‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Puts Down Deposit for the Model S

Somehow, it seems appropriate that “Weird Al” Yankovic is the first celebrity mention for the Model S, the family car that Tesla hopes to release in 2011.

“Just put a deposit down on a Tesla Model S.  Yay, I get a new car in… 3 to 5 years!” wrote the composer of “Another One Rides the Bus,” “Eat It” and other modern classics on his Twitter feed.

The Tesla Roadster, the $109,000 sports car, has already long been a status symbol among the elite. Owners include Dustin Hoffman, George Clooney, Sergey Brin and Sam Perry. (Sam let Oprah cry on him after the Obama election, so he’s sort of a drive-by celebrity, like Squeaky Fromme, but what the hell.)

The Model S will be cheaper, so people like Paula Abdul, Bob Denver and Jimmie J.J. Walker will be able to afford it. It will sell for $49,900 after the $7,500 tax credit. But that’s the 160-mile range version, the one that will require TWO charging stops between San Francisco and Disneyland. Tesla has not released prices on the 230-mile and 300-mile range cars.