We’re making our lists a little early this year, as Tesla can only promise delivery of our custom Roadster by the end of the year if you order today (October 28) by eight o’clock Eastern.

Oh, and if you live in Colorado, you may be eligible for a $42,000 tax credit.

Still can’t justify it? A subscription to Winding Road also makes a great gift for discriminating drivers.

+ Tesla: Last Call For Holiday Deliveries

We were excited to show you the studio shots of Tesla’s sleek upcoming sedan, the Model S, when they leaked onto the web a few months ago. Now, the electric car manufacturer has released some stunning driving shots of the Tesla Model S.

The driver, whom Autoblog postulates may be Tesla chief designer Franz Von Holzhausen, appears to be enjoying himself. We can only imagine.

Click through the gallery above to check out the Tesla Model S sedan in motion.

+ Autoblog: Pics Aplenty: Tesla unloads new set of Model S driving shots

The U.S. Department of Energy, under its Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program (a $25 billion program), announced yesterday that Ford would be one of the many companies being granted a low-interest loan. Ford, who had applied for $11 billion, has been granted $5.9 billion in financing and is planning to use these funds to retool its U.S. plants to produce fuel-efficient vehicles and to meet new fuel economy deadlines, among other things.
 
The DoE has also approved Tesla Motors for the loan and has granted it $465 million which it will use for a powertrain manufacturing plant and for the production engineering and assembly of its all-electric family sedan, the Model S. Tesla states that their partnership with the DoE is to “accelerate the production of affordable, fuel-efficient electric vehicles”. While Ford and Tesla have already been approved for the loan, Nissan has announced that they have been conditionally approved by the DoE for a loan of $1.6 billion to modify its Smyrna, Tennessee manufacturing plant to produce zero-emissions vehicles.
 
To read the press releases of Ford, Nissan, and Tesla, click on the links below.

+ Ford: News and Announcements: Press Release
+ Nissan: Corporate: Corporate News
+ Tesla Motors: Media: Press Room

Today, Daimler AG announced it had acquired an equity stake of Tesla Motors of almost 10 percent. The companies already had a working relationship involving Tesla’s lithium-ion battery and the Smart ForTwo.

The announcement is a step toward putting lithium-ion batteries in all Smart and Mercedes-Benz electric cars by 2012. Mercedes has plans to produce an electric car beginning in 2010.

Scroll down to read the official press release.

Earlier this week, editorial director Tom Martin and WR contributor Rex Roy drove a brand new Tesla Roadster through the winding roads of California, bringing a Lotus Elise SC along for fun (more on that later).

We've created yet another Ask It forum thread about the Tesla, so feel free to drop us a line with any questions that you may have about the electric roadster.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Tesla Roadster

After a quick (and early) peak at the car yesterday, Tesla has gone and officially revealed the newest member of its two-car line up, the Model S Sedan. 

The Model S has some pretty impressive numbers going for it, with a 300-mile all-electric range, 45 minute quick charging of its batteries, a 130 mile per hour top speed (limited electronically) and a 0 to 60 sprint of “under six seconds.” Perhaps most impressive though, is the projected sticker price of $49,900-that's after taking into account the $7500 federal tax credit.

With its powertrain mounted in the floor of the vehicle, the Model S promises to be one of the most uniquely versatile sedans on the market. There'll be seating for seven (two rear-facing jump seats for kids only in the back), along with loads of storage space thanks to a hatchback configuration, fold-flat seats, and trunk space in front and rear.

It's all very exciting, without at doubt, but don't expect to have a Model S sitting in your driveway anytime soon. Tesla's anticipated start of production date isn't until late in 2011. Click through the gallery above for more images of the Model S or read more about the car in the official press release below.

Tesla’s plan to reveal its new Model S sedan today at Noon PST has been slightly altered, as technophile darling Kevin Rose—founder of Digg.com—decided to upload some stock images of the Tesla to his personal Flickr page. Just a few hours early.

Rose’s daring is our gain, as it gives us our first unobstructed view of the handsome EV sedan. The Model S bears more than a passing resemblance to Jaguar’s swooping XF—which is no bad thing in our book. The low-slung sedan also appears to have a completely glass roof to complement its elegant sheet metal.

The lone interior shot may only reveal a partially completed cockpit area, but it does highlight a huge and unmistakable center stack touch screen display. A configurable control system is likely then, nestled inside of what seems to be a very nicely conceived, leather bound interior.

All in, it’s a lot of next generation appeal for a sedan that’s expected to retail for $57,400. Anticipate more detail as we have it.

+ AutoblogGreen: Leak! Tesla Model S pics surface on web ahead of today's debut

http://www.sub5zero.com/green-autos/tesla-releases-model-s-teaser-upcoming-elect...

 With 150 roadsters already delivered to its customers, Tesla has recently added a new model to its lineup called the Roadster Sport. Essentially an upgraded version of the original roadster, the Sport has 15 percent more power, totaling to about 285 horsepower (compared to the regular 248), bringing the 0-60 time down to 3.7 seconds— 0.2 faster than the standard model.

The additional power partially comes from the hand-wound stator with a higher winding density and lower resistance, which (apparently) provides a higher peak torque. The electric motor redlines at 14,000 rpm with power transmitted to high-performance Yokohama tires via an upgraded gearbox found in the “powertrain 1.5” package. Improved suspension, including adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, keep the Roadster Sport firmly planted on the ground.

Tesla has already started taking orders on the $128,500 Sport in the U.S., and the first completed models are expected to be delivered in late June. For the 1,100 customers who have yet to receive their Tesla, they can still upgrade to the more powerful model.

+ Motor Authority: Tesla adds more powerful Roadster Sport to lineup

Well, sort of.