Didn’t have enough time to count 10 million pennies before the original Tesla Roadster went out of production? Well you’re in luck, because there’ll be a successor. Space cadet and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Elon Musk, confirmed to Autocar that a new Roadster would return in 2014. Unlike its Lotus-based predecessor, the redux will apparently be based on Tesla’s third-generation platform, which the automag muses will likely be built on a”shortened version of … the Model S.” Musk also noted that the platform will be more “mass-market,” giving rise to more pedestrian cars “like BMW’s 3 Series” — his words, not ours. With the Model S sedan on its way, and the Model X after that, the company certainly has its work cut out for it. But, if either are as delightful as prior Teslas, that’ll be reason to cheer.
Telsa Roadster to return in 2014, 3-Series fighter in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BBC’s Top Gear (it’s like The Engadget Show, but for cars) did not libel Tesla Motors when it reviewed the Tesla Roadster way back in 2008. Jeremy Clarkson’s review showed the super-EV conking out after 55 miles of driving (a quarter of its expected range), suffering brake failures and an engine overheat that Elon Musk’s company flatly denies ever happening. In the High Court, however, Mr Justice Tugendhat said that people could tell the difference between Clarkson’s torturous, heavy-footed “powerrrrrrrrr” driving that goes on at Dunsfold Aerodrome, and the staid manner in which people drive on motorways. Tesla still maintains that the review has damaged its image, which is why it’s also pursuing a claim for malicious falsehood, yet to be decided — and on that bombshell, here’s the original, legally non-libelous review for your enjoyment… goodnight!
Continue reading English Court: Top Gear didn’t libel Tesla
English Court: Top Gear didn’t libel Tesla originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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That non-standard charge port on your Tesla Roadster isn’t proprietary, it’s just outmoded — but don’t worry, a four foot adapter is here to save the day. This new J1772 to Roadster connector bridges the Roadster’s 2008 designed charge port to the industry standard J1772, adopted by automakers and energy firms over a full year after the Roadster’s debut. The new coupling cable will juice up your wheels in just four hours at EV stations outputting 70 amps, or in seven and a half hours for the average 32 amp level 2 charger. Native plug access to those thousands of ChargePoint stations will set you back 0, but if you’ve already bought a Tesla Roadster, that’s just another drop in the (0,000) bucket.
Tesla J1772 mobile connector standardizes Roadster, costs 0 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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I can see it now. Instead of putzing around in electric golf carts, retirees will soon be cruising in Tesla Roadsters. The car is essentially a gigantic and dramatically more powerful golf cart anyway. It’s not like they need to worry about the 244 mile range. The bingo hall and golf course is probably right around the corner from their retirement compound anyway.
The South Florida Dania Beach dealership opens today and will be offering test drives through the weekend. And anytime someone walks in with $100k in available credit.
This will make Tesla’s tenth dealership in the States and the only one in the South. It’s also the home of the region’s only Tesla mobile service team that actually goes to the Tesla owner’s home or business for maintenance calls.
Plus, should seniors need a place to shelter funds, they should be reminded that some cars have proven to be a more secure investment than Wall Street. Trust me, you would rather inherit a Tesla Roadster than mutual funds anyway.
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 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 hugged the road like it was glued there.
Thanks Tesla. Sorry about that scratch in the bumper.
Video is below:
CNET Car Tech spends time with the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport.
Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
