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Posts Tagged “

Tesla

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down on the street bonus edition

Tesla Spotted In Palo Alto, Price Of Electrons Climbs


A few months before I started writing for El Jalop, one of the few Mercedes-Benz F-Cell fuel cell cars parked on my block for while, and I'm still kicking myself for not photographing it. The anonymous tipster who sent in the shots of a Tesla Roadster he found parked in Palo Alto, on the other hand, had his camera primed and ready when the moment of truth arrived. Good work, anonymous tipster!

7:30 AM on Mon May 5 2008
By Murilee Martin
1,705 views, 31 comments

Latest by mr.chöppèrs: @DeadFlorist: "As long as gas remains over $4 a gallon, manufacturers will have lots of incentive to develop alternative fuel technology." Mmmmm... mayyybe. European fuel is consistently twice as high, so the US manufacturers have a comparative disadvantage. I believe that more »

alternative energy

PopMech Analyzes The Tesla Lawsuit Shenanigans

This week we heard about a couple of lawsuits mythical electric sports car almost-manufacturer Tesla has managed to get tied up in. The first one saw Magna suing Tesla for breach of contract over its transmission design, the other was Tesla going medieval on Fisker for allegedly stealing designs associated with the Tesla Whitestar Hybrid for its Fisker Karma Hybrid. Well Popular Mechanics has gone out and consulted a lawyer-type about the guts of these lawsuits and what the likely outcomes of the twin tussles might be. We just want the slap fights to be over. [Popular Mechanics]

7:00 PM on Fri Apr 18 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,627 views, 26 comments

Latest by dwp: @allenparkpete: I can't take credit for the line, it was used in an Autoweek long-term test of a few gen-ago Chrysler minivan which had something like 5 recalls or owner notifications for not insignificant items. it seems to be agreed more »

racing

Calling All Green Track Cars

By Rob Einaudi More »
alternative energy

Another Twist: Tesla Sued By Magna Powertrain

The drama surrounding Tesla continues to unfold as recently discovered court documents show that the debatably legitimate electric automaker is being sued by Magna Powertrain. The lawsuit dates back to February 22 and states that Tesla failed to pay Magna for design of the two-speed transmission used in the Tesla Roadster. The story does have bit of he-said, she-said, unfortunately. More »

1:40 PM on Wed Apr 16 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,454 views, 39 comments

news

Tesla Sues Fisker Designers In World's Most Expensive Girl Fight

Tesla Motors, the manufacturer of the Tesla Roadster, has filed suit against Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler (yes that Fisker) claiming the duo stole confidential design information and trade secrets while working for Tesla. We're not trying to pick sides around these parts, but the Tesla claims make some sense. More »

11:00 AM on Tue Apr 15 2008
By Travis Hudson
2,315 views, 25 comments

new cars

Stop The Presses, The Tesla Factory Is Cranking

Well I'll be damned—not only is it Maximum El Camino Day and St. Patrick's Day, but today will forever be known as the birthday of the Tesla. Ze'ev Drori, the new president and CEO of Tesla, has gotten his blog on and announced that today production has begun of the Tesla electric. More »

4:15 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,769 views, 26 comments

new cars

Lightning GT Strikes The UK In CGI Glory

The Lightning Car Company has stunned us with their release of the UK's first electric sportscar, the Lightning GT. Top speed is promised to be over 130 MPH, which isn't all that impressive, but Lightning is claiming the electric powertrain will deliver 700+ HP from its wheel-mounted electric motors charged by your home electric plugs. Acceleration from 0-60 is estimated to be about 4.0 seconds. That's enough to give any Aston Martin a run for its money. Though there's no word on price, you can leave Lightning a $30,000 deposit if you're interested. It all sounds fantastic, but frankly we'd like to see one that isn't a CG rendering before we plunk down our wad of cash.

More »

5:15 PM on Thu Mar 6 2008
By marnold
1,140 views, 29 comments

Latest by SundaySunday: I wonder if you could program the sound generator to sound like those Jetson spaceship/cars? I think that those should be standard on all electrics. more »

novelties

Use a Tesla Coil To Defend Your Hyundai Getz

If you really like your car, and especially if you drive the enviable Hyundai Getz, pay close attention, cause this may prevent the heartache of auto theft. Instead of going with the tried and true (and completely ignored) car alarm, why not go with the latest and greatest in car defense? For such automotive treasures, we recommend the spinning Telsa coil of doom. Thieves will know you mean business as an electric arc traces a circle of death around your noble steed. Okay, so maybe it's not so intimidating when you watch the video below, but that might just be because of the Ninja playing the part of a car thief.

More »

4:15 PM on Fri Feb 22 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
3,328 views, 23 comments

Latest by Josh: lol dats f'n funny more »

alternative energy

Tesla Seeking Hot $250 Million Cash Injection For Whitestar Sedan

The boys (and gal) over at our sister site obsessed with Silicon Valley let us know earlier Tesla's looking for a hot cash injection via IPO to help the purportedly struggling Whitestar sedan. According to Valleywag: More »

3:00 PM on Mon Feb 18 2008
By Ray Wert
1,214 views, 22 comments

alternative energy

Tesla, Party Of Five

The first Tesla Roadster was delivered to the company chairman Elon Musk on Friday and what else was there to do but take it on a joy ride, with four other Teslas, and prove that the transmissions won't fall out on the ground and be dragged behind the celebrated 'lectric sports car like so many sad cans in the wake of a ill-conceived marriage convoy. Roadster Number One is reportedly the first production model, which may or may not be driven anymore by Musk, in the aftermath of this little spin. The other four? Hangers-on and yes-men looking to ride the coattails of Tesla the First through the mean streets of Berkeley this past weekend, proving their ruggedness. Enough with the PR (even though Tesla just fired its PR agency)! Can you guys just start delivering cars already, please? [Wired]

