn’t sacrificed either. The Model Y’s low center of gravity inherited from the Model 3 allows confident handling with AWD traction plus available tow hitch. Expect to see more Model Ys filling roads worldwide as production scales up at new factories.
Exciting Upcoming Tesla Models
Constant innovation pushes Tesla to defy conventions in and out of the automotive sector. But within passenger vehicles, two announced models stand out for straying from the beaten path: the Cybertruck pickup and next-generation Roadster supercar. Let’s preview these boundary-breaking EVs.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Cybertruck polarizes with an origami-esque stainless steel exterior more radical than any production pickup before. When unveiled in 2019, many considered the Cybertruck a speculative concept future truck. Yet development continues progressing towards production expected in 2023. Closer inspection reveals careful attention to function. The adaptive air suspension can lower for easy access before rising to clear off-road obstacles. Storage bins, mounting points, and a versatile bed cater to worksite utility.
Buttressed by an ultrathick stainless exoskeleton, the Cybertruck promises up to 3,500 pounds of payload capacity and over 14,000 pounds towing ability. Three electric motors unlock AWD, torque vectoring, and 0-60 mph as quick as under 2.9 seconds depending on the trim. The startup Rivian may have beaten Tesla to market with the first widely available EV truck, but the Cybertruck aims higher starting under $40,000. No other pickup promises this blend of workhorse capability, next-gen styling, and range climbing towards 500 miles.
Tesla Roadster
Once a niche startup itself, Tesla’s now aiming towards the pinnacle of performance once again with the next-generation Roadster. Musk promises record-shattering specs from what may become the quickest street-legal production car ever built. Sources quote up to 1,100 horsepower enabling a physics-defying 1.1 second 0-60 mph sprint. Such acceleration requires augmenting already potent EV torque with compressed air thrusters.
Even if thruster tech doesn’t make production, the new Roadster should outrun any gas-powered rival with ease. After all, Musk aims for the base model to still zip to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds thanks to three motors while still carrying 620 miles of driving range from a leading-edge battery back. Further rumors promise the Roadster will hover thanks magnetic levitation add-ons. If transformational claims about performance hold true at series production starting next year, the Roadster will expand notions of what four-wheeled EVs can achieve starting around $200,000.
Teslas Future is Today
Today, Tesla caters to diverse drivers needing sustainable transportation from sedans to sports cars capable of outperforming dino-burners. As the proven leader, Tesla continues building capacity aiming to sell 20M+ sustainable vehicles annually in coming years. From American soil to European and Asian factories, investments in vertical integration and advanced manufacturing unlock improved economies of scale. Facilities such as the Austin Gigafactory opening Model Y production reduce costs while boosting quality and customization.
And Teslas expertise spreads renewable ecosystems beyond personal transport. Acquisitions like SolarCity expand Teslas sustainable mission towards power generation and storage with solar panels plus Powerwall home energy storage. Yet vehicles remain the companys passion. Upgrades and over-the-air software updates ensure existing models stay on the cutting edge while groundbreaking platforms like the Cybertruck push boundaries. Not settled to rest on a lead, Tesla continues executing key long-term objectives like full self-driving to unlock abilities no traditional auto manufacturer can match.
So as the present comes into clearer focus, Tesla finds itself accelerating ambitions that once seemed hazy – leading the drive towards sustainable and accessible transport for millions. The future has arrived, and its electric.
