The term “bricked” is often used with smartphones and other devices that can become completely unusable and are essentially, well… just a brick. To hear that terminology being used by an automaker is a little disconcerting, especially when that automaker sells cars that cost over $100,000.

If the battery is ever completely discharged in a Tesla electric vehicle, the unfortunate owner is left with what the American automaker describes as a “brick”. That’s right, your $100,000-plus electric sports car can become a completely immobile vehicle that can’t be started at all unless you fork over $40,000 to have its entire battery replaced.

And the worst part of it all, Tesla’s factory warranty or any typical car insurance policy would not cover this. Tesla has apparently been downplaying the severity of the situation but apparently they have been working hard behind closed doors to prevent this from occurring more often – even possibly engaging an owner’s GPS tracking of a vehicle without their consent or knowledge.

Essentially a Tesla Roadster can fully discharge in 11 weeks of no usage, from a full 100-percent charge. Reports are coming in that if the vehicle is driven nearly its maximum range and is left unplugged, it could become bricked in as little as a week. So once the Tesla battery completely discharges, it cannot be recovered or recharged, which leads to the $32,000 bill to purchase a new one plus the labor, taxes, and installation charges bringing it closer to $40,000.

A regional service manager for Tesla has gone on the record to say that he is aware of at least five vehicles that have become bricked due to battery depletion. If reports of this issue becomes more public and widespread, Tesla could be in for a rough ride in damage control. Here is their response to the initial public reports:

“All automobiles require some level of owner care. For example, combustion vehicles require regular oil changes or the engine will be destroyed. Electric vehicles should be plugged in and charging when not in use for maximum performance. All batteries are subject to damage if the charge is kept at zero for long periods of time. However, Tesla avoids this problem in virtually all instances with numerous counter-measures. Tesla batteries can remain unplugged for weeks (even months), without reaching zero state of charge. Owners of Roadster 2.0 and all subsequent Tesla products can request that their vehicle alert Tesla if SOC falls to a low level. All Tesla vehicles emit various visual and audible warnings if the battery pack falls below 5 percent SOC. Tesla provides extensive maintenance recommendations as part of the customer experience.”

Later this year, Tesla plans to begin selling its newest car, called the Model S. With a possible range of up to 300 miles and a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds, entry level models will be priced from a more attainable $57,400 (before tax credits).

[Source: theunderstatement via Engadget]

Some may remember in 2009, Daimler purchased a 10 percent stake in Tesla for the joint development of a Smart EV.

Once again, Tesla and Daimler will once again collaborate on a new project, this time an electric Mercedes-Benz. Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings report revealed details regarding its role as the full powertrain supplier for a yet-to-be-named future Mercedes-Benz model. Components from Tesla include an electric motor, transmission, inverter and computer software.

Money is supposed to start flowing between the companies by the end of this year’s second fiscal quarter, but further details on the vehicle, its production date, or its volume are available in the report.

[Source: Autoblog]

One of the great perks of becoming an automotive journalist is the opportunity to get behind the wheel of practically any new car on the market, whether it be the latest Porsche or a Pagani Huayra.

However, Tesla has chosen not to oblige. According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk during an announcement last night, no sampling or test drives of the Tesla Model S will be allowed until customers have begun taking deliveries.

While the reason behind Tesla’s decision is unknown, investors are questioning whether the announcement suggests a lack of confidence in the Model S.

However, Musk defends that customers should not be worried. In fact, according to Musk, should any dissatisfied Tesla owner feel the need to sell their vehicle, he or she may could easily sell at a premium due to the high demand from the market.

What’s more, the recent unveiling of the Model X has further driven up Model S reservations. Revealed only last Thursday, the Model X all-electric SUV has been so well received, an astonishing $40 million worth of pre-orders were racked up the first day after it was unveiled.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S

Tesla Motors unveiled its Model X all-electric SUV last Thursday and announced that the order books would open the following day. That Friday, the Model X racked up an impressive $40 million in pre-orders.

The debut generated serious industry buzz, thanks in part to the SUV’s unique doors. The falcon wings, which open like gull wing doors but also fold in the middle, give the rear seat passengers the ability to stand straight up in the second row of seats, making entry and exit easier.

Tesla Model X was the third most popular search on Google on the day of the reveal, showing us just how interested the public is in Tesla’s cars. The Model S sedan also saw a 30 percent increase in in pre-orders.

With all the negative talk about EVs lately, it’s refreshing to see an electric car making positive sales progress.

Tesla is currently making headlines with the debut of the new Model X, but many are probably wondering when the next generation Roadster is coming. Well, apparently not anytime soon, according to Tesla Chairman and CEO Elon Musk.

Musk disclosed on Thursday that a replacement roadster won’t come until Tesla has launched its “Gen 3″ electric car, which will be a smaller, less-expensive EV for the mass market. In a recent interview with Inside Line, Musk mentioned that he would like to have a third-generation Tesla ready for the market by 2015.

