http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 4:14AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Like the performance, i can bet that it will be popular among street racers with such an acceleration.
Can't wait to read independent review.

Exceptionally well done job Tesla Motors.
]]>Jul 20th 2006 4:28AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
It will be interesting to see if all these freaks who are mad at GM for not continuing to build a money-losing car will pony up the $80,000 bucks to buy one of these. It's my feeling that they only want an electric car if its subsidized by someone else. Most everyone believes that Toyota loses money on every Prius too. It would be interesting to see what would happen if car companies charged the true cost of the cars (like Tesla is doing)instead of the enviros getting their rides subsidized by the manufacturers and by tax deductions. ]]>Jul 20th 2006 4:42AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 18th 2008 1:27PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
It is also based of Lotus Elise, so it seems, even though nobody is mentioning it... And lotus is even building it...]]>Jul 20th 2006 4:54AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 5:06AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 5:43AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
that being said, there are a lot of proprietary battery technologies being developed that could help improve future electric vehicles, most notably in terms of charge time. Toshiba, Altair Nanotech, and A123 are all developing fast charge lithium batteries. (Some or all of these are lithium polymer systems, as opposed to traditional liquid electrolyte. I'm not sure groups are doing what).

ALSO, having the decency and common sense to include a two-speed transmission so the car can get past 100mph is another kind act by the folks at Tesla. ]]>Jul 20th 2006 6:02AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
Ask me, for looks,I give it 10/10, all hands down. Love the sleeky sport's car look and yeh the red suits it better than the black.

For battery life however there are issues, 250 miles that's about 400 km on a single battery charge! Not too good for long distance travels, or is it ?

The fact that you mentioned of it being a green car is noteworthy. I wonder how it would feel to have a car without a tail pipe.

I just did a lookup for the car on Wiki and it seems the CEO's name over there is mentioned as 'Mark Eberhard' whereas the press release names him as 'Martin Eberhard' ...

Anyways ...0-60 in 4 secs is good ... The Looks rock ...
I want this babe :)
]]>Jul 20th 2006 6:03AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
If you read the Wired magazine article, you'll find that the company was founded by persons specializing in engineering, internet, and technologies; rather than automobile specialists! Tesla's website notes that cars will be sold directly through the website (with available test drives in certain locations).

From a business standpoint, I like Tesla's plan. I only worry about the $100k pricetag, but taking into consideration the production of such high-end sports cars as the Porsche Carrera GT (I saw one of those in Newport Beach, CA a few months back), the Ferrari Enzo, and the Bugatti Veyron - there might be enough rich persons out there willing to take a risk on a "futuristic sports car."

On a personal note, a friend of mine recently purchased a new sports car this week, featuring over 300hp. When he told me he had purchased it, I was really quite in awe, as I drive an economical car and rarely talk or even hear about fast cars. Now taking into consideration the potential for success in the future of the Tesla Roadster and its unbelievable accelration and high top-speed, it makes me wonder how far technology will push automobiles in the years to come.

Just look at the Governor's face while he sits idly as a passenger. Even a movie actor, a Hummer owner, and a Governor would appreciate a low-emission, technologically advanced, sports car.

--
A supporter of Tesla]]>Jul 20th 2006 6:38AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
I was thinking that Tesla & Wrightspeed are adapting lightweight MR (or RR) chassis production vehicles with their EV powertrains. There are several more vehicles out there, such as the Toyota MR2, Smart fortwo, Mitusbishi i, that you could start with a cheap platform and then put 5 figures worth of batteries & powertrain into, resulting vehicle being cheaper than the Tesla although not by all that much. Mitsubishi i would give you a practical 4 passenger vehicle, although the cost would probably be over $50k once converted.]]>Jul 20th 2006 6:53AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 7:11AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
More relevantly: has anyone seen anything about recharge times and battery life on this thing?

$80K may be a fair price, but it's a LOT for a sportscar with such an embarassingly low top-end. Hell, before the population increased around here, I used to drive to work at 130 MPH each morning.
]]>Jul 20th 2006 7:21AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/19/tesla-roadster-pics-are-out-there/

]]>Jul 20th 2006 7:22AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
I'm excited about this product but I really hope future versions incorporate faster charging batteries. Any thought on lithium polymer cell development, Martin, in case you're reading? :P

]]>Jul 20th 2006 7:30AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
The numbers show it to be a great performing car.

Couple that with the fact that it's all electric, and it's a great overall concept. The only thing that will be missing will be a great 'performance sound.'

I hope these sell like hotcakes, I wish the best for the Tesla team.]]>Jul 20th 2006 7:52AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
The review calls the guy "a modern day Preston Tucker." How appropriate! And it will be just as successful.

You guys are smoking crack if you think this car makes sense or will succeed. After Ed Begley, Jr. buys his, who will buy the next one?

]]>Jul 20th 2006 8:17AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 8:30AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/Jul 20th 2006 8:37AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/
It's a very important question - it's probably one of the weaker points of the car, maintenance-cost-wise.]]>Jul 20th 2006 8:40AM