2010 Tesla model s

Tesla gave the full reveal today on the all-electric Model S. The company’s first sedan will start at $57,400, but that is reduced to $49,900 after applying a federal tax credit of $7,500.

Tesla is promoting this as a family car, and that’s not hard to believe with seating for up to seven. This sedan has normal seating for five full adults, but it also is taking a page from the old station wagons and has a child-size set of reward facing seats.

Just like the rest of the domestic automakers, Tesla’s Model S comes with a list of options. The standard car comes with a lithium-ion battery pack that is good for 160 miles, but there will also be battery packs good for 230 and 300 miles. The base Model S will do 0-60 mph in under six seconds, and a optional sport version should shave about a second off that time. All cars will be electronically limited to a top speed of 130 mph.

Tesla says the Model S can be charged in any 110V, 220V or 440V outlet. While the 440V takes a convenient 45 minutes for a full charge, we may be a little displeased with having to devote a room in our homes just for the new electrical set up required for 440V service.

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Giugiaro Namir - world’s fastest hybrid debut in Geneva

A couple of weeks ago we got a taste of a hyper-hybrid called the Giugiaro Frazer Nash. As suspected, the engineering firm and British motoring icon Frazer-Nash was just working with Giugiaro on the Namir. One thing that hasn’t changed is the claim of the world’s fastest hybrid.

The super green machine weighs in at 3306 lbs and produces a combined 400 hp. This makes for figures that are almost too good to believe: 0-62 mph 3.5 seconds, 217 mph top speed, and rumored 118 miles per gallon (but probably not if you’re driving in the 200 mph zone.) The power system comes from a combination of a 0.8-liter rotary engine with four electric motors. It’s described an electric car with a gas engine used for boost.

Regardless of the set up, don’t expect Namir at any Hollywood parties any time soon. This car is putting new technology in a pretty wrapper than actually hitting the streets.

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Ferrari 599 goes hardcore with Expensive Additions

Ferrari will fight ebbing global demand for its most expensive metal by launching two new 599s at next week’s Geneva motor show.

The firm will announce specific details about the 599's Handling GT Evoluzione package (pictured here) on Tuesday. It’s expected to include new lightweight split-rim alloy wheels, shorter springs, higher-rate dampers and more track-oriented tyres than the standard model's. Changes to the steering, braking and transmission systems could also be included.

An ‘HGTE’-equipped 599 will be on show on Ferrari’s Geneva show stand, painted in a new triple-layer coat of Rosso paint.

Next to the 599 ‘HGTE’, the firm will give its new 599XX its world debut. It's a technical prototype of the V12-engined two-seater that will allow a select group of Ferrari customers to experience the firm’s very latest F1-derived engine, gearbox and chassis technology.

Following the lead of the Enzo-based FXX programme, examples of the 599XX are likely to be offered to a very limited number of clients, who will probably only ever drive them alongside Ferrari’s technicians at specially organised track days around Europe, experiencing the firm’s very latest technology, which will be fitted to their cars as it is developed.

The 599XX project cars probably won’t be road legal, and they are likely to be stored at Ferrari’s factory rather than retained by their owners between track sessions. However, those owners should gain an insight into the Prancing Horse’s newest technological breakthroughs, years before those systems are rolled out onto production models.

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