Silicon Valley's Sleek, Clean and Fast Performance Electric Vehicle
The first performance electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster, was unveiled in 2006 before a throng of well-wishers, car buffs, and potential customers during Tesla Motors's "Signature One Hundred" event at Barker Hangar.More than 350 invited guests spent the evening learning about the new sports car, speaking with Tesla Motors executives, and going for rides along the tarmac at the Santa Monica Airport. Many signed up to be among the first to receive a special edition Tesla Roadster, becoming Signature One Hundred Members.
Celebrities in attendance included actor Ed Begley Jr., producer Richard Donner, businessman Michael Eisner, PayPal co-founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame, and producer and car collector Joel Silver. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by prior to the evening's activities to learn more about Tesla Motors and took a ride in the Tesla Roadster.
"We're thrilled to have the support of top people from so many different industries," said Martin Eberhard, CEO of Tesla Motors. "High-tech, CleanTech, entertainment, automotive, you name it. It's gratifying to have others realize the significance or what Tesla Motors is doing."
The electric-powered Tesla Roadster boasts the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System. The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.
"The Tesla Roadster delivers sports car performance without using any gasoline," said Eberhard. "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company three years ago, to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."
Using a unique two-speed electrically actuated manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor. The motor is controlled by the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which also controls the inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, charging and braking systems.
The Roadster's Energy Storage System (ESS) provides power to the entire vehicle, including the motor. Its durable, tamper-resistant enclosure includes: 6,831 lithium-ion cells, a network of microprocessors for maintaining charge balance and battery temperature, a cooling system, and an independent safety system designed to disconnect power outside the enclosure under a variety of detectable safety situations.
The Tesla Roadster comes complete with its Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), a home-based charging system, which features an automatic safety disconnect system and can charge the Tesla Roadster in approximately 3.5 hours. An optional mobile charging kit is also available.
The body design of the Tesla Roadster, which included a collaborative effort by the company's employees, was led by Barney Hatt, Principal Designer at the Lotus Design Studio in England. The result is a sleek, stylish sports car that will appeal to enthusiasts and environmentalists the world over.
Research and Development for Tesla Motors is located at the corporate headquarters in San Carlos, California and in the UK. Motors are manufactured at Tesla's facility in Taiwan, and final assembly for the Tesla Roadster is in the UK.
Deliveries of the Tesla Roadster are expected to begin in 2007.
Specifications
| Brakes & Tires | |
| Brakes F/R: | ABS, vented disc/vented disc |
| Driveline: | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Tires F-R: | 175/55 R16 - 225/45 R17 |
| Engine | |
| Displacement cu in (cc): | n.a. |
| Power bhp (kW) at RPM: | 248(185) / n.a. |
| Redline at RPM: | 13500 |
| Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: | n.a. |
| Type: | 3-Phase, 4-Pole Electric Motor |
| Exterior Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length × Width × Height in: | 155.4 × 73.7 × 44.4 |
| Weight lb (kg): | 2500 (1135) |
| Performance | |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph s: | ~ 4.0 |
| Fuel Economy EPA combined mpg: | 135 |
| Top Speed mph (km/h): | 130 (210) |
Base Price: 2007 Tesla Roadster - Approx. $86,000
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