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Tesla Roadster (second generation)

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For Tesla's first sports car or its first generation, see Tesla Roadster (first generation).

Tesla Roadster
Overview
ManufacturerTesla, Inc.
Productionlate 2024-2025 (to commence)
DesignerFranz von Holzhausen
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupe
LayoutTri-motor, all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Electric motorThree electric motors (one front, two rear)
Battery200 kWh
Electric range620 mi (1,000 kilometres)
Plug-in charging
  • Offboard charger
  • Supercharger V3 at >350 kW DC
Chronology
PredecessorTesla Roadster (first generation)

The Tesla Roadster is an upcoming battery electric four-seater sports car to be built by Tesla, Inc. The company said it will be capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds,[1][2][3] which would be quicker than any street legal production car to date at its announcement in November 2017.[4] The Roadster is the successor to Tesla's first production car, the 2008 Roadster.

Originally set to ship in 2020, the release has been delayed multiple times. In early 2024, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expected that the Roadster should unveil at the end of 2024, and they were aiming to ship in 2025,[5] but in October 2024, Musk confirmed that the Roadster is further delayed.[6] Musk said that higher-performance trim levels will be available beyond the base specifications, including a SpaceX package that would "include ~10 small rocket cold air thrusters arranged seamlessly around the car" which would allow for dramatic improvements in "acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering," and such as a claimed 1.1 second 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time,[7] and "maybe ... even allow a Tesla to fly".

Overview

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History

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In 2011, at the end of the production run of the original Tesla Roadster, Musk suggested that a new version of the Roadster, without the Lotus Elise chassis, could return to production by 2014.[8] The new Roadster was first teased in 2014.[9] At the time, it was also referred to as the Tesla Model R.[10]

In 2015, Musk suggested a new Roadster as early as 2019, capable of faster acceleration.[11][12][13] A tweet by Musk in December 2016 said that a second Roadster was in Tesla plans, but still "some years away".[14][15] The second Roadster was designed by Franz von Holzhausen.[16]

A prototype of the Roadster was shown in a surprise moment at the end of the Tesla Semi event on November 16, 2017, during in which a Roadster was driven out of the back of one of the semi-truck trailers to the song "Sabotage,[17] with a tease of availability in the year 2020 at the starting price of US$200,000.[18][19] Musk explained the concept as: "The point of doing this is to give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars. Driving a gasoline sports car is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche."[20] Test rides were given at the event for those who immediately paid the first $5,000 of a $50,000 deposit to pre-order the vehicle.[20][21][22][23] Additional information followed after the teaser, such as the various world-record speeds Tesla said it would break.[24][25][26][27]

In June 2018, Musk revealed a potential feature called "SpaceX option package" for the Roadster.[28] This would add around ten cold gas thrusters to the car to improve maneuverability; it would comprise an electric pump to recharge an air tank used to provide compressed air flowing through propelling nozzles to generate a cold jet thrust. The air tanks, based on "composite overwrapped pressure vessel" (COPV) also used in the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, would replace the back seats. The thrusters would be used to improve cornering, acceleration, top speed, and braking.[29][30][31] Working pressure would be 10,000 psi (690 bar).[32]

On the series 4, episode 12 of Jay Leno's Garage broadcast on August 23, 2018, featured Jay Leno inside the Tesla Roadster prototype along with its designer Franz von Holzhausen.[33]

On June 27, 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk Tweeted that a "2.1 sec 0-60 mph was the base model before adding (the SpaceX) rocket thruster option".

