Tesla Motors Offers Higher-Performance Version of Roadster for an Extra $19,500
Tesla Motors began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport (pictured), a high-performance sports car based on the all-electric, plug-in zero-emissions Roadster.
The Roadster Sport can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster, the automaker said. The Roadster Sport comes with a hand-wound stator -- the stationary part of an electric motor, the non-stationary part being the rotor -- that increases winding density to help eliminate resistance while increasing 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, or $19,500 more than the $109,000 base price of a standard Roadster. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late June.
Maybe it's just us, but $19,500 ($20,000+ with tax) seems like a lot of money to spend on a slight improvement in quickness and handling. With $20,000 a person could feed 200 hungry children for 12.5 years, according Feed the Children.
The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla's proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, California-based Tesla plans to begin producing the less-expensive, all-electric, zero-emissions Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.
Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers since production began early last year, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven't taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
- Posted by
- Scott Doggett January 12, 2009, 10:29 AM
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- Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Plug-ins and Electric, Tesla
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- Plug-In Electric Vehicle, Roadster Sport, Tesla Motors, Zero Emissions
Yes, the Tesla needs to be less practical.