Filed under: Convertibles, Hybrids/Alternative, Green
Tesla Roadster Sport packs a little more punch for a lot more coin
With 150 Roadsters delivered to customers and another 1,100 people on the waiting list, Tesla decided now's the time to release a more performance-oriented version its Elise-based EV. The Tesla Roadster Sport features a hand-wound stator that increases winding density to help eliminate resistance while increasing peak torque. In conjunction with a set of Yokohama Ultra High Performance tires (likely the same Advan A048s fitted to the Elise/Exige), Tesla claims a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds – 0.2-seconds faster than the standard Roadster. The Roadster Sport also benefits from a few other Lotus-derived components, including adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that can be tweaked to suit the driver's tastes.
Deliveries of the Roadster Sport will begin in late June, with a starting price of $128,500 in the US and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Customers on the waiting list for their "base" Roadster have the option to upgrade to the Sport model, but if you're looking for more stick, a nice set of Ohlins, some aftermarket sway bars and a new set of tires could be had for considerably less than the $28,000 premium of the Sport model.
Gallery: Jason Calacanis' Tesla Roadster
PRESS RELEASE
SAN CARLOS, Calif.--Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world's leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.
The Roadster Sport does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama's Ultra High Performance tires, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver's preference.
The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.
"This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans," said Michael van der Sande, Tesla's senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. "If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option."
The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla's proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emission Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.
Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven't taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
"The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla's spirit of continuous improvement," said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EskimoPie 12:59PM (1/11/2009)
I'll take two!
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firstplace 1:13PM (1/11/2009)
Only makes sense if you plan to only drive it around home. Dont think motels take kindly to chargeups via a powercord out the door. I still applaud them for making a fun EV. Good for them.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:27PM (1/11/2009)
I'm not overly impressed.
A $125K car is even more esoteric than a $100K one.
Where is the EV that's really going to make a dent in the ICE in the marketplace? Tesla is moving even further away from it now.
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Red 3:17PM (1/11/2009)
That doesn't come until Dec. 2009.
:-)
rimmie 1:31PM (1/11/2009)
Let's hope they allow the wait list customers to upgrade their orders if so desired. That would really tick me off is a company release something better while I was locked in to buy the "not as good" model.
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CarbonBlack 3:54AM (1/13/2009)
ReRead post. :-)
"Customers on the waiting list for their "base" Roadster have the option to upgrade to the Sport model......."
I do agree with your comment. It would suck to not be able to upgrade!
joystick 1:53PM (1/11/2009)
tesla shud merge with cryslur...one cant make cars, the other cant make money...together they will surely revive the economy with a great new bubble
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happy_penguin 1:55PM (1/11/2009)
I thought the whole idea of the Tesla is that it *is* a "sport" model. :confused:
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Tesla Ch. 11 2:15PM (1/11/2009)
interesting that they'd now issue this vehicle. I wonder if it's to get those on the waiting list to switch over to this vehicle to keep them interested and to get a little more money out of those on the wait list. Watch for Tesla to offer this upgrade package to those already with the car.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:43PM (1/11/2009)
Yeah, especially since they already have a lot of customers with 1.5 drivetrains they are going to give a free upgrade to. When they come in, they'll say "while we have your car, why don't we upgrade it for $22k?"
From a business perspective, it's pretty smart. They already have a bunch of customers for whom money is apparently no object. So why not see if you can get another $25K from them?
It's a boutique business model. And it's not a bad one. But how do they crossover to sell to the public, for whom money matters enough that they need to worry about price and practicality?
tankd0g 2:25PM (1/11/2009)
So they made it slightly better for drag racing. It still doesn't have the range to be used on a track day. Maybe they should concentrate on filling the orders of the people that have had deposits down for years instead of blowing money on new features for future customers. This looks like a big money grab to me. That stator better be wound in gold for an extra $25k.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:46PM (1/11/2009)
Now you're being unfair. Half that money is for the roll bars (which must be made of diamond).
tankd0g 2:53PM (1/11/2009)
I forgot the "base" model doesn't come with a roll bar. Maybe all that extra mass close the the ground means it -can't- flip over :)
AC0 2:45PM (1/11/2009)
Hah, that will make their first round of customers oh-so-happy... priorities Tesla, priorities. The notion that there needs to be a 'Sport' version of the roadster is silly in the first place; it's not like the first one was a GT cruiser.
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nardvark 3:10PM (1/11/2009)
As someone who has wound coils by hand, all I can say is, I pity the fool who works for Tesla...
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nardvark 3:14PM (1/11/2009)
As someone who has wound coils by hand, all I can say is, I pity the fool who works for Tesla...
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Gary Blomquist 10:34PM (1/11/2009)
The Tesla is the rich and famous' outward expression of global environmental concern; as they park it next to their Cadillac Escalade, Jag, AMG.......etc....
We live in a neighborhood where there are homes just walking distance from us that are priced over $1 million +. You find Priiuses and hybrid Suv's parked at just about every other house.
Something is upside down here folks!
I don't want to buy an economical car to make a "statement" about my environmental beliefs, nor work off penance because I have a few more bucks that the average American and can burn more gas per day/week/month/year.
I just want a fuel efficient vehicle, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and has 4 doors, and can carry some luggage in a trunk, and isn't a slug when it's time to pass a slower vehicle.
I live here in Silicon Valley, CA., the land of Bimmers, Jags, Lexus's, Infinities, etc..... alll running down the fast lane of the our freeways well over the posted speed limits.
Along with those folks are these hybrids booming by in the commuter/diamond lanes at 70+ Mph's too.
Just wonder what these hybrids do at those sustained high speeds.
Anyway..............we need a "people's car"..........I'm no socialist or commie..........but we need a car that isn't priced for the upper middle class or above to enjoy and work-off their guilt.
I find that the only company that doesn't ream us on a hybrid is Honda with their Civic Hybrid. I hope they don't go the upscale, options galore route that Toyota did with the Prius. Try and find a basic Prius folks......in a Toyota lot. Then look at carfax.com and notice that a Honda Civic Hybrid doesn't have a list of options over and above a basic model, but gives you a mainstream priced model, not with leather, but cloth, A.C. and the basics to commute or just get from A to B, without being cranky; and it's not priced in the high $20's.
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AppleBowl 6:03AM (2/02/2009)
Hey, 112k€ equals 151k$, Europe is getting ripped off as always. Anybody knows why??
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