During the 2020 second quarter financial results conference call, Musk stated that Tesla plans to tentatively build the Roadster in California and production would be in the next 12 to 18 months.[34]

In January 2021, Musk tweeted that production would be delayed until 2022. He commented that in 2021, the company would finish engineering the Roadster with the goal of having a "candidate design drivable late summer".[35] In September 2021, Musk said that production would be delayed until 2023.[36] Musk further confirmed the 2023 target at the 2021 shareholder's meeting in October,[37] which was then changed to 2024 at the May 2023 shareholder's meeting.[38] In February 2024, the production date was changed to 2025.[39]

In February 2024, Elon Musk posted on X that: the production version of the Roadster would be unveiled in late 2024; deliveries would begin in early 2025; the car would be able accelerate to 60 mph in under 1 second;[40] and steer-by-wire similar to the Cybertruck would be included.[41]

Pre-order marketing

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Pre-orders of the Roadster began in 2017, with a $50,000 deposit required.[20] Tesla owners taking part in the referral promotion program began accumulating discounts toward the purchase of a Roadster based on the number of referrals. Those reaching 55 confirmed referrals obtained a 100% rebate toward a future Roadster purchase.[42][43]

Price

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The base model was initially listed on Tesla's website at $200,000, but the first 1,000 to be produced, known as the Founder's Series, will be priced at $250,000.[20][44] Full payment would be required to pre-order the latter vehicle. The price was later removed from the website, leaving only the deposit/reservation price of the base model as $50,000.[45]

Design

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Second-generation Tesla Roadster interior

The second-generation Tesla Roadster is a 2+2 coupé[46] with a removable glass roof. It was designed by Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's chief designer who has been responsible for most Tesla vehicles. The Roadster has a 2+2 seating arrangement, with smaller rear seats for two passengers.[20]

The Roadster has three electric motors: one in the front and two in the rear,[20] allowing for all-wheel drive, and torque vectoring during cornering. The vehicle will have a 200 kWh battery, twice the capacity of the largest battery in an existing Tesla car (the Tesla Model S or Model X), and much larger than the 123 kWh battery of the Tesla Cybertruck. The Roadster will have a 620 miles (1,000 km) range on a single charge at highway speeds. Tesla said the torque at the wheels was 7,400 lb⋅ft (10,000 N⋅m). The rear wheels are larger than the front wheels.[47]

Performance

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Second-generation Tesla Roadster (2019)
Tesla Roadster seen on the 2020 Tesla Battery Day Event

Musk made the following statements regarding the prototype Roadster's acceleration:

  • 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 1.1 seconds with a rocket thruster option added (without specifying if this includes a 1-foot rollout).[48]
  • 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 2.1 seconds for the base model before adding rocket thruster option (without specifying if this includes a 1-foot rollout).[49] Tesla's website later stated 1.9 seconds.[3]

Its stated 0 to 1⁄4 mile (0 to 400 metres) time will be 8.88 seconds, with a top speed above 250 mph (400 km/h).[50][51] If the production Roadster achieves these performance numbers, it will outperform the supercars of 2019, and would set new production car records, none of which had yet done better than 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.0 seconds or 9.0 seconds in the 1/4 mile. Referring to the performance, Musk stated, "this is what we are achieving in the prototype"; he also indicated performance may improve in the production model and that the stated numbers refer to the anticipated "base model".[50][51] The updated Model S Plaid released in 2021 set several production car records with performance statistics close to those anticipated by the Roadster.

In February 2024, Musk stated on X that the new design goal for the production Roadster included an acceleration of 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in less than 1 second, without specifying if the "SpaceX package" would be an option or not.[52][53]

Analysis

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Research completed in 2017 by Bloomberg L.P. indicates that the estimate as to the range per charge is optimistic, based on comments from Salim Morsy, the electric vehicle analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. In an article titled Tesla's Newest Promises Break the Laws of Batteries, Morsy indicated that the claimed battery capacity would require batteries that would be too large for the Roadster's small frame. "I don't think the car you saw last week had the full 200 kilowatt hours in it. I don't think it's physically possible to do that right now."[54] Morsy's analysis directly contradicts Musk, who had stated earlier in the year "this is what we are achieving in the prototype".[50][51]

