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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

Will Bob Lutz's VL Automotive really offer V8 conversions for Tesla Model S?

VL Automotive is closely tied up with Fisker. The company's first product, the Destino, is a converted Karma and the Destino Red Concept, just unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, is the same hardtop Karma convertible that Fisker showed in 2009. So, what a surprise it was to see that Bob Lutz, who owns half of VL Automotive, is ready to convert a brand new electric vehicle: the Tesla Model S. A gas-powered Tesla? Say what? A gas-powered Tesla? Say what? That's at least one way to read this short article in The Detroit News. There's not a lot of context and a distinct lack of details, so we're left wondering if maybe Lutz just meant that Model S owners can buy a Destino. You can read the exchange for yourself here. What we do know is that Lutz said that VL Automotive has already sold nine Destino conversions. The cars cost $200,000, up from the previous estimate of $180,000, and well above the $116,000 max price tag on the original Karma. For your money, you get a 6.2-liter V8 taken from a Chevrolet Corvette that puts out 636 horsepower and can beat the 135-mile-per-hour top speed that the Karma has. Lutz said that all could add up to sales of around 200 or 300 Destinos each year. Featured Gallery VL Destino Red Concept: Detroit 2014 View 21 Photos News Source: The Detroit News via Green Car ReportsImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Detroit Auto Show Fisker Tesla Electric Hybrid PHEV vl automotive destino

Tesla stock drops on fear that comes with low gas prices [w/video]

Tesla's stock price was down to around $206 earlier today, but it's back up to over $216 now. Friday, it closed at over $223. Some stock blogs are saying the price could go as low as $165 in the not-too-distant future. What's behind these wild swings that CNBC's Phil LeBeau calls, "the worst seven-day trading period ever for shares of Tesla"? One potential culprit is today's low gas prices. Those prices – currently hovering at around $2.65 a gallon in the US, the lowest in about four years – are affecting the cars people buy (sorry, hybrids), so it's not a huge leap to think they'll affect high-end electric cars, as well. A $50 drop in share price is pretty dramatic, and Bloomberg and others point the finger at gas prices. Ben Kallo, an analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co., wrote that, "We believe the recent decline in TSLA shares is largely driven by the concern low gasoline prices could impact demand if sustained for the long term." But there are other ideas, too. Since we don't always comprehend analyst-ese, we're not sure if Zev Spiro at Orips Research thinks gas prices are to blame, but it doesn't sound like it: A negative signal developed yesterday as a high volume break occurred below the slightly upward slanted neckline of the topping pattern, in the $219.20 area. The break below the neckline signaled a trigger of the bearish pattern and indicated a downtrend with a minimum expected price objective in the $165 area. In addition, yesterday's bearish trigger may result in downward momentum in the near term. Indicators are generally negative, adding to the overall bearish tone. Kallo remains positive, though, saying that, "We believe demand for TSLA's vehicles will remain strong." This makes sense to us, since TSLA has weathered drops before, only to climb to record highs afterwards. Watch a CNBC video report on all of this below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.