“I have to be careful here,” Musk told Inside Line. “This is our aspiration, not a definite date,” he said. Tesla originally had planned to bring the third-generation of their automobiles to market in 2016, “but now we’re thinking early 2015.”

[Source: Inside Line]

Well, it has finally arrived. After all the hype and teasers Tesla has unveiled its Model X all electric SUV at the Tesla design studio in California. Well, we thought it would be an SUV, but after having a look, its probably safe to say its more of a crossover than anything.

The model X is said to be a family vehicle with performance roots according to Tesla, and will hit the 0-60 MPH mark in under five seconds. A dual motor all wheel drive setup is available for the Model X, and when outfitted will have two separate electric motors, one driving each axle. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and co-founder said at the press conference that Model X has ”more room than a minivan, more style than an SUV and more performance than a sports car.” The crossover will come with two of the three available Model S engine sizes,using either a 60 or 80 kWh battery pack. Thanks to its added weight, the Model X will get 10 to 12 percent less range than the Model S. That will give the the Model X about 260 to 270 miles of range for the 85-kWh battery and 200 to 210 for the 60-kWh.

Thanks to its lack of an internal combustion engine, the Model X has storage in the rear of the vehicle as well as the front, with the “frunk” alone offering as much storage space as an Audi Q7.

One of the most interesting features on the Model X are the doors. Tesla calls this unique door design “Falcon Wings” and are building upon many other luxury cars utilizing the classic gull-wing design. The falcon wings allow passengers easy step in access to the second and third row of seats, and because they bend in the middle can be opened in tight spaces without worry of smashing up the car next to you. Tesla says that seating seven adults comfortably will be no problem, and entering and exiting the vehicle will be easier than ever before.

The Model X will begin production in late 2013 with deliveries beginning in early 2014. The Model X’s price is expected to be around $57,500.

The all-electric Tesla Model X will debut today at 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time at Tesla’s design studio in California.

Mere hours before the official unveil Tesla founder and CEO, Elon Musk tweeted a new teaser photo which shows off what are being called the Model X’s falcon wing doors.

The new picture doesn’t give away much more than the first teaser photo did, but it’s doing the intended job: creating a buzz before the full unveil.

The falcon wing doors resemble gull wing doors like those found on the Mercedes-Benz SLS but claim to lift up and fold, offering easier access for rear seat passengers. We will have to wait and see exactly where Tesla is going with its new door design.

Be sure to check back here for coverage of the reveal.

When you’ve got a vehicle that’s as hyped as Tesla‘s Model S, you need to keep interest alive, especially if you’re pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and looking to recoup at least some of your investment.

The all-electric Model S, which aims to deliver a 0-60 mph time of around 5.6 seconds, a top speed of 125 mph and a range of up to 300 miles, has witnessed a long gestation period, though Tesla says it plans to have the car, which will be built at the old NUMMI plant in Freemont, California, on sale by this summer.

In the meantime, in order to try and keep the Model S the hot topic of conversation, Tesla has released this video, in which designer Franz von Holhausen and sales supremo George Blankenship discuss the merits of the all-electric, high performance sedan.

Tesla says the car will have a base retail price of $57,400 (before tax credits) and will come with a choice of three different battery systems  (40 kw/h for a 160 mile range, 60 kw/h for 230 miles and the 85 kw/h 300 mile range topper), plus four different trim levels, Model S, Model S Performance, Signature and Signature Performance (the latter three including such features as air suspension and Nappa leather trimmed interiors).

Whether or not the Tesla Model S will actually live up to the hype remains to be seen, nonetheless, the company is doing what it can to ensure that when the first cars are eventually delivered, they don’t end up suffering from the DeLorean syndrome.

Click here to watch the Tesla Model S video.

[Source: 2012: The Year of Model S from Tesla Motors on Vimeo.]

The new Tesla Model X crossover will be unveiled officially on February the ninth, but for the restless Tesla Fan, teaser photos have been released which showcase just a little bit of the new crossover’s styling.

The teaser photo shows us the front design lines as well as a little bit of the front end, which looks reminiscent of the Tesla roadster, only in bigger bulkier crossover form. The unveil will take place at the Tesla Los Angeles based design studio on Feb. 9th. Check back on the 9th for tull coverage of the Tesla model X reveal.

Let us know what you think of the Model X in the comments section below.

After every auto show there’s normally a lull in new product news as media and PR folks alike decompress. That won’t be the case with this year’s Chicago Auto Show, however, with the reveal of electric car maker Tesla’s new crossover the day after the Chi-town press day.

The reveal won’t be anywhere near Chicago either with Tesla announcing yesterday it would reveal the new Model X at its Design Studio in California. The new model is expected to sit on a modified version of the same platform used for the Model S electric luxury sedan and make use of similar powertrains.

Tesla recently announced pricing for the Model S, which will start at 49,900 after a federal tax rebate. The top Signature package will retail for $69,900 after tax incentives and will deliver a 300 mile range plus a 0-60 time of just 4.4 seconds.