Tesla zooms into Brentwood
It has more horsepower than a Ford Mustang or a Dodge Challenger, does 0-to-60 mph in just about three seconds — and doesn’t use a drop of gasoline.
It’s the Tesla Model S — and owning (or at least test driving) one in Tennessee just got a lot easier.
Tesla Nashville opened its first sales center in the state for the all-electric luxury car company two weeks ago and it’s already attracting curious customers and car enthusiasts from all over the country.
Louis and Ida Etoch travelled from Arkansas to take the Model S for a spin. The couple logged on to Tesla’s website to schedule a test drive in California, where the company is based. But after a salesperson told them about the new Brentwood showroom, they were pleasantly surprised to find out they wouldn’t have to travel across the country to get behind the wheel.
“I was thinking that I’d have to go all the way to California to test drive one, so I was really glad to find out they had one here,” Louis said.
All-electric luxury
The sleek new Brentwood showroom has a blue metallic Model S on display, as well as a gray metallic model available to test drive.
For an all-electric car, Etoch said, he was surprised by how the car handled.
“I’ve owned and driven everything from a Mercedes SL550 to E350 to trucks and I’d say it drives better than any gas car. It handles really well because all of the weight is on the bottom, which also makes it very fast,” he said. “It can definitely take off and it’s definitely a luxury car.”
The Model S, Tesla’s premium electric sedan, is available with a 60 or 85 kilowatt-hours (kWh) battery as well as an 85 kWh performance version, has a top speed of 155 mph and is capable of traveling up to 265 miles on a single charge.
While the mileage per charge is impressive, it might not be ideal for drivers who plan to take long-distance trips.
“In my mind, you’d still need a gas vehicle if you’re going more than a few hundred miles,” Etoch said.
The Model S also comes with equipment such as a 240-volt adapter and mobile connector. The equipment allows for the owner to charge the vehicle at home or on the road; it takes about four hours to charge completely.
Charging up the future
But Tesla is working on reducing the time it takes for owners to recharge their batteries as well as making recharging more convenient.
“We’re starting to make leaps and bounds in terms of our cars and our Supercharger network,” Tesla communications manager Will Nicholas said. “We’ve developed a Supercharger station network which is free to customers that will quickly charge the car in around 20 to 30 minutes.”
The company recently opened a charging station at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.
A Supercharger station has also been installed at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville, but is only available to hotel guests. However, Nicholas said, Tesla has additional Supercharger stations slated for Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky in the near future.
Tesla has been operating a service center in Brentwood since June, but couldn’t open a showroom to sell its all-electric cars until it cleared a Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission application process two weeks ago.
Instead of purchasing a car and driving off the lot, customers essentially build and customize their car just they want it through a number of à la carte options, Nicholas said. After a $2,500 deposit, the car is custom built in California and shipped to Brentwood.
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The entire process takes two to three months.
The Etochs didn’t purchase a Tesla on Tuesday, but did say they would have plenty of time to decide during their trip back to Arkansas.
“It’s a very nice vehicle, it’s probably the nicest vehicle I’ve ever been in. Now I’m just trying to figure out how I can gather up enough money for one,” Etoch said.
Reach Collin Czarnecki at 615-852-1130 or on Twitter @CollinReports
Tesla Nashville
Where: 1641 Westgate Circle in Brentwood
More information: Call 615-661-8025 or visit www.teslamotors.com
Tesla Model S
Equipment: Includes a 240-volt adapter and mobile connector, which allows the owner to charge the vehicle at home or on the road.
Range: Up to 265 miles on a single charge.
Top Speed: 155 mph
Horsepower: 691
Cost: Pricing for the Model S 60 kWh begins at $69,900 and reaches $104,500 for the 85 kWh performance model.