Tesla Roadster News
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When it first appeared in Detroit back in January the Bluesport concept stirred talk of the revival of the roadster segment, and especially the Porsche 914 and 356. Unfortunately, the Porsche's rebirth was ruled out last month, and this had led to fears that the same fate may ensue for a planned production version of the Bluesport concept. The original bad news came from VW's communications manager Christian Haacke at the launch of the new 2010 Polo. "The state we are at right now regarding Concept Bluesport is we are carefully calculating how to earn money with a niche car,' said Haacke. "It...
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Right-hand-drive Tesla Roadster coming next year
Just a few weeks ago Tesla got a new lease on life with a $465 million U.S. Department of Energy loan to build the infrastructure it needs for the mass-production of the Model S luxury-electric sedan. Soon after that the company announced plans to grow its brand overseas while also opening its...
James Martinez -
Tesla Roadster now with Bank of America financing
Tesla has announced that it is partnering with the Bank of America to offer a range of new financing packages for its all-electric Roadster in the hope to "significantly" expand the number of customers who can experience the groundbreaking Bank of America will directly finance, document, and...
Ralph Hanson -
House passes bill to double DOE fuel-efficient vehicle fund to $50 billion
Former president Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the...
James Martinez -
Report: Aston Martin V12 Vantage not ruled out for U.S.
Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister, but sadly the super-coupe is only destined for showrooms outside the U.S. Why? Apparently the car’s low volumes, expected...
Ralph Hanson -
Tesla opens European flagship store in London
Just a few days ago Tesla got a new lease on life with a $465 million U.S. government loan to build the infrastructure it needs for the mass-production of the Model S luxury-electric sedan. Today, however, the company is focusing on growing its brand overseas with the grand opening of its first...
Ralph Hanson -
Even millionaires can find it hard to fall in love but at least they will always have their luxury and high-performance cars to keep them happy. A new matchmaking service now offers a package that takes full advantage of this trend. The 4M Club matchmaking service is now offering a new deal under its oddly named ‘Rolls Royce’ package, whereby clients not receive a hot date but they also get a fully custom Tesla all-electric Roadster thrown in. Available throughout all of 2009, the package starts at around $250,000 and if the client doesn’t want the car 4M is willing to...
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U.S. DOE announces $8 billion in loans for fuel-efficient vehicles at Ford, Nissan and Tesla
President Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds...
Nelson Ireson -
Tesla slashes production cost of Roadster, claims profitability within reach
Despite its small size, Tesla Motor Company, builder of the famed Roadster electric sports car, is as embattled as any major manufacturer these days. Between a lawsuit from a former CEO and materials costs far beyond the asking price of the Roadster, things haven't been going well lately. But today...
Nelson Ireson -
Tesla issues response to slander and libel lawsuit
Earlier this month we reported on a case where the original founder and designer of the famed Tesla Roadster filed a lawsuit against current Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, claiming a number of actions that could be potentially damaging to both Musk and the company. The suit, which covers libel, slander and...
James Martinez -
Plug-in hybrid option planned for Jaguar’s XE Roadster?
Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand. The latest word from Ratan Tata reaffirms the vision Tata has...
Kenneth Hall -
Tesla expands across the globe with seven new dealerships
Following news that the company has delivered its 500th all-electric Roadster model, Tesla has announced that it’s ready to expand its dealer network with seven new sales and service centers around the globe this summer. Prospective customers will now be able to test drive the company’s...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Having recently formed a partnership with German auto giant Daimler, Tesla this week has announced more good news with the company delivering its 500th all-electric Roadster model to a customer in New Jersey. The lucky individual and latest to get their hands on one of the popular Roadsters is a philanthropist by the name of Martin Tuchman. Tuchman, a former automotive engineer, said that his new Roadster "drives like a dream" and that he plans to use the car for commuting. Tuchman has already dabbled in electric propulsion, having previously converted his 1937 Chris-Craft into an electric...
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Mini Cooper roadster set for Frankfurt Motor Show
Mini has been a giant success story for BMW, with the iconic little cars becoming almost ubiquitous throughout cities these days. With brand success comes more models, and BMW has already capitalized on the Mini name in a big way with new variants such as the Clubman as well as an upcoming...
Kenneth Hall -
BMW celebrates 75 years of roadster production
Roadsters. Open air, summer sun and a visceral connection to the road. For many, the quintessential enthusiast's driving experience. But for many, many more, they are the attractive and sporting little convertibles that flit back and forth to work, shops and play with equal ease. Today BMW is...
Nelson Ireson -
Mazda France to celebrate 20 years of the MX-5 at Le Mans
Organizing an exclusive event for one of the most inclusive sports cars ever made - the Mazda MX-5 Miata - may seem paradoxical, but that's exactly what Mazda France is doing this June at the Le Mans 24 Hours race. A maximum of 200 MX-5s and their owners will gather for a show and shine celebration...
Ralph Hanson -
Tesla roadster goes 241 miles on a single charge - while rallying
One of the biggest criticisms of electric vehicles is the limited driving range they offer when compared with conventional diesel and petrol powered cars. However, the belief that driving an electric vehicle will leave you stranded after a couple dozen miles is starting to lose credibility, fast...
James Martinez -
Mercedes Benz design students pen F-CELL Roadster design study
With its skinny, spoked open wheels and an open-air cabin, the Mercedes Benz F-CELL Roadster looks more like the cars of the turn of the 20th century than those of the 21st, but design students blended the two to illustrate a point. The combination of old and new symbolizes a rebirth of thinking...
Alex Kaufmann -
Looking back on some of the cars that made sport driving great, and built the legend that has become today's Porsche, you'd wonder how we ever got to 3,500lb, 500hp twin-turbo monsters. The 356 Speedster, for example - considered by many to be one of the first modern sports cars - weighed a mere 1,670lb (760kg) and managed just 40hp (30kW) in some guises. A return to those motoring roots is thought to be in the works at Porsche, and the latest reports peg the arrival date at sometime in 2013, says Auto Zeitung. Work on the next-generation Boxster and what has been thought of as a 914 revival...
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Audi to offer smaller 1.8L TFSI in TT Roadster
Since its debut the Audi TT has stirred emotions and imitations with its daring looks, just as fresh now as when introduced just over a decade ago. The Roadster is even more image-conscious, and in recognition of that, Audi is reportedly considering a downsize for the drop-top's engine to a 1.8L...
Alex Kaufmann -
Red Dot design awards winners revealed for 2009
Innovative and interesting designs are rewarded each year with a 'red dot', from world renowned design institution, the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, one of Europe's oldest and most highly reputed design centers. This year a number of interesting entries in the automobile category came away...
Kenneth Hall -
Development has started on two-seater Jaguar roadster
Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand. The latest word from Ratan Tata reaffirms the vision Tata has...
Nelson Ireson -
Tesla reveals pricing for Model S, announces sale of 250th Roadster
Tesla's first all-original car, the upcoming Model S plug-in hybrid sedan, is due to be unveiled to the public in just a week’s time but the company has already released a couple of teaser shots - one showing the undercarriage and another showing the new glasshouse. In the lead up to the...
Ralph Hanson -
Preview: Mid-engined Skoda roadster
Volkswagen-owned Skoda doesn't get much press in the U.S. but over in Central and Eastern Europe it is one of the most popular automotive brands. Having launched new versions of its mainstream Octavia and Superb sedans in the past year, the company last week took the covers if its all-new Yeti...
Jeremy Weber