The high-tech electric luxury sedan, Tesla Model S has been named the 2013 Car of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine, making it the first vehicle not powered by an internal combustion engine, winning the prestigious title in the 64-year history of the award.
The announcement came after a panel of 11 judges voted unanimously for the Tesla Model S after an extensive process of examination of every aspect of a diverse group of 25 contenders (45 with variants) that were considered for the award.
"It drives like a sports car, eager and agile and instantly responsive. But it's also as smoothly effortless as a Rolls-Royce, can carry almost as much stuff as a Chevy Equinox, and is more efficient than a Toyota Prius," Motor Trend wrote.
Tesla Model S won the prestigious award competing against some of the most historically dominant nameplates such as Porsche Boxster, BMW 3-series, Lexus GS, and Subaru BRZ. Tesla claims it has 250 patents covering the Model S, and more pending.
Tesla offers three lithium-ion battery packs for the Model S - 40-kW-hr, 60-kW-hr, and 85-kW-hr - that are claimed to provide ranges of 140, 200, and 265 miles, respectively. The base 85-kW-hr power train delivers a stout 362 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, while the performance version makes 416 hp and 443 lb-ft. All three batteries use automotive-grade lithium-ion cells arranged for optimal energy density, thermal management, and safety.
"Our aspiration with the Model S was to show that an electric car truly can be better than any gasoline car, which is a critical step towards the widespread adoption of sustainable transport," Tesla Motors Co-Founder and CEO, Elon Musk said in a statement. "Nothing illustrates this more clearly than winning Motor Trend's Car of the Year by unanimous decision against a field of exceptional competitors."
On its efficiency, Motor Tend said, "The best energy consumption figure we've returned is 118 mpg-e for a 212-mile run from the eastern fringe of the Los Angeles sprawl to Las Vegas, Nevada. For the 313 miles of road loops during the COTY evaluation, where the car was driven at normal speeds by all the judges with the air-conditioning running, it averaged 74.5 mpg-e. The 4766-pound Tesla Model S Signature Performance version will nail 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and the quarter in 12.4 seconds at 112.5 mph, with a top speed of 133 mph."
The interior of Model S has more cargo space than any other sedan in its class as the vehicle comes without an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel and it includes a second trunk under the hood. Car's interior features a 17 in-dash touchscreen with Internet capabilities, allowing for streaming radio, web browsing and navigation.
"With a base price of $58,570 (before a federal tax credit of $7500), the 40-kW-hr Model S is competitive with entry-level Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6. A loaded 85-kW-hr Signature Performance series, like the $106,900 (before tax credit) car Tesla founder Elon Musk drives, is priced right on BMW M5 and the Mercedes CLS63 AMG - cars of similar performance," Motor Trends said.
