Tesla Model S 70D introduced at starting price of $75k

Tesla Motors has made itself quite famous in car engineering. Talking about its S line, the site said that "Tesla's advanced electric powertrain delivers exhilarating performance. Unlike a gasoline internal combustion engine with hundreds of moving parts, Tesla electric motors have only one moving piece: the rotor. As a result, Model S acceleration is instantaneous, silent and smooth." Now Tesla has launched the new base Model S 70D with a price tag starting at $75,000, and is taking orders with deliveries starting next month. It is "entry-level" but the price suggests it is for consumers able to dabble in luxury-market cars. Nonetheless, in a story about the launch by Lee Hutchinson, senior reviews editor, Ars Technica, a spokesperson from Tesla was quoted:" When you factor in incentives and gasoline savings, Model S 70D becomes competitive with $55,000 cars like the Mercedes E class and BMW 5 series. The small cost increase in our base price adds huge value increase."

Tesla's new Model S 70D will start at $75,000 but cost a lot less after a federal tax break. Buyers are eligible for a federal tax credit; Inhabitat said "Musk suggests that the $7,500 federal tax credit, with additional credits available in certain states, actually makes this new Tesla more affordable than ever."

An announcement from the Tesla team similarly said that "when one factors in the cost advantages over an internal combustion engine vehicle, including fuel savings and incentives, the actual cost of owning Model S 70D comes to about $55k over five years (the average length of new car ownership)."

This is the entry-level Model S in the lineup. The Model S 70D has all-wheel drive. "Today, we are introducing the Model S 70D, an all-wheel drive electric car with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds and a 240 mile range at 65 mph," the Tesla Motors team announced Wednesday. That means the driving range between charges will be 240 miles. It also means the all-wheel drive will be standard on the Model S 70D.

The car comes equipped with a 70kWh battery (up from 60kWh) and dual motors. The 70D gets its name from the battery pack and the D from its dual motors. The Tesla site tells visitors that Model S acceleration is instantaneous, silent, smooth. The car has a 0-60 acceleration time of 5.2 seconds. The car has a top speed of 140 miles per hour.

Features include Autopilot hardware, navigation, and blind spot detection. "As with every Model S," the announcement said, "the 70D will receive free over-the-air updates that add functionality and improve the driving experience." Tesla Motors' online support section said Model S regularly receives over-the-air software updates that add new features and functionality. "When an update is available, you'll be notified on the center display with an option to install immediately, or schedule the installation for a later time. The average software update takes 45 minutes to complete." Connecting a Model S to the home's Wi-Fi network enables the fastest possible download time.

Tesla added three new colors: Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black and Warm Silver.

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