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LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Toyota, Electric

Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota RAV4 EV – Click above for high-res image gallery

Proudly “Powered by Tesla,” the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley’s electric cars. As we’ve known, Tesla’s role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain – including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software – for Toyota’s popular CUV.

The RAV4 EV has a long history, as long-time plug-in vehicle fans are well aware. The first-gen version arrived in 1997 and was available for six years. Toyota said today that it sold or leased 1,484 units during that time – and that nearly 750 of them are still in operation – but could never make them a mainstream hit like the Prius. Making these alternative-power vehicles isn’t that difficult, said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales’ president and chief operating officer, the hard part is bringing them to mainstream customers.

This is the goal of the RAV4 EV, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012. The initial batch of test vehicles, the so-called Phase Zero machines, are already achieving 100 miles of range, but Toyota engineers are working hard to make sure that the Phase One vehicles (i.e., the next batch) will be able to reach that number no matter what the climate or outside condition is – or, in the words of the press release, “in a wide range of climates and conditions.” The engineering team is also focused on drivability and making the electric CUV feel, “as close to a conventional RAV4 as possible.” We’ll have a more complete post about the RAV4 EV later, but for now you can find plenty more information on Toyota’s dedicated RAV4 EV website and check it out from every angle in the gallery below.

Continue reading LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Boy receives shock and awe from Tesla Roadster

Filed under: Videos, Tesla

Click above to watch video after the jump

Do you remember the exact moment when you discovered that you loved the automobile? We’re not so sure we can pin down that exact moment ourselves, but this video shows the precise second that one young man earns his wheels.

A camera fixed on the face of a youngster taking his first ride in a Tesla Roadster 2.5 shows that internal combustion isn’t required for the automobile to dig its claws into our hearts. The post-jump video starts out slowly enough as the young fella chats it up with who appears to be a family friend or relative, but about 22 seconds in said driver slams the Tesla’s go pedal, producing one of the most genuine expressions of fear and excitement we’ve ever seen.

We knew the Tesla Roadster packed a serious battery-powered punch, but we didn’t know it could make you call out for your mommy. Hit the jump to watch this boy receive the call and reminisce about your own induction to the class of auto fandom in the comments. Hat tip to Robinson!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Boy receives shock and awe from Tesla Roadster

Video: Boy receives shock and awe from Tesla Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jay Leno’s Garage revisits the Tesla Roadster

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Celebrities, Tesla, Electric

Tesla Roadster on Jay Leno’s Garage, take 2.5 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Jay Leno gets the updated version of the Tesla Roadster, version 2.5, for a spell in the garage, which goes from a two-speed to a single speed transmission, has some revised bodywork front an back, interior upgrades to add more polish and the targa will roll an EPA-certified 245 miles on a charge. Follow the jump for his lengthy take on it, and to hear him compare it to his 1909 Baker Electric.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno’s Garage revisits the Tesla Roadster

Video: Jay Leno’s Garage revisits the Tesla Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tesla to buy old resources from GM, Toyota for NUMMI plant

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Tesla

Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Tesla struck a deal a few months ago with Toyota to buy the closed NUMMI factory in Fremont, CA, it was made clear that the $42 million price tag only included the building and property. At the time, Tesla officials indicated that most of the equipment previously used to build Toyota Tacomas and Pontiac Vibes was unsuitable for its upcoming products.

Apparently, after going through the available machinery, Tesla did find some items it can use and has reached an agreement with Toyota and Motors Liquidation Company (the remnants of the old, bankrupt General Motors) to buy some of the equipment for a total of $15 million. Tesla has paid $4.6 million as a deposit toward the purchase and will close the deal along with the property purchase. The purchase likely covers generic equipment such as lift trucks, robots and paint equipment.

Gallery: Tesla Model S

[Source: The Street]

Report: Tesla to buy old resources from GM, Toyota for NUMMI plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla reports second-quarter loss of $38.5 million

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Tesla

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Tesla has reported its first earnings statement as a public company and, not surprisingly, the numbers don’t exactly paint a rosy portrait. The company announced that while it managed to bring in revenue around $28.4 million, it lost $38.5 million. That loss marks the second such dip in earnings for the company this year, though analysts are saying that the drop in cash flow is to be expected. The company just handed over $42 million to purchase a manufacturing facility for the Model S, and odds are the company will continue to funnel money into the structure as we get closer to the EV sedan’s production date.

Speaking of the Model S, it’s likely that a fair portion of the company’s funds are being shoveled into development of this second Tesla model. With those two hefty projects on the company’s plate, odds are we won’t see the electric vehicle manufacturer turn a profit for some time – possibly until after the end of this year. The news doesn’t seem to have had too much of a negative impact on the company’s stock price, though. As of this writing, TSLA stock was still at $20.18 – down around a dollar from opening.

Gallery: Tesla Model S in motion

tesla-model-s-large-4 tesla-model-s-large-2 tesla-model-s-large-1 tesla-model-s-large-3 tesla-model-s-large-5

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Tesla reports second-quarter loss of $38.5 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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