Plagued recently by a highly publicized difficulty in manufacturing a reliable two-speed transmission - required to optimize the car's acceleration - the first-generation Roadsters will go to production with a one-speed transmission that slows acceleration from the originally planned four seconds to a more leisurely - but still swift - 5.7 seconds.
Along with slightly slower acceleration, the one-speed transmission will offer greatly increased durability. The first production run of cars so equipped - dubbed 'P1' by Tesla - will be eligible for a free upgrade to the proper transmission once the company has worked out the kinks and brings it to production. No time frame has yet been established for that, however.