Tesla, Inc., is an American electric vehicle company based in California, specializing in electric vehicle manufacturing, battery energy storage, and the production of industry-changing vehicles.
The Tesla Model S is an all-electric five-door liftback sedan that was produced by Tesla, Inc., in 2012. As of the latest model produced in 2020, the Model S Long Range Plus has a higher EPA range than any other battery-powered electric car, clocking in at almost 400 miles of range.
Featuring a rear-motor, rear-wheel drive, and a front and rear motor combined to produce an output of up to 825 horsepower, we can easily see why this Tesla Model S has reinvented the rear-engined sports car automotive market, and changed the future of the industry.
The new Tesla S Sports contains a Cheetah Stance launch mode, letting you shave 6/10ths off of the stock time. Even the Tesla S model contains various models that have influenced further creation and innovation within the same brand. The performance abilities, like the Tesla Model S' speed and acceleration in a drag test, along with the power of the rear engine in combination with the electric battery, has made this an influential vehicle in the automotive industry.
Let's dive in and see how Tesla saved the rear-engined sports car with this model...
History
The Model S was first styled and designed by Franz von Holzhausen, an automotive designer that was in charge of creating the Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Semi, and the second-generation Tesla Roadster.
The Model S was officially announced in June of 2008, with a prototype displaying nearly a year later. This model earned the 2013 World Green Car of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and Automobile magazine's 2013 Car of the Year. With such accolades, we can see why this car has been influential in the future production of electric and rear-motor sports cars.
Production
Tesla manufactures the Model S at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, California. For distribution in the European market, Tesla creates their automobiles from the European Distribution Center in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Design
The Model S is produced in differing versions, changing in regards to energy capacity, motor size, and equipment. Classified as a full-size luxury car, it is an S-segment, a European car-classification segment that is defined as sport coupes.
Powertrain
The Tesla Model S Performance had a three-phrase, AC induction 416 horsepower and 443 foot per pound of torque, complete with a rear-mounted electric motor and copper rotor. The base model utilizes a 362 horsepower engine and a 325 foot per pound of torque motor.
The rear axle contains an open differential, with the front and the rear axles having no mechanical linkage. With dual motors, the power distribution is controlled electronically, meaning the required torque for each driving wheel allows for different wheel speeds.
The car can go from 0-60miles per hour in just 2.3 seconds, a result of the power from the rear motor in combination with the electric-powered battery.
Battery
In 2012, the EPA range for the 60 kWh battery was 208 miles, and the 85 kWh battery was 265 miles. Musk, the CEO, stated that if you are driving at around highway speeds at 65 miles per hour, you can expect to go a range of 250 miles.
The battery is guaranteed for eight years or around 125,000 miles for the base model with the lower-powered 60 kWh battery pack. The 85 kWh battery pack is guaranteed for unlimited miles.
The Model S motor, controller, and battery temperatures are all controlled by a liquid cooling and heating circuit. Further, the waste heat from the motor, the heat that is produced by doing all of the mechanical work, heats the battery in cold temperatures. This efficiency ensures that the rear motor and the battery can work together in tandem.