Base Versus Loaded: 2013 Tesla Model S

Reviews I By Brandon Turkus I May 16, 2013
Believe it or not, doing these Base Versus Loaded pieces can be a pain in the neck. Take our last BvL, with the Porsche 911 GT3, a car that has an absurdly long, convoluted options list. Finding the most expensive combination of options is no easy task (not that we’re complaining about sitting around playing with car configurators).
 
That was not a problem on the Tesla Model S, the electric car that seemingly can do no wrong. The options list is wonderfully straightforward, yet it includes everything we could possibly want that doesn’t already come standard.
 
The Model S is also one of those rare cases where the Winding Road model is remarkably simple to configure. Take a fully loaded Model S Performance, which retails for $111,670 after a $7500 Federal tax credit, and swap out the done-to-death Multi-Coat pearlescent paint (we prefer a simple black, which also saves $1500). Next, select one of the beautiful, no-cost wood trims and the no-cost tan leather. We could also get rid of the Paint Armor and parcel shelf, for an extra $1200 in savings. Total price for the Winding Road Model S would be $108,970 after the Federal tax credit.
 
Base
 
Price: $71,070 (Tesla Model S) + $0 (Destination) + $0 (Options) – $7500 (Federal Tax Credit) = $63,570
 
Loaded
 
Price: $96,070 (Tesla Model S Performance) + $0 (Destination) + $23,100 (Options) – $7500 (Federal Tax Credit) = $111,670
 
What $48,100 Buys
 
Model S Performance Package: $25,000
            -Upgraded drivetrain, interior, and suspension
Pearl White Paint: $1500
All Glass Panoramic Roof: $1500
21-inch Grey Performance Wheels: $3500
Performance Plus Package: $6500
            -Upgraded dampers
            -Upgraded bushings
            -Upgraded stabilizer bars
            -Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
            -Wider rear tires
Tech Package: $3750
            -GPS Navigation system with onboard maps and free map updates for seven years
            -Automatic keyless entry
            -High-definition back-up camera
            -Xenon headlights
            -Electrochromatic side mirrors
            -LED cornering lights
            -Ground lighting under door handles
            -Power rear liftgate
            -GPS-enabled Homelink system
            -Memory seats
Sound Studio Package: $950
            -XM Satellite Radio
            -580-watt, 12-speaker Dolby ProLogic 7.1 system
            -HD space for over 3000 songs
Rear Facing Seats: $1500
Parcel Shelf: $250
Paint Armor: $950
Twin Chargers: $1500
High-Power Wall Connector: $1200
 
Standard Features
 
Body
 
Lightweight aluminum body reinforced with high strength, boron steel elements
UV and infrared blocking safety glass windshield
Rain sensing, adjustable speed windshield wipers
Frameless, tempered safety glass front windows
Solar absorbing, laminated safety glass rear window with defroster
Flush mounted door handles
Manual folding side mirrors
19" aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires (Goodyear Eagle RS-A2 245/45R19). Note: optional 21" wheels come with Continental Extreme Contact DW 245/35R21 high-performance tires
Aluminum roof
Halogen headlights with automatic on/off and LED daytime running lights
Backlit side turn signals, front side marker lights and rear reflex lights
LED rear taillights and high-mounted LED stop lamp
 
Powertrain
Model S is a rear wheel drive electric vehicle. The liquid-cooled powertrain includes the battery, motor, drive inverter, and gear box.
60 kWh microprocessor controlled, lithium-ion battery
Three phase, four pole AC induction motor with copper rotor
Drive inverter with variable frequency drive and regenerative braking system
Single speed fixed gear with 9.73:1 reduction ratio
 
Suspension, Steering, and Brakes
Double wishbone, virtual steer axis coil spring front suspension and independent multi-link coil spring rear suspension
Variable ratio, speed sensitive, rack and pinion electronic power steering
Electronic Stability Control
Traction Control
Anti-Lock disc brakes (ABS) with ventilated rotors and electronically actuated parking brake; front: 355 mm x 32 mm; rear: 365 mm x 28 mm
 
Charging
10 kW capable on-board charger with the following input compatibility: 85-265 V, 45-65 Hz, 1-40 A (Optional 20 kW capable Twin Chargers increases input compatibility to 80 A)
Peak charger efficiency of 92%
10 kW capable Universal Mobile Connector with 110 V, 240 V, and J1772 adapters
 
Interior
Twelve way, power adjustable, heated front seats
Hand wrapped microfiber and synthetic leather interior surfaces in black
Piano black décor accents
Center armrest with two cup holders
Open center console storage area
Metal interior door handles
60/40 split fold-down second row seats
200 watt, seven speaker stereo system with AM/FM/HD radio. Supports MP3, AAC, and MP4 music formats. System includes four speakers, two tweeters and one center channel speaker. Flash memory storage for up to 500 songs.
 
Instrumentation
17" capacitive touchscreen with media, communication, cabin, and vehicle controls
Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling and streaming music
Three spoke, multi-function steering wheel with tactile controls
Tire pressure monitoring system
 
Warranty
4 year or 50,000 mile, whichever comes first, new vehicle limited warranty
60 kWh battery has a 8 year or 125,000 mile, whichever comes first, warranty
 
Convenience
Keyless entry
Driver seat detection sensor for start/stop functionality
Cruise Control
Standard definition backup camera
Manual rear liftgate
Power tilt and telescopic steering column
Power windows featuring one-touch up and down with resistance reversing to protect against pinched fingers
Micro-filter ventilation system with replaceable filters
Front LED map lights and rear LED reading lights
Front sun visors
Fully trimmed front trunk and rear cargo area with keyless open
12 V power outlet
Automatic climate control with dual zone temperature settings, air distribution controls and recirculation
Glove compartment
Wi-Fi ready
Dual front USB ports for media and power
 
Safety
Eight airbags: head, knee and pelvis airbags in the front plus two side curtain airbags
Driver and front passenger seat sensors
Driver seat position sensor
Three point driver and front passenger safety belts with retractor pretensioners and secondary lap anchor pretensioners and load limiters
Three point second row safety belts for all three seats
Acoustic front row safety belt warning
Rollover crash sensor
Crash sensor for high voltage disconnect
Three second row LATCH attachments for child seat installations (accommodates three child seats simultaneously: two with LATCH and one with top tether and belt)
Rear door child safety locks
Interior, manual release mechanism for all doors, front trunk, and rear cargo area
Anti-theft alarm and immobilizer system
Horn. Beep. Beep.
 
 
 

The Guide to Road Racing: Winding Road Magazine's ultimate guide to getting your start in racing.

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