Tesla Motors’ shares first reached $100 last week, peaking at $109 in early-morning trading May 29. And although the stock has since dropped to $93 a share, Tesla’s skyrocket to more than double its value just one month ago can be attributed in part to breaking its own sales records in the first quarter. Tesla sold 5,000 of its Model S cars from January to March,  and expects to increase its gross margin by 25 percent in the second half of 2013.

Why are so many new customers choosing the Model S? For starters, Tesla claims the slick electric vehicle can reach a top speed of 130 miles-per-hour. But does it really? It certainly had no trouble beating a Dodge Viper on a drag strip, but what’s it like to accelerate to such awe-inspiring speeds?

User El Alex recently gave us a look in a YouTube video. The footage captures “Elliot,” driving a Model S from 0 to 133 miles-per-hour in just 26 seconds. Focused on the speedometer, the camera catches the car reaching 100 miles-per-hour in the first 12 seconds, then taking another 16 seconds to reach peak speed of 133. It’s truly incredible, we only wish there was a dash-cam showing us what Elliot saw at that velocity.

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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