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Watch Tesla unveil Model S D trim, with autopilot and acceleration demonstrations

By now, you surely have heard that Tesla has introduced autopilot functionality to its cars as well as an all-wheel-drive option. After ten days of rampant speculation leading up to the October 9th announcement, and then the dramatic reveal, pretty much everyone with an internet connection is aware that the California automaker's Model S now has a new bag of automated-driving tricks made possible by a fresh suite of sensors and software. Not to mention the ability to do a mind-boggling 3.2-second sprint to 60 miles per hour from a standstill with the P85D configuration. That all sounds pretty cool, but seeing is believing. To that end, guests were given an opportunity for a brief ride after the event to experience the most visceral aspects of the update for themselves. Going by the flurry of footage that's appeared online, they were pretty impressed. Now, Tesla has also released official video of the monster-robot-aided announcement for those who couldn't make it to the event, and we have it and a curated collection of clips from joyrides below, including one with the CEO himself at the wheel, giving an explainer to Bloomberg. Enjoy the ride(s), but beware, the last one has (enthusiastic) language that is NSFW. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Tesla Motors via YouTube Green Tesla Electric Videos

Texas trying once again to legitimize Tesla sales

When pigs fly. That might be the Lone Star-style response to news that Texas may allow Tesla to sell its electric vehicles directly to the state's residences. But at least a half-dozen state lawmakers are pushing for it, says Automotive News. Indeed, five state representatives and one state senator filed bills last week pushing tweaks to state laws that would allow Tesla to skip the traditional third-party dealership distribution model and sell direct. House Bill 1653/Senate Bill 639 would have its limits, saying that any company (say, for example, Tesla) selling direct would be allowed a maximum of 12 stores in Texas. Considering there are about 1,200 franchised car dealerships in the state, that gives a whole new meaning to the term "one percenters," doesn't it? Supporters of the proposed bill say Tesla represents innovation and a true vision of the free market. Of course, Texas dealership representatives slammed the idea because revenue would go directly to California-based Tesla without making any sort of detour to state coffers. Tesla spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson confirmed that a bill suggesting the change in state law has been filed with both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and that it has been referred to the state's Natural Resources and Community Development Committee, but declined to comment further when reached by AutoblogGreen. Similar legal and ideological battles are being fought in states like Arizona and Connecticut. Discussions among the latter state's lawmakers gained steam earlier this month, with some proposing that a handful of dealerships should be permitted within the state in order to stop folks from going to New York or Massachusetts to get their new rigs. Related Videos: Featured Gallery 2015 Tesla Model S P85D: Detroit 2015 View 18 Photos News Source: Automotive News-sub.req. Government/Legal Green Tesla Electric dealer fight

Tesla says Model S crash test score is best NHTSA has ever recorded

We found out a couple of weeks ago that the Tesla Model S aced the crash tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What we didn't know until Tesla filled in some of the details is that the Model S scored more than five stars on the way to recording the best result of any car the NHTSA has ever tested. While NHTSA's highest public rating is five stars, the Vehicle Safety Number it gives to manufacturers can go higher, and Tesla says the Model S scored a 5.4. That's a better result than has ever been achieved in NHTSA testing of a passenger car, SUV or minivan.
Tesla's press release says that after its internal tests showed that it would score five stars on government's crash tests, it addressed any other weak points it found on the vehicle to ensure it would get perfect marks "no matter how the test equipment was configured." It was already going to do well in the frontal test, as the lack of an engine allows much more leeway in creating an occupant-saving crumple zone. And the rollover test was aided by the battery pack being located in the floor. The low center of gravity meant that the Model S couldn't be rolled over "via the normal methods and special means were needed to induce the car to roll."
Nested aluminum extrusions along the hatchback's flanks took care of the side pole intrusion test, the Model S not only scoring five stars but, according to Tesla, leaving nearly nine times more "driver residual space" post-impact than the five-star rated Volvo S60. And when the roof of the Model S was tested for crush resistance, the testing machine broke just after it crossed the four-G mark - the Model S, on the other hand, didn't.