Tree-hugging Tesla roadster sells out

Newswheel staff :: 09 September 2006 :: Filed under Mid / rear engine sportscar, Tesla, US

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First 100 spoken for

Americans seriously dig the save-the-enviro Toyota Prius, despite pretty pedestrian performance and styling apparently executed by a shovel-wielding zombie. So, it’s no surprise to learn that the first batch of 100 Tesla roadsters has sold out Stateside. After all, if you fancy some serious grunt with your greens, the Elise-based, battery powered Tesla looks like a winner…


Gubernator on board: Arnie is reportedly among the first 100 Tesla customers (click images for the bigger picture)

For the uninitiated, the Tesla is incredibly impressive on paper. The basic tech spec involves a lithium-ion battery pack containing no less than 6,831 cells which powers a three-phase, four-pole AC induction motor capable of cranking out 248bhp and 180lb/ft. Power is delivered via a two-speed manual transmission.

Add in carbon-fibre bodywork that contributes to an impressive 1,050kg kerb weight (considering the massive battery pack) and a regenerative braking system which tops up the Lithium-ion cells during stop start motoring and you have a recipe for next-gen motoring nirvana: a 250 mile range and serious sports car performance. The zero-to-60mph sprint is despatched in just four seconds, 100mph comes up in around 11 clicks and the Tesla isn’t done until 130mph. And all in near-total silence, of course. As for creature comforts,  A/C, a sat-nav system, and leather and carbon fiber heated seats are all standard, as is a boot big enough for the all-important (for the US market) set of golf clubs.

 

If it all sounds too good to be true, well, the touring range statistic is apparently based on the standard US EPA highway driving cycle. What’s more, much of the technology underpinning the car is off-the-shelf, including the extruded, bonded aluminium chassis, which is based on (but not identical to) that of the Lotus Elise. Indeed, Lotus has won the contract to assemble the Tesla at its Hethel facility (production is apparently already under way).

 

Of course, until the car’s performance has been independently tested, suffice to say healthy scepticism is the order of the day. It’s also worth noting that the car needs at best three and a half hours for a full charge using a proprietary garage-mounted charging rig. It can also be connected to regular mains electricity using a mobile kit, but much more slowly. Far better than previous EV the Tesla may well be, but long distance touring remains off the menu.

Initially for the American market only, the Tesla is expected to roll out in summer 07’ for the piffling price of $100,000. Having sold out the first 100 units, Tesla is now taking “reservations” on the next 100 cars.

Oh, and if you’re interested in exactly how the Tesla is related to the Lotus Elise here are the facts from the horses mouth (specifically from the allegedly-equine CEO of Telsa, Martin Eberhard):

Chassis:

1. Tesla re-engineered the main chassis rail extrusions, making them stronger and thereby allowing us to lower the doorsill height by 2 inches, drastically improving ingress/egress. (Elon and I are both more than 6’ tall, so improving ingress was a requirement!)
2. At the same time we changed the way the chassis rails bend just behind the seats. Lotus simply bends the rails. Tesla instead miter-cuts the rail, then bonds them together at the exact correct angle with a custom bracket. This solution works with the new extrusions to lower the sills, and reduces manufacturing complexity.
3. We eliminated the box section that surrounds the gas tank on the Elise. The Tesla Roadster achieves equivalent (actually slightly higher) stiffness with the structural box that encloses the battery pack
4. We designed a unique rear sub-frame, to accommodate a battery pack and electric drivetrain rather than a gas tank, engine, and exhaust system
5. We lengthened the Tesla Roadster’s wheelbase by 2 inches – rearward of the seats, giving us a tad more room for the battery pack, shifting the weight forward to keep the distribution reasonable, reducing ride choppiness, and giving the car a little more sophisticated look
6. We beefed up the composite crash structure at the front (one of Lotus’s clever innovations) to accommodate the higher weight of the Tesla Roadster
7. The suspension geometry is identical to that of the Lotus, though we strengthened many components, again to accommodate the increased weight
8. We use larger brakes – both front and rear

Interior:

1. We completely redesigned the seats, widening them by several inches, replacing Lotus’s fiberglass with carbon fiber, upgrading the padding material to the finest space-age foam available, and re-styling the looks
2. We designed our own beautiful, exposed carbon-fiber console that (can you believe it?) includes a cup holder
3. We included a custom, color LCD display for all kinds of interesting information about the power train, the battery system, etc.
4. We included a superior Blaupunkt radio with iPod connector and with optional satellite radio and satellite navigation system
5. We carpeted the floor to reduce noise and heat transfer from the road (floor mats are also available)
6. We designed our own doors with electrically-activated latch (giving it that “shaved” look – no visible door latch), leather-trimmed door panels, controls for the power windows, central locking, and electric trunk release
7. As mentioned above, we lowered the doorsill by 2 inches to accommodate both taller and shorter people (and people wearing skirts and heels…)