Venkat Viswanathan, a mechanical engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University,[55] told Jalopnik that the 1.9 second figure for 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) seemed reasonable given the estimated battery weight of 1,836 pounds (833 kg). He added that the feasibility of the acceleration claim assumed suitable tires would be available for the required traction.[56]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Acceleration times:
    • 1.9s: standing start 0–62 miles per hour (0–100 km/h), without rollout allowance.
    • 1.9s: rolling start ~6–60 miles per hour (10–97 km/h), with 1-foot rollout allowance
  2. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (June 27, 2019). "2.1 sec 0–60 mph is base mode" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b "Roadster". US: Tesla. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Sage, Alexandria (November 16, 2017). "New $200,000 Tesla Roadster speeds in front of electric big-rig truck". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  5. ^ "Elon Musk Tesla Roadster Unveiling 2024", Teslarati
  6. ^ Elon Musk: Tesla Roadster delayed, regular $25k car “pointless”, October 28, 2024
  7. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (June 9, 2018). "SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly …" (Tweet). Retrieved March 25, 2019 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Keene, Jaime (October 31, 2011). "Tesla Roadster to return in 2014". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  9. ^ Lambert, Fred (June 13, 2017). "Tesla Roadster next-gen: Elon Musk considers target under 2-second for 'Maximum Plaid'". electrek. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Eric Loveday (September 3, 2014). "By 2020, Tesla Could Be Selling 5 Electric Models Simultaneously". Inside EVs. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Musk, Elon (July 17, 2015). "Three Dog Day". Tesla, Inc. Archived from the original on August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  12. ^ Hill, Brandon (July 18, 2015). "Tesla Motors Will Launch All-New 'Maximum Plaid' Roadster Within Four Years". HotHardware. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  13. ^ Perkins, Chris (July 18, 2015). "Tesla will launch a new roadster in 4 years (with nod to 'Spaceballs')". Mashable. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  14. ^ Klein, Jonathon (December 28, 2016). "New Tesla Roadster Planned, Says Elon Musk". Motor Trend. US. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  15. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (December 23, 2016). "@jelleprins Some years away, but yes" (Tweet). Retrieved June 1, 2017 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Vaughn, Mark (November 17, 2017). "Tesla Roadster Sounds Incredible But Will It Be That Good?". AutoWeek. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  17. ^ Barlow, Jason (November 17, 2017). "The new Tesla Roadster is Formula One car fast". British GQ. Retrieved November 21, 2017. Beastie Boys classic "Sabotage" was playing as the Roadster was disgorged from the Semi's trailer in front of a whooping audience.
  18. ^ Etherington, Darrell (November 17, 2017). "Tesla unveils the new Roadster". TechCrunch.
  19. ^ Shaban, Hamza (November 17, 2017). "For $200,000, Tesla will sell you the 'world's fastest' consumer car". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Gibbs, Samuel (November 17, 2017). "Tesla Roadster: nine things we know about the 'smackdown to gasoline cars'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  21. ^ Maclean, Andrew (November 17, 2017). "Tesla unveils new Roadster". Drive. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  22. ^ "Surprise! Tesla Announces New Roadster Amid Electric Truck Reveal". NewsFactor. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  23. ^ "All-new Tesla Roadster STEALS The SEMI's Show – Musk Plants A Flag In The Ground To END ICE Vehicles For Good". AutoSpies Auto News. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  24. ^ Jivan, Jon (July 17, 2015). "Tesla's insanely fast Model S just got faster, ludicrously faster". electrek. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  25. ^ Ziegler, Chris (July 17, 2015). "It's official: Tesla is launching a new Roadster in four years". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  26. ^ Brodie, James (June 16, 2017). "2019 Tesla Roadster: Elon Musk hints at two second 0–60 target". Auto Express. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017.
  27. ^ Glon, Ronan (December 28, 2016). "Tesla's next Roadster will be one of the quickest cars in the world". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017.
