EinSV: I apologize for the typographical error. Before, I wrote,
"...AUDI A6, BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class..." That should have been
"AUDI A6, BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class" instead.
deonb: You are incorrect. You brought up something that truly irks me. People have a strong tendency to classify the
'size' of cars by their overall length, or wheelbase, especially in the United States. This is not something that is determined by the automaker, and it isn't what a press release has to say. It is determined by the EPA. And it is based upon interior volume and cargo capacity -- not exterior dimensions. Some
'big' cars are actually rather small inside. See a Fisker Karma, for instance.
The AUDI A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are ALL classified by the EPA as Midsize cars. You don't have to believe me, read it on the EPA's website here:
Compare Side-by-Side -- A6, 5-Series, & E-Class
Be sure to click the
'Specs' tab. Where it shows the Tesla Model S is classified as a Large car. That is due to its combined interior volume -- not marketing -- and is an official specification. And yes, this is an advantage that the Model S enjoys because of: 1) the liftgate rear; and 2) the frunk up front. So what? That is simply great design and excellent engineering at work. It is NOT
'cheating' in any way. I expect if Porsche could manage a 600 cc 12-cylinder, 48-valve, Quadcam motor that got 700 HP and managed nearly 100 MPG, they would install it between the rear wheels and have a frunk in the Panamera too.
Tesla Motors is NOT a luxury car company. So, no... They don't need to
'come up with a luxury model' at all. The Model S competes directly against the flagship vehicles from other manufacturers. There is a reason why AUDI no longer offers the base A8 any longer
(though they did for 2015). It was classified as Midsize, the same as the A6. AUDI now only offers the A8L in the US. Which, due to its extended wheelbase, is classified as Large. And proof, again:
Compare Side-by-Side -- A8L, 7-Series, & S-Class
And, oh... By the way? The Model S has outsold all varieties of the A8, 7-Series, LS, XJ, Q70, Quattroporte, and Panamera three calendar years straight -- 2013, 2014, and 2015 in the US. While their sales have all steadily dropped, year-after-year, the Model S sales have grown. The Model S has outsold the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in 2013 and 2015, though the S-Class did reclaim its perennial throne temporarily in 2014. So, please, pretty please, with sugar on top, stop trying to downgrade the Model S to less-than-flagship status.