The Tesla Model S: A Computer with Wheels

It’s March 2009, and the automotive world is in a state of collapse. GM and Chrysler are on the verge of bankruptcy. In the middle of this, a tiny startup in Silicon Valley called Tesla just pulled the wraps off the Model S prototype.

I’ve been following Tesla since the Roadster, but the Model S is different. The Roadster was a niche toy for early adopters. The Model S is a direct assault on the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class.

The Screen

The most shocking thing about the interior isn't the leather or the wood-it’s the 17-inch touchscreen that replaces almost every physical button on the dashboard. It’s powered by an Nvidia Tegra chip and runs a custom version of Linux.

As a software guy, this is incredibly exciting. It means the car’s interface isn't "fixed" when it leaves the factory. They can improve the UI, add features, and fix bugs through software updates.

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

Tesla is talking about "Over-the-Air" updates. Think about that. Your car could get a better suspension tune or a faster 0-60 time while you’re sleeping in your garage. This is a complete departure from the "dealer service" model of the last century.

The Battery Architecture

The floor of the car is a massive slab of thousands of lithium-ion cells (the same kind used in laptops). This "skateboard" architecture gives the car a very low center of gravity and massive amounts of interior space.

Looking Ahead

Tesla is treating the car like a "platform." They are applying Silicon Valley’s "move fast and break things" mentality to an industry that hasn't changed its fundamental architecture in 100 years.

The big question is: can they actually build it? Going from a prototype to mass production is "production hell" (as Elon Musk has hinted). But if they succeed, they won't just be selling an electric car; they’ll be selling the idea that the car is the ultimate mobile device.