  28. ^ Ramsey, Jonathon (June 9, 2018). "SpaceX option package for 2020 Tesla Roadster could add more performance". Auto Blog. US. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  29. ^ Lambert, Fred (June 10, 2018). "Elon Musk is serious about adding thrusters to the new Tesla Roadster, the option will replace the back seats". Electrek. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  30. ^ Morris, David Z. (June 10, 2018). "Elon Musk Says Tesla's Next Roadster Will Feature Actual SpaceX Rocket Thrusters". Fortune Magazine. Archived from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  31. ^ Krok, Andrew (June 11, 2018). "Elon Musk is 100 percent serious about Roadster thrusters". Roadshow. CNET. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  32. ^ Musk, Elon (September 7, 2018). "Elon Musk" (offset: 1.14:46–1.15:25). The Joe Rogan Experience (Interview). No. 1169. Interviewed by Joe Rogan. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018. The next generation Roadster, … where you put rocket thrusters on it … ultra high compressed air … cold gas thrusters … electric pump … pump it up to like 10,000 psi … could make it fly
  33. ^ Hanley, Steve (October 23, 2019). "Tesla's next-gen Roadster unleashes Jay Leno's inner child in 'Jay Leno's Garage' segment". CleanTechnica. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  34. ^ Lambert, Fred (July 22, 2020). "Elon Musk hints at Tesla Roadster production in California within 12–18 months". Electrek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  35. ^ Porter, Jon (January 29, 2021). "Tesla Roadster production delayed to 2022". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  36. ^ "Elon Musk: Tesla Roadster Delayed (Again), This Time to 2023". MotorTrend. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  37. ^ "2021 Shareholder Meeting". Tesla. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  38. ^ Merano, Maria (May 17, 2023). "Elon Musk sets expectations for next-gen Tesla Roadster production". TESLARATI. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  39. ^ Fitzgerald, Jack (February 28, 2024). "Tesla Roadster Can Hit 60 MPH under 1 Second, Coming Next Year, Claims Musk". Car and Driver. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  40. ^ Fitzgerald, Jack (February 28, 2024). "Tesla Roadster Can Hit 60 MPH under 1 Second, Coming Next Year, Claims Musk". Car and Driver. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  41. ^ https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-tesla-roadster-two-new-features-steer-by-wire/
  42. ^ Westbrook, Justin T. (July 12, 2017). "Tesla Is Offering People A Free Next Generation Roadster (If You Sell 50 Cars For Them)". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  43. ^ Lambert, Fred (September 28, 2017). "Tesla updates its referral program to include solar panels, new prizes, removing $1,000 credit on cars". electrek. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  44. ^ "Roadster | Tesla". US: Tesla. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020.
  45. ^ "Roadster | Tesla". US: Tesla. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022.
  46. ^ McParland, Tom (November 17, 2017). "The New Tesla Roadster Isn't Actually A Roadster". Jalopnik. US. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  47. ^ Dow, Jameson (November 20, 2017). "Tesla's Next-Gen Roadster: A (speculative) technical look at the car that will "smack down" gasoline powered cars". Electrek. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017. tires on the prototype are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 325/30ZR21 (104Y) rear and 295/35ZR20 front. These have a "Y" speed rating, which means they have a maximum speed of "over (300kmph)." They are the same tires used on the Porsche 918 Spyder (which has a /340kmph top speed).
  48. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (May 20, 2021). "0 to 100 km/h in 1.1" (Tweet). Retrieved August 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (June 27, 2019). "2.1 sec 0–60 mph is base model before adding rocket thruster option" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ a b c Tracy, David. "Here's What A Battery Researcher Told Us About The Tesla Roadster's Crazy Performance Claims". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  51. ^ a b c "Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Semi, Roadster in 'Smackdown to Gasoline Cars'". Nerdist. November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  52. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (February 28, 2024). "Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster. There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car" (Tweet). Retrieved June 17, 2024 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (February 28, 2024). "0-60mph < 1 sec And that is the least interesting part" (Tweet). Retrieved June 17, 2024 – via Twitter.
  54. ^ Randall, Tom; Lippert, John (November 24, 2017). "Tesla's Newest Promises Break the Laws of Batteries". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  55. ^ "Venkat Viswanathan". Carnegie Mellon University. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  56. ^ Tracy, David (November 17, 2017). "Here's What A Battery Researcher Told Us About The Tesla Roadster's Crazy Performance Claims". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
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