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Tesla is planning a trio of new vehicles including a hot sports Cabriolet, in addition to its Model S Sedan.  (Source: Tesla Motors via Autoblog)

Tesla Motors claims to be winning the range battle over would be competitors GM, Ford, and Nissan.  (Source: Tesla Motors via Autoblog)

Tesla is adopting liquid cooling for its vehicles.  (Source: Tesla Motors via Autoblog)
A cabriolet, van, and crossover/SUV are on the menu

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has nearly succeeded in bringing his company public, despite personal financial issues that have prevented him from pouring more venture capital into the firm.  The initial public offering was announced in late January, but is on the verge of completion -- possibly coming as soon as next week.

This will be the first major IPO of an American automaker since Ford Motor Co. went public in 1956.  It comes at a time when Tesla is phasing out the first generation of its high-end luxury roadster, and preparing to sell an entry-luxury sedan, the Model S.  Tesla also recently received $50M USD from Toyota to help it develop electric vehicles.

One of the biggest dangers of an IPO is underpricing.  Many IPOs have been underpriced over the last several decades, leading to companies missing out on a large amount of vital revenue.  To help prevent that Tesla is holding its Road Show, going before heads of top Wall Street investment institutions to try to convince them how much the company is really worth.

In a slide #19 of an impressive Road Show presentation delivered by Musk, he reveals a trio of upcoming all-electric vehicles.  The first up is a hot new cabriolet (hard-top) design.  The model seems like a direct response to Fisker's Karma S "Sunset" convertible.

Also incoming are a van and SUV/crossover.  Both have a lot of curves and look kind of bulbous.  Whether you love or hate the designs, you have to admit, they would stand out in a parking lot.

Musk also revealed other intriguing tidbits in the presentation.  Among them, Tesla Motors will be adopting liquid cooling for the high power electronics used in its electrical vehicles.  Liquid cooling, commonly used in gaming and high performance computing, can be even more effective than forced convection and could allow for higher performance and longer ranges.

Tesla also plans to liquid cool its motors, starting with the Model S.

The full Road Show video can be watched here.

Tesla plans on offering 11.1 million shares of stock.  It is hoping to sell them at a price between $14-$16 USD, raising a target total of around $167M USD

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RE: Remember the skateboard?
By AoWARHEADoF on 6/22/2010 11:43:10 AM , Rating: 1
Thats really neat, nice to see a startup company that is going to go places in the future ( if it catches on ).

Sadly the electric vehicle has existed since 1910! The only thing we need now is research and development for new battery technologies that can store 100x the voltages in the same performance package, similar to CPU die shrinking. Then we will have EV's that coult possibly have 1000 mile ranges on a single charge. But i think technology like that will never be available even if it does exist because i don't think it would agree with corporations pocket books since 99% of all products (yes even your vehicles) are produced with planned obselence in mind. Pity.


RE: Remember the skateboard?
By Spuke on 6/22/2010 12:04:08 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
But i think technology like that will never be available even if it does exist because i don't think it would agree with corporations pocket books since 99% of all products (yes even your vehicles) are produced with planned obselence in mind. Pity.
Nah. They'll release them, it will just be at a cost that most DTers won't pay (more than $20k USD).


RE: Remember the skateboard?
By Jaybus on 6/22/2010 1:13:34 PM , Rating: 3
By 100x the voltages, I think you mean 100x the charge. That is just not going to be possible. It takes protons to keep electrons from flying off, and that means heavy metal electrodes or else very large sizes.

So it may not be possible to create a small light weight battery, but even a dense heavy battery would be OK. Hey, they work in cars now. The problem is that the charging cycle of current batteries is way too long. A Tesla with only a 100 mile range would be bearable if it could be charged in less than 5 minutes. But a 100 mile range with an 8 hour charge cycle is just not a feasible replacement for many people.


RE: Remember the skateboard?
By Spuke on 6/22/2010 1:21:34 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
But a 100 mile range with an 8 hour charge cycle is just not a feasible replacement for many people.
It doesn't work for the people complaining either cause they haven't bought any. But these people are MORE than happy to spend the money of the people that CAN buy them.


RE: Remember the skateboard?
By AoWARHEADoF on 6/22/2010 1:46:57 PM , Rating: 2
But can't things like Carbon Nanotubes store more protons like little carbon nanotube bags they are trying to develope? I believe even in the 1950's / 60's they even thought about putting small nucliar reactors on vehicles. Talk about being innovative. unlimited range, cool! But have an accident and have a meltdown.

Also I wish i could remember the name of the company that developed a battery that charges to full capacity in under 40 seconds. A regular AA or D battery. Being able to charge a full Lithium battery pack in under 40 minutes would be great.


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