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Updated: Full steam ahead at Tesla

Updated: Full steam ahead at Tesla

Ralph Hanson September 26th, 2007 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author September 26th, 2007
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December 31st, 1969 Tesla has announced that its upcoming Roadster recorded 255 miles on a single charge in a recent EPA City test cycle. It hit 235m on the highway portion of the test, giving it an EPA combined rating of 245m. Despite several setbacks earlier in the year, including the resignation of its founder and CEO Martin Eberhard back in August, development of the Tesla Roadster is still on track and production is set to ramp up at the start of next year. Tesla has announced that it will build 50 vehicles in the first quarter of next year and another 600 units for the remainder of the year. Engineers are currently working on durability and validation testing for its final prototypes and have driven one car over 245 miles on a single charge for the combined EPA cycle. Other aspects engineers are focusing on include the brakes and suspension settings, cooling for the electric motor, the two-speed electrically-actuated-manual-shift transmission and a new battery system. The expected driving range for the new roadster has been downgraded to around 200 miles from the originally claimed 250 miles. However, engineers are working diligently to reach the original target and appear to have been successful as initial testing has shown. Top speed for the car has been tested at 130mph and acceleration times for the 0-60mph is claimed to be less than four seconds.
Updated: Full steam ahead at Tesla

Updated: Full steam ahead at Tesla

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Tesla has announced that its upcoming Roadster recorded 255 miles on a single charge in a recent EPA City test cycle. It hit 235m on the highway portion of the test, giving it an EPA combined rating of 245m.

Despite several setbacks earlier in the year, including the resignation of its founder and CEO Martin Eberhard back in August, development of the Tesla Roadster is still on track and production is set to ramp up at the start of next year. Tesla has announced that it will build 50 vehicles in the first quarter of next year and another 600 units for the remainder of the year.

Engineers are currently working on durability and validation testing for its final prototypes and have driven one car over 245 miles on a single charge for the combined EPA cycle. Other aspects engineers are focusing on include the brakes and suspension settings, cooling for the electric motor, the two-speed electrically-actuated-manual-shift transmission and a new battery system.

The expected driving range for the new roadster has been downgraded to around 200 miles from the originally claimed 250 miles. However, engineers are working diligently to reach the original target and appear to have been successful as initial testing has shown. Top speed for the car has been tested at 130mph and acceleration times for the 0-60mph is claimed to be less than four seconds.

Tags: Roadsters

Posted in: News, Hybrid


Comments (6 total)

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  1. By Gus #1, Posted: 9/25/2007

    Very cool toy.
    But until it can be charged as quickly as a normal car can be refueled, it will always remain a toy.
    Doesn't mean I wouldn't want one as a second car... :)

  2. By Ronny B. #2, Posted: 9/25/2007

    A toy? I can't remember the last time I drove more than 250 miles in on day. The idea of never having to visit a gas station again plus the fact that it ends up costing just 1 or 2 cents per mile in electricity! A toy? You're joking.

  3. By biturbo #3, Posted: 9/25/2007

    The only problem I see is price. But even that is OK for such a revolutionary car.

    More power to Tesla!

  4. By Gus #4, Posted: 9/25/2007

    I'm not joking.
    Try taking one on a trip sometime, just make sure you have an extension cord and that no one trips on it walking your motel room...

  5. By Craig S #5, Posted: 10/3/2007

    I also think this is a fun (toy) car. I'd never buy a car I can't do a weekend road trip in. I live in the Boston area and we often head upto Maine in the summer. 200 miles range would be cutting it close, who wants to always have to worry about when you're going to need to push your Tesla to the nearest power outlet.

    In practical terms, this car will sell well as something unique. It will be bought by people with a lot of money who like expensive toys that might not neccessary worry about practical application.

    Personally, I'll pass and by myself a Boxster ;-)

  6. By Ivan #6, Posted: 1/24/2008

    200 miles is very impressive. GM electrical car could do only 40-50miles on single charge
    and all those were sold out. I had no idea battery tech evolved so much in past few years.

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