Tesla Roadster - All Electric sports car (2007 prototype)

This is the Tesla Roadster. All Electric sport car. 0-60mph in 4 sec. Due to the high torque electric motor, the car can operate from 0 to top speed 125mph entirely in second gear. You can shift gear to get more power or more mileage, but that is optional. Recharge in 3 hours. Range is about 250 miles depending on how you drive it. Priced below US $100K. But should be above that after tax and license fees. This should qualify for some federal or state clean air car tax credit. Anyone know for sure???

This one is a prototype. The first production car will come out of production line in 2008. Notice a design flaw at the end of the video. After you've opened the charging port cover, it blocks the car door. If you are not careful, you may rip out the cover or chip the paint on the door. I'm sure that would fix it before the first car comes out.

Learn more at http://www.teslamotors.com/

This footage was recorded on Nov 29, 2007 at a Toyota event held by Toyota Sunnyvale in Sunnyvale, CA, USA.

[An update, Oct 15, 2008]
Telsa puts their San Jose CA manufacturing plant on hold for 6 to 9 months due to the recent economic slump.

update a small plane carrying 3 Tesla employees crashed in E. Palo Alto on Feb 18, 2010. All 3 on board were killed. see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi7PJHD534E

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Tesla
• All
• Electric
• sports car
• roadster
• Tesla Motors Inc
• sportscar
• automobile
• green
• environmental
• alternative fuel vehicle
• electrical vehicle
• 電動跑車

[Janusha]

Its funny how they are trying to pass this off as an american car. They do that inorder to score technology money from the state of California and the US-government. Same goes for the Dodge Circuit. Both of which are rebadged European sportscars.

[cplai]

@Janusha The body of this car was designed by Lotus. But don't judge a car only by its skins. Like if you wear a George Bush mask in Halloween, do you become him? No.

[Janusha]

I just got back from a car show where I drove the 2010 version. Dealers told me its only 7% Lotus. I said.. what 7% mannhours? 7% of its weight? the number of parts? Its a silly thing they say inorder to market it as their own product instead of an electric Lotus. They were forced to coincede that yes its built at the Lotus headquarters in England by Lotus people with Lotus tech. Its simply delivered to Tesla where they insert the electric engine and battery and hey... An "american" car is born.

[cplai]

@Janusha Toyota and GM has abandoned the NUMMI auto factory in Fremont California. Tesla has recently taken their place. That means the Tesla will be made in Fremont, California. Remember that the key intellectual properties are the batteries and electrical energy management system. Even Toyota has signed up with Tesla to use their battery design.

[cplai]

@Janusha The main problem with electric cars is the range. Did you know the Toyota Prius can only drive 2 miles on battery power after it runs out of gas? Making a long range electric car is not a trivial engineering challenge. I applaud Tesla for making the first step.

[mikxr]

where does the spare go?

[cplai]

@mikxr I honestly don't know where they hide the spare tire. Probably like most pick-up trucks, they can hang the spare under the bottom using a cranked chain. Besides, many urban people simply get rid of the spare because a flatbed truck is often just minutes away. Getting rid of the dead weight improve the milage and range of the car too.

[cant7think7clearly]

Not sure why but the Tesla Roadster really stirs me more than any other supercar ever has. Even if the steering wheel's on the wrong side of the car. ;)

[cant7think7clearly]

That was a poor attempt at a joke. Don't take things so seriously mate!

:)

[Janusha]

Thing is.. Electric power currently struggles with range so it makes sense to make it into a sportscar. because then they can justify a higher pricetag to cover the extra cost of light weight materials. Also it made sense to call Lotus because Lotus made their first fully carbonfibre car over 40 years ago. In contrast the entire continent of USA has no experience whatsoever with light weight cars or sportscars.

[Janusha]

I seriously doubt they will change the current Tesla and have it made in USA. And if it is, it will still be a Lotus product. However they are currently showing a concept version of their NEXT car which might be made in California.

As for their tech.... its stuff they buy from other companies. This isnt uncommon.

[Janusha]

Oh and by the way.. The bodywork is made in France and shipped to the Lotus factory where Lotus puts it on.

This isnt the first electric Lotus. There is the Nemesis and Dodge Circuit which is Dodges way of scoring California state funding and Obamas tech money. Its really also a redressed elecric Lotus.

[Porsche010]

maybe the engine is on... noone knows because it doesent make any noise..