Tesla Motors received 711 reservations for its Model S electric family sedan in two weeks after launching it on 26 March, the automaker said in an email newsletter.


Tesla plans to start building the sedan, which can carry up to seven people and travel up to 300 miles (500km)per charge, in late 2011.


“The surge of reservations already proves that there’s pent-up demand for a car that doesn’t compromise on performance, utility or efficiency,” chairman and CEO Elon Musk said in the newsletter.


Anticipated base price is US$49,900 after a US federal tax credit of $7,500 and the reservation fee of $5,000 is refundable, Musk said. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. The company has not yet released pricing for options and higher mileage battery packs.


Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee, which is also refundable. It will produce only 2,000 of these which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Production will be divided evenly between US and European customers.

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