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Elon Musk teases Tesla Roadster update

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A holiday present is coming for Tesla enthusiasts, according to a Tweet from Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. Like all good presents, we don't know what it'll be, though. Musk only said that details for an improved Roadster electric vehicle will be announced later this week. Ever the master of suspense, Musk would not provide further detail. He only said that a number of "crisis issues ... pushed this out longer than expected." Whatever it is, make mine red, Santa.

Earlier this year at Tesla's annual shareholder meeting, Musk said the automaker would do "something cool" with the Roadster before the end of the year, though, again, he wasn't specific. In the summer, Musk told the UK's Auto Express that the Roadster would get an upgraded battery that would give the convertible a 400-mile single-charge range. That would make the convertible's range about 135 miles longer than the top-of-the-line Tesla Model S sedan.

While a new Roadster has been talked about, this update is for the first-go-round model, which was sold in the US between 2008 and 2011 and had a single-charge range of 245 miles. Whether the longer range is the only news or if there's something else in store (all-wheel drive? more horsepower?), we'll all have to wait just a little bit longer to see.

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