5:45 PM on Tue Feb 5 2008
By Travis Hudson
5,135 views, 70 comments

Latest by Mark Miller: The drivers were going slow there because it is the end of a street. (They probably should have each come to a full stop!) I guessed this must be near where they are making the things. Sho'nuff, looked up the more »

super bowl ad watch

Iron Man Super Bowl Commercial Shows Off Stark's Hot Garage

UPDATE: The official Iron Man Super Bowl commercial! Apparently it's not just automakers like Hyundai and Chrysler with money to burn this Super Bowl Ad Watch weekend. Nope, it's also the movie industry — it looks like Iron Man will be getting some love in a commercial airing this Sunday during the big game. Apparently, judging by this screen capture of the ad in question, we'll get some shots of Tony Stark spending some time testing his suit in a garage filled with all sorts of hot automobiles. We already knew about the Audi R8, but apparently Stark's also got himself a Cobra, a Saleen S7 and lookie-here, a Tesla roadster. Nice job, Stark — now we know what the "Whitestar" project really was all about, don't we? That's right — a hybrid powertrain for the Iron Man booster rockets. We knew it. Anyway, we'll have the official commercial up here online just as soon as it airs this weekend to add to the original Iron Man commercial — just follow along at our Super Bowl Ad Watch tag and feel free to hit the jump to make the shot above bigger than life.

7:45 PM on Fri Feb 1 2008
By Ray Wert
14,536 views, 36 comments

Latest by elitza: @Klappstuhl: I'd say that's a non-issue.... more »

industry news

Tesla Roadster To Get Federal Air Bag Exemption, Drive Slowly

As part of the ongoing Tesla Roadster safety certification, the NHSTA is giving the company an important air bag exemption. The waiver was given because the company was losing money and would "have to cancel its pending development of an electric-powered sedan, and would ultimately have to terminate its operations." Of course, the government would like to encourage the development of alternative fuel/electric vehicles and looking the other way on this is something they've deemed reasonable.

More »

10:15 AM on Tue Jan 29 2008
By Matt Hardigree
986 views, 23 comments

Latest by ranwhenparked: @A strolling player: If I understand the FMVSS correctly (unlikely), dual airbags became mandatory with the 1996 model year, while a driver's side airbag has been required since 1991. more »

industry news

Tesla Roadster Passes Crash Tests, Certified for Production

The Tesla Roadster has passed its FMVSS crash tests and is now certified for production. This is one of those items that should please both lovers and haters of the forthcoming electric sports car. Those that hate it can revel in the crash porn in the gallery below. Those that love it can get excited about the fact that it's one significant step closer to production. The rest of us can act nonplussed. Basically an Elise with batteries, the Roadster benefits from that car's massive bonded aluminum chassis, so this certification shouldn't come as a surprise. The Roadster also passed all the less-exciting headlight position, rear-view, windscreen defrosting tests with flying colors and is expected to enter production, on time, in March. [Tesla Motors]



5:45 PM on Fri Jan 25 2008
By Wes Siler
1,886 views, 59 comments

Latest by toyotaboy: that's good news, however the batteries is the real issue (and not necessarily in a crash). Lithium-ion batteries are tricky and picky to charge (can't let them get below a certain voltage), I'm still interested to see how they more »

industry news

Tesla Fixes Transmission Woes, Sets Production Date, Claims They're Not Dead Yet

Tesla is doing it's best to counter rumors of their impending failure and bad press from their former CEO. The company claims the first production Tesla will be delivered to HQ next week and work of the first run of Teslas will begin in mid March. More importantly, the company claims a solution to their transmission problems have been found. More »

10:00 AM on Thu Jan 24 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,301 views, 41 comments

industry news

Tesla Founder Would Drive a Chevy Volt


We've heard numbers, seen the commercial, heard about production and seen the live pictures, but the idea of the Volt being the real deal remains questionable to a lot of industry observers. Definitely not Martin Eberhard, however. Tesla's founder and former bossman is a believer. More »

4:45 PM on Mon Jan 21 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,658 views, 15 comments

industry news

Tesla WhiteStar RIP?

We pointed out earlier today that Tesla skepticism in the auto industry is running high, but now a regular Jalopnik commenter with deep Metro Detroit engineering ties is telling us that the company is laying off contractors and carving "WhiteStar" on a gravestone. Things also look grim for their Rochester Hills Technical Center. More details as we dig them up.

4:10 PM on Thu Jan 17 2008
By Matthew DeBord
2,238 views, 25 comments

industry news

Tesla's Elon Musk Pledges to "Eat His Hat"

As skepticism about Tesla's sedan project builds, new Tesla top dog Elon Musk has resorted to playing defense with crotchety idioms. According to the Jan/Feb issue of the Stanford alumni magazine: More »

11:30 AM on Thu Jan 17 2008
By Matthew DeBord
1,965 views, 14 comments

detroit auto show

Automotive X Prize Showcase Coming To Detroit Auto Show

We previously mentioned that the good folks at the X PRIZE foundation would be bringing X PRIZE entrants to Detroit, and now we've got a full list of all the cars that will be vying for the $10 million prize. For those not in the know, the X-PRIZE will be awarded to the company that can build and market a 100 MPG equivalent vehicle that meets market needs. Competitors include Aptera, Tesla, ZAP and others. We'll be tracking down these mileage seekers next week. Full press release and list below the jump.
More »

Feature

11:15 AM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,418 views, 2 comments

Latest by googeloo: the x prize folks have not even been succesful in 3 years to have a sponsor for their so called 10M prize. the money is not there...it is vapor. it is not funded like the ansari or arcon xprize but more »