Tesla-Model-S-Signature-Red

The Tesla Model S has been officially priced, but it’s a bit of a quagmire for those who are not familiar with the company’s lineup of EV sedans. The base price of the Tesla Model S will be $49,900 after the $7,500 federal tax credit, but that’s where the pricing starts to jump around like a flea circus. Tesla will be offering a base Model S and a performance model, in addition to two limited edition Signature Performance models for the first 1,000 buyers. In addition, three different battery sizes will available for the base Model S sedan, depending on how much range and performance the driver wants out of their silent weapon.

Without any further adieu, here’s a Tesla Model S pricing breakdown, before the $7,500 tax credit:

Tesla Model S Sedan

  • $57,400 with standard 40kWh li-ion battery (160-mile range @ 55MPH, 110MPH top speed, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds)
  • $67,400 with 60kWh li-ion battery (230-mile range @ 55MPH, 120MPH top speed, 0-60 in 5.9 seconds)
  • $77,400 with 85kWh li-ion battery (300-mile range @ 55MPH, 125MPH top speed, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds)

NOTE: All Tesla Model S Performance models below have a 130MPH top speed, 300 mile range, and can hit 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.

Tesla Model S Performance

  • $87,400 with 85kWh battery, carbon-fiber accents, and a high-performance drive inverter
  • $92,400 with additional package: Nappa leather, active air suspension, “sport-tuned” traction control and performance wheels and tires

Tesla Model S Signature and Signature Performance

  • $95,400 for Signature with 85-kWh battery, active air suspension and Nappa leather as standard
  • $105,400 for Signature Performance with 85-kWh battery, active air suspension and Nappa leather as standard, in addition to Performance package

Battery Chargers

  • Standard 10kWh onboard battery charger
  • $1,500 for additional onboard charger
  • $1,200 for 20kWh home charging station

If you’re balking at the prices, consider the fact that the Ford Focus Electric has a 23kWh battery with an approximate range of 100 miles while the Nissan Leaf is in the 80 mile-per-charge range. In this case, you really get what you pay for, and that 300 mile range finally makes an electric vehicle a serious competitor against petrol-imbibing rivals.

The Model S will be available in mid 2012, starting with the high dollar 85kWh models, and rolling out the 65 and 40kWh models later in the year.

[Car and Driver]