Tesla Model S Gets Official Price of $57,400

While all vehicles are powered by the same electric motor, the battery capacity will vary depending on what you’re willing to pay. The standard 40-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery allows the Model S to go 160 miles when traveling at average speeds of 55 mph. There are also 60-kWh and 85-kWh batteries with ranges of 230 and 300 miles, respectively. Each increase in battery size increases the price by $10,000 — so $67,400 and $77,400, respectively.

Each bump in battery capacity also leads to a slight increase in performance. For instance, the 40-kWh battery accelerates the Model S from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the 85-kWh battery shaves the time to 5.6 seconds.

Each battery also gets a slightly longer battery warranty. The 40-kWh battery has an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty; the 60 kWh gets an eight-year, 125,000-mile warranty; and the 85-kWh battery has an eight-year warranty with unlimited miles.

All Model S trims come with standard features that include a 17-inch touch-screen, 200-watt seven-speaker stereo, USB ports, eight-way power driver’s seat and a cloth and leatherette interior.  Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are also standard. Available options include a navigation system, panoramic sunroof, Dolby Pro Logic stereo, active air suspension and rear-facing jump seats (making seating for seven).

A Model S Performance trim is also available, with the 85-kWh battery only. A high-performance drive inverter, active sport-tuned suspension, high-performance tires and Nappa leather come standard on the Performance trim. Tesla says the Performance model will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. 

The first 1,000 Model S vehicles will come in a special Signature series. Those vehicles will have the 300-mile-range battery, an active air suspension and Nappa leather. A range-topping Signature Performance trim will have an eye-watering price tag of $105,400.

If you plan on being first in line to buy the Model S, be prepared to pay a hefty premium since the Signature trims will be the first to go on sale next summer. The 60-kWh battery will come three months afterward, with the base 40 kWh landing before the end of 2012. Tesla plans to build 5,000 models in 2012.

You can reserve a Model S now for $5,000 or $40,000 for the Signature trims. The reservation payment is fully refundable if you change your mind.

Continue to Tesla’s website for more trim details.