Beginning Friday, Tesla will begin delivering the first batch of Model S sedans to buyers who have pre-ordered the svelte EV, but before the first all-electric Model S rolls out of the automaker’s Fremont, California, factory, the EPA has released its official fuel economy ratings.The new “miles per gallon equivalent” or MPGe of the Model S comes in at 88 MPGe in the city and 90 MPGe on the highway, for a combined rating of – you guessed it – 89 MPGe.
Just as importantly, the EPA is rating the sedan’s range at 265 miles, based on its new five-cycle testing procedure. That puts it at the top of the EV heap when it comes to range, dwarfing the Honda Fit EV’s combined 118 MPGe, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s 112 MPGe, the Ford Focus Electric’s 105 MPGe and the Nissan’s Leaf’s 99 MPGe – none of which are as large or as capacious as the Model S.
The EPA tested a Model S equipped with the largest capacity battery available, with 85 kWh of juice and a sticker of $69,900. Two other models with smaller packs will go on sale, along with the Performance model, which boasts the same 85 kWh pack.
Tesla has also announced its partnership with Nvidia to supply the chipmaker’s Tegra Visual Computing Module (VCM), which powers the 17-inch touchscreen navigation, infotainment and climate control system.
Two Tegra processors handle both the massive center stack display – the largest fitted to a production car – along with the 12.3-inch configurable LCD fitted behind the steering wheel and taking the place of traditional gauges.
By supplying the Tesla Model S, Nvidia now boasts over 20 brands and 100 vehicles using the chipmaker’s wares.
Source: Wired.com
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