Tesla Motors opens in the Fashion Mall

Tesla Motors, a California-based maker of luxury electric cars is opening tomorrow in the Fashion Mall at Keystone, 8702 Keystone Crossing. The showroom is located near the food court on the first floor next to Raleigh Limited .

This is the first Tesla store in Indiana and the eigth in the Midwest. Tesla first product launch was 2008's Tesla Roadster, a highway-capable two-seater.

Now that the Roadster is out of production, the company is focusing on their latest car, the Model S. The Model S is the first mass-produced electric premium sedan, according to Alexis Georgeson, Tesla spokeswoman. The car has been in production since 2012 with 21,000 being built this year.

But what made them locate inside an Indianapolis mall?

"We put the stores in places where people are informed and interested in technology," Georgeson said of coming to Indianapolis. "We have a great relationship with Simon and we have a lot of stores in Simon Malls."

One Model S sits on display in the showroom surrounded by apparel for the family and touch screens that navigate you through frequently asked questions about the car.

"We didn't want to be a high pressure sales model," Georgeson said. "Most of the people walking into the store are not in the market to buy a car today, but we get Tesla on their minds so they can think of us when they are in the market."

A standard Model S starts at $62,400 and includes your charging cord and an adapter to use at free public charging stations like the one at Clay Terrace mall. Georgeson said they recommend that buyers install a standard washer and dryer outlet in their garage to charge their vehicle at night; a full charge takes about eight hours.

The driving experience is smooth and quiet, but not significantly different than other luxury cars. The biggest differences are apparent when you get in the car, turn it on, or get out. The Model S features keyless entry and ignition, except there isn't an ignition - you simply move a lever (like the one that controls the windshield wipers on most cars) to turn the car on or park it, and it just shuts off when you step out of the car.

Here are 10 more things you need to know about the Model S:

• Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of Silicon Valley engineers, including former PayPal head and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who wanted to prove that electric cars could be cool.
• The Model S goes from zero to 60 in as little as 4.2 seconds.
• Because there is no engine, the Model S has a trunk in the back and front.
• The Model S uses a wireless internet connection to monitor certain functions and features voice navigation powered by Google maps.
• Tesla has an app that allows owners to monitor their car's charge, set the time you want the car to begin charging and start the car.
• Without an engine, the car goes from chilly to warm instantly. You can start it beforehand in cold weather, but it's not necessary.
• Deliveries for the next car, the Model X - an SUV crossover- begin in 2014. It will seat seven adults.
• The Model S seats five adults - a heated back row seating is optional, as are two rear facing jump seats for children.
• The control panel is touch screen and you can open and close the sunroof using a sliding motion with your finger.
• The 60 kilowatt battery pack can travel for 208 miles on a single charge and the 85 kilowatt battery can go for 265 miles. However, if you need to charge your car outside of your home, here is a map of free charging stations around the city and state from Project Plug-In.

Contact Star reporter Whitney Smith at 444-6187 and follow her on Twitter and Facebook @IndysFruGal.