Tesla has set its sights on getting its Model S to compete against the best luxury cars, not just electric cars. It's promising an interior, for instance, as nice as any that can be found in a similar-size BMW.

To that end, it's unveiled the pricing and specs for the all-electric sedan:

The more money you pay, the more powerful of a battery you'll get. The bigger the battery, the more speed and range you'll have.

For about $57,000, you get a car that can go 110 miles an hour and go 160 miles before it needs to be recharged. At the other extreme, an $87,000 performance model will be able to go 130 mph and rack up 300 miles between charges. Zero to 60 mph? 4.4 seconds.

Every Model S comes with the 17-inch touchscreen, the focal point of the car's infotainment, Tesla says. The batteries will carry warranties for eight years, regardless of miles. Deliveries start in the middle of next year, and Tesla says it has more than 7,000 advance orders.

The electric-car movement gets a huge boost today as Tesla Motors officials delivers its first batch of new Model S sedan, its first product since its breakthrough roadster and yet another vehicle that could rock the alt-power car world.

The Model S luxury sedan could make an impact because it's premium version offers far greater range than in the past: up to 300 miles. Today's electric cars are usually limited to about 100 miles of range. But it won't come cheap. The cheapest Model S will start at $57,400, before a possible $7,500 in federal tax breaks, and run past $100,000 for the longest-range and most lavish versions.

Still, the company based Fremont, Calif., says it has more than 10,000 customers lined up to buy one. It operates from the huge former Toyota and General Motors joint venture factory that once turned out Toyota Corollas and Geo Prizms. Drive On will be at the ceremonies and we'll bring you details later.

Introducing a car so advanced it sets the new standard for premium performance. At the heart of the vehicle is the proven Tesla powertrain, delivering both unprecedented range and a thrilling drive experience.

With a rigid body structure, nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a remarkably low center of gravity, Model S offers the responsiveness and agility expected from world’s best sports cars while providing the ride quality of a sedan.

The 21st Century Powertrain

Tesla’s advanced electric powertrain delivers exhilarating performance. Unlike the internal combustion engine with hundreds of moving pieces that spark, pump, belch, and groan, the Tesla motor has only one moving piece: the rotor. As a result, Model S acceleration is instantaneous, like flipping a switch. Hit the accelerator. In 5.6 seconds, Model S is traveling 60 miles per hour, without hesitation and without a drop of gasoline.

Model S Performance

Model S Performance takes electric performance to the next level. Equipped with the 85 kilowatt-hour battery and a high performance drive inverter, Model S Performance accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. If driven the same way as Model S, both cars achieve the same efficiency thanks to the unique powertrain design. Model S Performance features unique exterior accents and an interior replete with Alcantara and carbon fiber accents.

Agility and Grace

The Model S suspension system was developed for the unique architecture of Model S. It works in harmony with the rigid and light Tesla platform to provide precision handling and optimum comfort. Unencumbered by an engine, the lightweight front suspension optimizes wheel control. The rear multi-link suspension is designed to seamlessly integrate with the powertrain.

Active Air Suspension

Much more than a great ride and handling package, the Active Air Suspension combines automatic advantages with on-demand features. As Model S accelerates, it lowers the vehicle for optimized aerodynamics and increased range. Use the touchscreen to raise or lower Model S when traversing thick snow or pulling into steep driveways.

Power Steering

Electronic Power Steering automatically reacts to driving conditions to stay comfortable and responsive at all speeds. The feedback is so precise, you'll feel constantly connected to the road

Go Farther

Model S sets the bar for electric driving range. Model S is offered with three battery options, each delivering unprecedented range. All three batteries are contained within the same enclosure, integrating with the vehicle in the same way, providing structural, aerodynamic, and handling advantages. All three batteries use automotive-grade lithium-ion cells arranged for optimum energy density, thermal management, and safety.

