2010 Tesla Roadster and Roadster Sport

Tesla started building electric sports cars a while back primarily before anyone else tried to mainstream such an idea. They have come a long way since then and have ended up with a somewhat impressive product now. Nothing says efficiency like charging your car off of your houses’ solar panels – which is now rapidly becoming the new trend.

The California based auto maker produces the Tesla Roadster in 2 flavors – the base model and the sport model. So lets cut to the chase about the performance specifications of these 2 models as I know that is what everyone is most concerned about when it comes to electric cars. Starting with the base model, it puts out 288 HP at 5000-6000 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 0-5400 rpm with a red line of 14000 RPM. This impressively accelerates the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 125 mph. Adversely, as you would expect, the sport model tops these numbers slightly putting out 288 HP at 4400-6000 rpm (the power band is a little broader on the sport edition) and 295 lb-ft of torque at 0-5100 rpm also with red line of 14000 RPM. This accelerates the Tesla sport from 0 to 60 mph in a staggering 3.7 seconds! The limited top speed is still 125mph though.

Both models share some similarities such as the electric motor used in both is an air cooled 375 volt AC induction motor with variable frequency drive, the drive train is a single speed fixed gear that has a parking lock mechanism and mechanical lubrication pump which are both electronically actuated. Tesla reports a top driving range of 244 miles although there are new reports surfacing of owners getting a remarkable 300+ miles. Full charge time on the processor controlled lithium ion battery using Tesla’s special battery home connector plug is 3.5hours on 240 Volts and 70 Amps. Battery life is estimated to be 7 years or 100,000 miles. The mileage efficiency of this car is credited to it only tipping the scales at 2723lbs.

Some other features that set the Roadster Sport apart from the base model is that it includes a custom tuned, adjustable dampening suspension package for the discerning enthusiast and Sport badging decorates the car. The motors’ stator is hand wound to increase density and reduce resistance to create a higher peak torque. Also included are anti roll bars in the event that you’d like to track your car and dark finished light Tesla forged alloys wrapped in Yokohama A048 Ultra High Performance rubber while the base model sits on the regular  colored forged light alloy 16×6 fronts and 17×7.5 rears lined with Yokohama Neova AD07 LTS  175/55 R16 fronts and 225/45 R17 rears.

Interior Features Worth Noting

Interestingly enough, the Tesla Roadster utilizes a sporty leather wrapped 3 spoke MOMO steering wheel and the interior contains a Homelink universal transmitter used to operate compatible garage doors and gates eliminating your need to carry your clicker with you wherever you go. The stereo system is also iPod friendly with an iPod interface and MP3 playback. A unique feature is that Tesla can provide you with a PIN (Personal Identification Number) that can be used to have access to the Roadster via the touchscreen.

Exterior Details

One thing that does bother me in today’s age is the fact that Tesla did not equip their cars with bi-xenon  projector lens headlamps. It almost seems to be a standard with other vehicles in the same price range and should be with the Roadsters as well. In lieu of that they used the regular parabolic halogen lenses. The battery comes equipped with a heater that can handle -20 degree Celsius conditions and bright LED tail lights complete the rear end elegantly. Up sell options offered include a carbon fiber body trim package, premium leather seats in 9 colors with embroidered Tesla logos, interior carbon fiber trim accents, carbon fiber hard top and a premium audio package that includes Sirius satellite radio and a navigation unit.

Price wise you can look at spending $101,500 USD on the base model and $121,000 USD on the Sport model.

Photos by Tesla