dOmInIX

The upcoming Tesla Roadster looks pretty damn cool. It's based on an Elise chassis and uses many Lotus components.

It will use lithium-ion batteries, allowing for roughly 400km per charge, which is remarkable for an electric vehicle. A specially-developed motor produces 250hp (roughly 190kw) at 13,500rpm, and masses of torque from zero rpm. This results in a 0-60 time of 4 seconds flat. Top speed will be around 210km/h.

The best part, of course, is not paying for gas - The emissions will vary from location to location, based on where your power comes from, but even if it comes from gas or coal power plants it is above and beyond the efficiency of a standard car, let alone one in its performance range.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

*Nikola Tesla was Croatian/Serbian scientist, one of the smartest people of his time, he was called 'the man ahead of his time'!

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Alfie

Looks quite good and reminds me of the Honda S2000.

Should be intersting to hear more about this car.

Michael

This is very interesting. Does it come to the US? Never heard of this company.

dOmInIX

Yes, it does! Check their web-site! They are new company, this is their 1st car, that's why they're not famous! The car looks pretty nice, it's built on the Lotus Elise base and powered by electricity!

Snake Vargas

Interesting car. I'm glad people are developing this technology further. I hope they find a way to do something about old batteries, too.

Anyhow, it's encouraging to see that, even with electric cars, people will find ways to push the performance envelope. I'm almost resigned to electric power being the way of the future, but it doesn't mean I have to drive a vacuum cleaner.

On another note, will this be a pointer to what Lotus' possible Esprit replacement could look like? Because it's not bad, though a bit Ferrari 550-ish in the front. Also, Toyota had a concept car named the Tesla, I believe.

Centurion

Isn't it a bit of an oxymoron to buy an non-versatile 100k+ electricity powered car in belief of saving money from using electricity instead of petrol?

Choleric

This car is really interesting... They have Lotus as a development partner and you can see some similarities in the car.






Engine
Type: 3-Phase, 4-Pole Electric Motor
Displacement cu in (cc): n.a.
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 248(185) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: n.a.
Redline at RPM: 13500

Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 175/55 R16 - 225/45 R17
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 155.4 × 73.7 × 44.4
Weight lb (kg): 2500 (1135)

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s: ~ 4.0
Top Speed mph (km/h): 130 (210)
Fuel Economy EPA combined mpg: 135

Silicon Valley's Sleek, Clean and Fast Performance Electric Vehicle

The first performance electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster, was unveiled in 2006 before a throng of well-wishers, car buffs, and potential customers during Tesla Motors's "Signature One Hundred" event at Barker Hangar.

More than 350 invited guests spent the evening learning about the new sports car, speaking with Tesla Motors executives, and going for rides along the tarmac at the Santa Monica Airport. Many signed up to be among the first to receive a special edition Tesla Roadster, becoming Signature One Hundred Members.

Celebrities in attendance included actor Ed Begley Jr., producer Richard Donner, businessman Michael Eisner, PayPal co-founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame, and producer and car collector Joel Silver. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by prior to the evening's activities to learn more about Tesla Motors and took a ride in the Tesla Roadster.

"We're thrilled to have the support of top people from so many different industries," said Martin Eberhard, CEO of Tesla Motors. "High-tech, CleanTech, entertainment, automotive, you name it. It's gratifying to have others realize the significance or what Tesla Motors is doing."

The electric-powered Tesla Roadster boasts the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System. The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.

"The Tesla Roadster delivers sports car performance without using any gasoline," said Eberhard. "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company three years ago, to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."

Using a unique two-speed electrically actuated manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor. The motor is controlled by the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which also controls the inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, charging and braking systems.

The Roadster's Energy Storage System (ESS) provides power to the entire vehicle, including the motor. Its durable, tamper-resistant enclosure includes: 6,831 lithium-ion cells, a network of microprocessors for maintaining charge balance and battery temperature, a cooling system, and an independent safety system designed to disconnect power outside the enclosure under a variety of detectable safety situations.

The Tesla Roadster comes complete with its Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), a home-based charging system, which features an automatic safety disconnect system and can charge the Tesla Roadster in approximately 3.5 hours. An optional mobile charging kit is also available.

The body design of the Tesla Roadster, which included a collaborative effort by the company's employees, was led by Barney Hatt, Principal Designer at the Lotus Design Studio in England. The result is a sleek, stylish sports car that will appeal to enthusiasts and environmentalists the world over.

Research and Development for Tesla Motors is located at the corporate headquarters in San Carlos, California and in the UK. Motors are manufactured at Tesla's facility in Taiwan, and final assembly for the Tesla Roadster is in the UK.

Deliveries of the Tesla Roadster are expected to begin in 2007.

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