Tesla Model S spotted testing

The car was seen being driven around an unknown track by Tesla's chief designer Franz Von Holzhausen. The Model S is slated to be the second model in Tesla's electric car range, after the Roadster, which is already on sale in the United States.

Tesla claims that it has already received over 1000 orders for the Model S sedan, and the car is expected to go on sale towards the end of 2011 at the earliest.

The Model S is a luxury five-seater sedan that weighs 1735kg and measures 4.98m in length. A unique feature for a car of its ilk is the addition of two additional rear-facing seats in the boot area that can accommodate children, under the rear hatch lid.

Performance figures for the Model S are impressive too, with a quoted 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 210km/h. Tesla claims that the Model S is capable of a range of 483km while fully charged, and the car can be recharged using 120V, 208V or 240V power outlets.