Euro-spec Tesla Roadster to get 300HP powerplant

Posted Wed Apr 30 2008 11:44 PM by James Martinez

Tesla has confirmed its all-electric Roadster will go on sale in Europe next year and a Norwegian dealer is already taking pre-orders for the car. While the first batch of ‘P1’ U.S. delivered models will feature an interim two-speed transmission that limits acceleration to a disappointing 5.7 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint, by the time of the car’s European launch Tesla will have already upgraded to a new one-speed unit that promises cancelation times of four seconds for the same benchmark.

According to the dealer specs, the new car will sport a 300+hp electric motor with the same 13,000rpm redline of the P1 models. The first U.S. models will develop a peak output of just 248hp but if you have already placed a deposit for one of the U.S. delivered models there’s no need to be disappointed as Tesla will be offering a free upgrade to owners of the P1 cars when the new powertrain becomes available later this year.

Pricing for the Roadster in Europe is expected to start at €100,000 ($156,000), while in the U.S. it sells for just under $100,000. Tesla has already racked up 1,000 firm orders for its electric roadster but with production limited to just 250 units per month there will be significant delays for the car unless capacity is increased.

Tesla Roadster

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Reader Comments

Thu May 1 2008 8:40 AM
DaveDav says

so Europe get screwed over for like 75% more than the US niiiiiiiiice
Thu May 1 2008 2:43 PM
chris says

yeah but they're used to paying this kind of money for this kind of car. kinda brilliant actually. the company is going to profit huge off this car if they can sell them... and then maybe the next gen tesla can be a 4 speed car with a 150 hp engine or something... that would result in a more "fun to drive" car... get the drive more involved..

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