The Thing: the Tesla Model S Performance, a car for tree huggers with $100K to spare

In November, the California-based electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors opened its first Canadian store at Yorkdale, finally making it possible for Torontonians to purchase the future. The Model S, Tesla’s new flagship, can go zero to 100 clicks in less than five seconds and tops out at 210 kilometres an hour. It looks a little like a Maserati—but performs better. And it does all of that without using a single drop of gasoline. Instead, the car runs on a battery—charged by plugging into any 220-volt wall outlet—and can travel up to 480 kilometres before juicing up again. It’s not just the absence of an internal combustion engine that sets the Model S apart. It’s also the little things, like the key fob, which automatically unlocks the door as you approach and turns on the motor as you sit in the driver’s seat, no button pushing required. And the door handles, which retract into the body for better aerodynamics. And the dashboard, which is a giant iPad-like touchscreen, complete with Internet connectivity. We want one—very, very badly. From $103,000. Tesla Yorkdale, 3401 Dufferin St., 416-787-8006.