Last week Tesla asked me if I’d like to take the new Tesla Roadster Sport for a day to see what I thought. This is the newer Tesla Roadster that shaves 2/10 of a second off the 0-60 time, and the car is a couple of inches bigger than the original (making it possible for me to fit my 6’4 frame into it comfortably).
I agreed immediately. The only rules were that only I could drive it (some nonsense about insurance), and I had to have it back by 6 pm. I did return the vehicle on time, but as you can see from the video just about everyone from the office and most of my friends came by to take it for a spin, too.
I’ve been in a Tesla before but this is the first time I’ve driven one. With no gears and a silent motor, the experience is like driving a golf cart. At least it would be if golf carts could hit 100 mph on the freeway on-ramp and hug the road like it was glued there.
Thanks Tesla. Sorry about that scratch in the bumper.
Video care of Animoto. Which rocks.
| Specifications |  |
| Model: | 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport |
| Vehicle Style: | 2-seat, open-top, rear-drive sports car |
| Price: | Base Price: $121,000 (car we drove: $155,850) |
| Motor: | 375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor with variable frequency drive |
| Power: | 288 HP (215kW) @ 4,400-5,800 rpm |
| Torque: | 295 ft/lb (400 Nm) @ 0-5,100 rpm |
| Transmission: | Single speed fixed gear with electrically-actuated parking lock mechanism and mechanical lubrication pump |
| Suspension: | Four-wheel independent. Upper and lower unequal length wishbones. Co-axial coil spring/adjustable telescopic damper. Adjustable sway bar. |
| Brakes: | Hydraulically operated. Tandem master cylinder with vacuum servo and anti-lock braking system. Front and rear ventilated disc. Cable operated self adjusting hand brake on rear calipers. |
| Performance: | 0-60: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 125 mph (electronically limited) |
| Dimensions: | Wheelbase: 92.6 inches Length: 155.4 inches Width: 72.9 inches Height: 44.35 inches Weight: 2723 pounds |
| Battery: | Custom microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery with 6,831 individual cells |
| Battery Consumption: | 29 kW-hr/100 mi city; 32 kW-hr/100 mi highway |
| Expected Battery Life: | Seven years or 100,000 miles |
| Range: | 244 miles |