Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Green
First Validation Prototype Tesla Roadster arrives Stateside
click above image to view AutoblogGreen's gallery of Tesla Roadster pics
It's fair to say that we've all been impressed with the all-electric Tesla Roadster so far. Aside from the car itself and its impressive specs, researching Tesla Motors itself will show you that this Silicon Valley startup is building a legitimate, new automotive brand and doing everything by the book. As such, Tesla is quite proud that the first of 10 new Validation Prototype versions of the Tesla Roadster have arrived in San Carlos, CA from the factory in Hethel, England.
Compared to the Engineering Prototypes we've all seen countless times, the VPs have a significant number of new or modified parts. On his company blog, Vice President of Vehicle Integration Malcolm Powell lays out the visible changes that have been made to the car. - Headlamp and tail lamps – The EPs had functional place holders (right, above) while VPs are fitted to production intent (right, below)
- Seats – The VP seat shell has a wider base and trim detail has evolved
- Centre console – We modified the profile to match the seat change
- Heating and ventilation – Controls and graphics were adjusted for clarity
- Center High Mounted Stop Lamp – repositioned to improve rear visibility
[Source: Tesla Motors via AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bryan 7:38PM (3/23/2007)
Loks like a Solstice and a Miata did a 3 way with a Corvette. Looks too old already. I do see a little Fiero in there too..hmmm.
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mcheddadi 7:59PM (3/23/2007)
Design wise, this car is a lame attempt at making an ASL Garaiya look alike.
http://pjr.s31.xrea.com/images/tokyo-autosalon2003/garaiya-1.jpg
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Chet 11:14PM (3/23/2007)
This car is WAY better looking in person. It's like an Exige that's not so desperate for teenage attention.
It's a sweet little car. Tesla gets it -- this is not a greenie weirdmobile, it's a real sporting roadster for real car guys. Look for some 911s to hit the used market when this thing goes on sale.
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siry 12:54AM (3/24/2007)
If you read the blog on the tesla site it explains that the wheel gap in this photo is only because the battery pack and motor has not yet been installed (the added weight gets you to regular height)
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WillTheThrill 1:54AM (3/24/2007)
I just can't understand why they can't produce a car with a self charging system? This thing can go 200+ miles before needing a recharge, why can't we invent some type of recharging component? I mean, attach something to the wheels, as it rolls it creates a charge for the vehicle. Hell, the vehicle can power itself from its' own movememnt.
I'm not that big on green cars, but do we have this tech yet?
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ruggels 2:06AM (3/24/2007)
no we don't, hence regenerative breaking not just spinning
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Brackie 6:09AM (3/24/2007)
The irony of apparently using a progressive power system but clothing it in a Lotus Elise pastiche is amusing. It even uses Austin Metro wingmirrors! I admire the car and what they are trying to do, but they need to get their own look otherwise its just another kit car built in a shed somewhere. Oh and rear lights very off the shelf aftermarket. Be clever like Aston was with the DB7 Lights which were from a mazda protege/323 or like how TVR used the Vauxhall Cavalier lamps for the Griffith.
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sk 9:01AM (3/24/2007)
Did anyone else notice the fuel cap at the left side of the car. What is that for?
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Tony Belding 10:08AM (3/24/2007)
The "fuel cap" covers the charging port.
And no, nobody has yet invented perpetual motion vehicles, although somebody is always trying:
http://go-n-motion.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkcn8ZkvKKc
Now I've got to say this about the styling. . . Everybody has different ideas about styling. I know a lot of people swooned over the Pontiac Solstice, even though I personally think it looks like a lump on wheels. I am not a fan of most styling trends these days, and I'm glad Tesla didn't try to follow them too closely.
They said they wanted to make something more timeless that would still look good in ten years. IMO they've done that. Aston Martin has done it better, but not many others have.
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Ford Mustang 11:30AM (3/24/2007)
Looks like the offspring of a Lotus and Miata.
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TheRealist 11:55AM (3/24/2007)
If they plan on selling this car, PLEASE get rid of that HIDEOUS wheel gap.. That is utterly disgusting.. This is a sports car, not an offroad vehicle
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sk 12:44PM (3/24/2007)
TheRealist,
As mentioned earlier by siry:
4. If you read the blog on the Tesla site it explains that the wheel gap in this photo is only because the battery pack and motor has not yet been installed (the added weight gets you to regular height)
Posted at 12:54AM on Mar 24th 2007 by siry
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Fred 5:13PM (3/24/2007)
I still can't imagine driving this instead of my Elise. Sure, the performance will be similar, but a big part of the driving experience is the screaming of the engine and exhaust. Winding it up to 8500rpm is better than any MP3 it can play, and it scares people ahead enough to let me pass on a two lane curvy mountain road.
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Stanton 7:04PM (3/24/2007)
#5 - I'm sorry, but in this universe, we obey the laws of thermodynamics.
Anyway, considering Elon's other big world-changing project is having trouble living up to expectations, unlike Autoblog I'm going to wait until independent observers actually test and use this thing before I go grovelling at the shrine of a chopped-up Elise.
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Carletti 1:39AM (3/25/2007)
To be sure, this automobile is not for the Escalade crowd, respectively. I would say that Tesla is a company that is in the business of promoting a new brand of thinking about the automobile, and in the process it has undergone to commit to the function over form (and flash) philosophy.
Now that being said, I am very much an admirer of no gimmicks small cars like, of course, Lotus cars and so the Tesla car is, in my view, probably the best hope one has for an exciting future for the prospect of having the option to buy only electric cars. The gaps in the wheel bay don't bother me one bit as I imagine they must probably serve some integral function. Indeed, I view the tight wheel to bay fad a joke in some respects, as even some economy cars are lowered to achieve some "sporting" affect. In essence, then, I admire the approach of Tesla and I don't think that the Tesla car would disappoint the great Serbian inventor it was named after either.
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WillTheThrill 3:00AM (3/25/2007)
Stanton-
Humm, in this universe we've been using water to turn a huge wheel to make electicity since the 1950's! WTF does heat demographics have to do with inventing a component to recharge the vehicle? With as many spinning parts on cars today, you're telling me that it's foolishly impossible to make something like that?
Stop watching 1st gen Star Trek, the technology is possible now.....hint, it's 2007!
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sk 9:07AM (3/25/2007)
Hey WillTheTrill, thats preposterous!
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Tony Belding 9:14AM (3/25/2007)
Carletti. . . This has been noted, but I guess it won't hurt to say again. The car in the photo is riding so high because they have not yet installed 900 pounds of batteries behind the seats. You can look at some photos of the other prototypes on Tesla's website or elsewhere and get a better idea of the car's normal stance.
WillTheThrill. . . Yes, we are indeed telling you it's foolishly impossible to make something like that. Re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion
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Einstein 9:15AM (3/25/2007)
DrillTheWill hint for you, change the law of physics hasn't happened yet.
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Steven T. 12:40PM (3/25/2007)
At least judging from the pictures, the styling strikes me as decent. Nothing award winning, but a big step above the kit car look. The goal of making a "timeless" design certainly makes sense given the likely low volume.
That said, sports cars are relatively easy to design. Tesla's great challenge will be it it tries to enter the sedan market. If the design is too conventional then Tesla could lose its shirt really quickly.
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