Tesla Motors EV roadster has been unveiled!
Tesla Motors EV roadster has been unveiled!
The wait is over. Tesla Motors’ web-site has officially pulled the cover from the heavily hyped luxurious roadster powered by an AC motor.
The vehicle, which is capable to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 4 seconds and to travel 250 miles per charge at a cost of just 1 cent per mile is now open to your eyes.
Tesla Motors EV roadster
As one could have expected, the site went dead exactly at the long-awaited moment of its glory. And it took me terrific effort, determination and about 45 minutes to wait till the teslamotors.com would rise from digital hell.
From the visual point, the car looks much like some Lotus Elise and that’s no wonder, since Tesla’s chief designer works for the British car manufacturer and there is a good chance that the car itself will be produced by Lotus.
The Tesla Roadster EV is available for purchase soon in Northern & Southern California (Summer 2007), Chicago (Fall 2007), New York and Miami (Late 2007).
Tesla Motors EV roadster (rear view)
Tesla Roadster EV technical specification
| Style | 2-seat, open-top, rear-drive roadster |
| Drivetrain | Electric motor with 2-speed electric-shift manual transmission with integral differential |
| Motor | 3-phase, 4-pole electric motor, 248hp peak (185kW), redline 13,500 rpm, regenerative “engine braking” |
| Chassis | Bonded extruded aluminum with 4-wheel wishbone suspension |
| Brakes | 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS |
| Acceleration | 0 to 60 in about 4 seconds |
| Top Speed | Over 130 mph |
| Range | 250 miles EPA highway |
| Battery Life | Useful battery life in excess of 100,000 miles |
| Energy Storage System | Custom microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery pack |
| Full Charge | As short as 3.5 hours |
Photos: Tesla Motors
See also: ZEV Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept