SYDNEY, Australia, April 21, 2015 – Tesla Motors is pleased to announce that all Model S variants received a maximum-possible 5-star rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). With a total score of 35.45 out of 37, Model S received the highest rating of any electric vehicle in Australia.

Recognized around the world, Model S already holds a five-star rating from the Euro NCAP and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Earlier this month, Model S also received the Innovation Award from Canstar Blue for the car’s safety and technological advancements.

Built from the ground up as an electric car, Model S benefits from structural advantages not available in petrol powered cars. The battery pack, the largest mass in the car is positioned along the floor, creates a low center of gravity making rollover extremely unlikely. Because there is no engine, Model S has a large front crumple zone, meaning it can absorb more energy from a frontal impact. Finally, the body is reinforced with aluminum extrusions at strategic locations around the car.

Model S engineered with passive and active safety systems to intelligently anticipate and react to potentially dangerous situations. Starting in late 2014, Tesla began implementing the Model S active safety system in conjunction with the introduction of new Autopilot hardware, consisting of 12 ultrasonic sensors that sense up to 16 feet around the car, a forward-looking camera, a forward radar, and a digitally controlled, high-precision electric brake boost. Through over-the-air software updates, Tesla will continue to introduce new safety features over time.

About Model S

Model S is the world’s first premium sedan built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, engineered to deliver unprecedented range and a thrilling drive experience.

With a rigid body structure, nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a remarkably low center of gravity, Model S offers the responsiveness and agility expected from the world’s best sports cars while providing the ride quality of a luxury performance sedan. Model S is the world’s fastest four-door vehicle ever built.

Model S has received many awards and accolades, including Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year, Car and Driver 10 Best 2015, AUTOMOBILE Magazine 2013 Automobile of the Year, the 2013 Yahoo! AUTOS Car of the Year, Consumer Reports’ highest score ever given to a car, Canstar Blue Innovation Award 2015, Drive Best Luxury Car >$80,000, and ANCAP 5-star Safety Rating.