February 16, 2016
The headline may have caught you by surprise, so let me reiterate: yes, Tesla has built a Model S for kids. While you or I might think that’s a bit nutty, Elon Musk has come up with far more outlandish proposals in the past. The mini Tesla Model S—which we are henceforth calling Tesla Jr. (pictured)—was created in collaboration with Radio Flyer. (If the brand name isn’t familiar to you, you may still recognize the company’s iconic bright-red wagons that are typically featured in classic holiday period films.) Like Senior, the Tesla Jr. sports similar lithium-ion battery technology—the only difference is that the top speed for the Tesla Jr. is six miles an hour. So certainly not the ludicrous speed promised by the adult version. In terms of style, Tesla Jr. resembles its daddy right down to the turbine-inspired hubcaps, working headlights and bright red paint job. For kids who are a bit more adventurous, the Tesla Jr. will also be offered with a Flight Speed lithium-ion battery that has approximately 50 percent more run time. And to top it all off, a custom vanity plate option is also available so that his friends recognize who the baddest little kid on the playground really is. The Tesla Jr., which is expected to ship sometime in May, will retail for about $500. So tell your children to start saving up now! See the demo video from Radio Flyer in case you’re on the fence about whether you want to purchase a Tesla Jr. If you decide yes, you can preorder one here.