Tesla Roadster nears production

Updated: Tesla has announced that the final production version of its forthcoming Roadster will have a driving range of 200 miles instead of the original 250 mile range previously claimed. The company made the announcement in a letter that was sent to the 380-odd customers that have already pre-ordered the Roadster. The smaller range is due to the extra weight that’s been added to the car since the earlier claim was made.

Previous: Tesla Motors is nearing the final phase of development for its groundbreaking new Roadster. Several second-generation prototypes were displayed recently at a press presentation in California, and the next step will see ten more prototypes constructed in the UK by Lotus that will include the final specifications for the car. These vehicles will then undergo final testing before production starts in the following months.

The only major between these latest prototypes and earlier versions is the addition of Tesla’s latest series of lithium-ion batteries. In the Roadster, the batteries alone will weigh up to 900 pounds and the car’s kerb weight is expected to total 2600 pounds, 600 pounds more than the Lotus Elise on which it shares some of its internals. With an estimated 248hp (185kW) on tap, the new Roadster is claimed to accelerate to 60mph from in rest in around 4 seconds

In preparation for the new model, Tesla has expanded its operations in the US and is now in the process of promoting the vehicle in key cities including Chicago, LA, New York and San Francisco. But if you’re interested in purchasing one, you might have to wait for a while. Tesla has already pre-sold 375 Roadsters at $92,000 a piece, and the first deliveries won’t start until the middle of the year.

Soon, focus will shift to Tesla’s upcoming sedan model, codenamed WhiteStar. The vehicle, which is rumoured to be similar in size to BMW’s 3-series could be produced at a new plant in New Mexico but it’s still some years away.