First Tesla Model S to Be the Most Expensive Too

The second Tesla Motors vehicle that will reach the market, the so-called Model S, will enter production in early 2012 and, according to company officials, the first units to roll off the assembly lines will be the most expensive in the range. A total of 5,000 units will be produced since the beginning of next year, with the first 1,000 vehicles to see daylight to be the most expensive version.

The version in question is the "Signature Series" that has a base price of about $77,400 before a federal tax credit, according to a report by Bloomberg citing Tesla Motors.

Although technical details aren't yet available, the car will “feature unique badging and an extensive complement of options,” George Blankenship, Tesla’s vice president of sales, explained in a statement.

Tesla Model S will have a range of up to 300 miles and will be priced in between $49,000 and $60,000, depending on the trim level. It will come with a QuickCharge mode that will take up to 45 minutes to restore the battery, and will be compatible with 110V, 220V and 440V outlets. Furthermore, it will boast a lot of innovative technologies, such as 17-inch infotainment touchscreen and 3G wireless connectivity.

"Tesla Model S doesn't compromise on performance, efficiency or utility - it's truly the only car you need," said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "Tesla is relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicle technology, and this is just the first of many mainstream cars we're developing.”