Saw this in an inflight magazine yesterday.
http://www.teslamotors.com/styling/body.php
Looks ver similar to our beloved Lotus !
Ex77
It was designd by lotus me thinks
Looking at the spec it is very Lotusesqe.
Even uses LTS Yokos.
Ex77
The Tesla Roadster is a fully electric sports car, and is the first car to be produced by electric car firm Tesla Motors. Tesla claims prototypes have been able to accelerate from 0-60 mph (100 km/h) in about 4 seconds, and reach a top speed of over 130 mph (210 km/h). Additionally, the car will be able to travel more than 200 miles (322 km) on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery system. The Roadster’s efficiency is reported as 133 Wh/km[2] or equivalent to 135 mpg
The Roadster was developed in collaboration with Lotus Cars, and chief electromechanical engineer Tony Bazouni. The AC motor and drivetrain technology are more advanced than versions used in the GM EV1 and AC Propulsion tzero. Tesla Motors licensed AC Propulsion’s Reductive Charging patent to improve the integration of the charging electronics with the inverter, thus reducing mass, complexity and cost.
Tesla Motors has designed and built its own power electronics, motor, and other drivetrain components that incorporate this licensed technology from AC Propulsion.
Lotus supplied the basic chassis technology from its Lotus Elise. Tesla engineers designed a new chassis with this technology, lengthening it, lowering the door sills, and adjusting its strength to match the weight of the Tesla Roadster. Besides the chassis technology, the Roadster also shares some components with the Elise, such as the windshield, air bags, tires, some dashboard parts, and suspension components.
The styling was by Barney Hatt at Lotus’ design studio with input from Tesla. The car will be assembled at the Lotus factory in Hethel, England, with drivetrain components and body components supplied to the factory by Tesla
It was at Goodwood.
Although based on a Lotus and built at Lotus, it was designed by Tesla.
500 pre-ordered by people in the US, all the celebs apparently including Clooney and Damon etc. Better than a Prius!
It was at Goodwood.
Although based on a Lotus and built at Lotus, it was designed by Tesla.
Everything sans the alu-construction was designed by Tesla. Probably around as much as Opel/Vauxhall “designed” the Speedster. Not that “designing” a powerful electric engine and finding the room to fit the batteries, gearbox and the rest isn’t an impressive achievement though.
It weighs about 1200kg apparently - and you all thought the S2 was lardy!!!
down to the batteries i would say
Yeah the batteries are bloody heavy which also requires a new substantial rear subframe and stronger wishbones etc.
Looking more into this car, the idea that they have 500 deposits is pretty good going for them.
Not only do you need a 60amp power supply to properly charge the car (a domestic 13amp takes 12 hours); but you can only charge it between 5 and 20 degrees.
And if that wasn�t bad enough, the batteries only last 1700 cycles which is only like 5 years, so you have to through it away after then � very environmentally friendly�
Don�t get me wrong I think it�s great that they�ve created a car like this, and even better that it�s doing well. But that said, I also think it�s pretty damn ridiculous. 265E any day please�
David
It weighs about 1200kg apparently - and you all thought the S2 was lardy!!!
The S2 is lardy!