Plug In Anywhere

Model S comes standard with everything you need to plug into the most common 240 volt outlet, standard 120 volt outlets and public stations. With a High Power Wall Connector and Twin Chargers, Model S can be recharged at the rate of 62 miles range per hour. A fifty-percent charge in thirty minutes can be achieved with a Tesla Supercharger.

Ask Tesla owners how long it takes to charge and they'll say just a few moments. Like they do with a cell phone, most Tesla owners plug in at night. By morning, their battery is completely recharged. The Touchscreen can be used to create a customized charging schedule that enables you to charge when electricity rates are lower during off-peak hours.

All Glass Panoramic Roof

With the All Glass Panoramic Roof, Model S is the only sedan capable of delivering a convertible-like drive experience every day. It's more than a sunroof: the entire roof is constructed from lightweight safety glass. With a simple swipe of the Touchscreen, it opens wider than any other sedan's panoramic roof. On even the hottest days, the innovative glass keeps the cabin comfortable.

Built Around the Driver

Model S is a driver’s car. Behind the wheel, you’ll notice that Tesla has combined meticulous noise engineering with Tesla’s uniquely quiet powertrain to obtain the sound dynamics of a recording studio. The gem of the interior is the 17” touchscreen. It puts rich content at your fingertips and provides wi-fi or mobile connectivity.

The Dashboard You Should Expect

The touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and steering wheel controls seamlessly integrate media, navigation, communications, cabin controls and vehicle data. From the moment you open the door, the high-resolution

Model S touchscreen powers on and returns to its last function. The most commonly used controls line the bottom of the screen for easy access any time. wi-fi or mobile connectivity keep you connected while on the go.

More than a power source

The battery is a rigid, high-performance structure in its own right. But when married to the state-of-the-art body structure, Model S achieves even higher torsional rigidity and a lower center of gravity. The battery itself is designed for safety. Liquid-cooled, the battery maintains consistent temperatures

to prevent cells from overheating. In the event of a crash, the battery structure protects cells from impact and automatically disconnects the power supply. The battery not only protects its contents, but its position augments the overall strength of the passenger cabin.

STRONG, RIGID, AND LIGHT

The Model S body is a state-of-the-art, aluminum-intensive design. Weight-saving benefits make aluminum a natural choice. Extrusions, stampings, and castings are expertly joined for rigidity and strength. A rigid and strong structure not only protects you and your passengers, but also contributes to overall control behind the wheel.

Unhindered by an internal combustion engine, the front of the car is optimized for occupant safety. Perfectly straight double-octagonal rails run along the bottom of the structure and are designed to absorb the energy of impact should one occur. High-strength steel is used in key areas to enhance occupant safety.

There was a gasp last night when CEO Elon Musk revealed the glowing roadside icons to lure motorists into Tesla Motors' new "supercharger" stations, and it didn't sound like it was just for the electrical device's current-conducting attributes. Rather, the shocking feature was its shape.

Sure, the tapered tower looks a little like a stylized 1950s science-fiction rocket ship. That would make sense, given that Musk's other company, located right next to his design studio in Hawthorne, Calif., is rocket maker Space X. But it also looks a lot like an unabashed symbol of masculinity, not what you might expect as a sign for a place to plug in your electric car. Then again, maybe you would.

The symbolism is important. If Tesla's plans pan out, the tower will stand next to major highways around the country, beckoning Tesla Model S owners to come in for quick charge up. They would become part of roadside America, like fast-food stands or billboards for meteorite shops.

Asked flat-out if the choice was meant as phallic, Musk, who has something of a playboy image, deferred. "We were just trying to make it look like a cool futuristic thing," he told reporters.

The symbolism wasn't lost on Tesla's own staff. If you think the latest statue is a bit outrageous, you should have seen the original. The last concept was tossed only three days before its unveiling. Why? Concerns were raised about the shape, explained Vice President George Blankenship, by "a bunch of women."

Musk, says Blankenship, considers the icon to be "masculine" and "powerful," but he doesn't think the electric-car maker's leader read any more into it than that.