How real is the new Tesla Roadster?

[MrOrange]

It’s got mental numbers, 0-60 in 1.9, 12000 torques, 250mph and a 600+ mile range. If the real numbers are close to this then this heavyweight (2.5 tonnes?) monster suddenly makes most super/Hypercars look a bit pedestrian and last century.

It’s also a little pricey, a minimum deposit of nearly £40k with no known delivery date. Or cheap, if indeed it becomes the fastest thing in the world.

Anyone here tempted to stand in line for what might be an expensive PR/vapourware exercise?

[Heres Johnny]

I'm doubtful. It obviously exists in a sense as people have been in it, but what it does could be done, potentially easily, by sandwiching two P100D battery packs and rear motors into a fancy frock. The P100D already does 0-60 in 2.5s, double the power and you'd be away.

They're also not promising restricted deliveries, the Founders edition of the MX were also delivered in the UK behind some regular MX orders - so no guarantee of cashing in on being the only one in the country,

Add the speculation on improved battery technology for which their is no certainty and the likelihood this car could be a good 2.5 ton without it. Reports of sitting high in the car (above the batteries) don't look good for a Nurburgring winner (and no Tesla has set a competitive time around that track, they over heat before they can).

It may well be a great car, but Musk is the master of premature ejaculation when it comes to features, his full self driving car is very late, the M3 is behind, the MX was behind, and so on, so I imagine a large chunk of that car is smoke and mirrors. If Porsche had released it we'd have spy pictures of it doing winter proving etc by now. Any deposit is a free unsecured loan to Tesla with no protection. My wallet is firmly shut, I'm quite happy with a P90DL for now thanks.

[Blaster72]

$250k buys what? A battery, some motors and brakes from the La Ferrari. Where has the rest of the money gone?

Add in state taxes or import tax in other countries and that'll be one expensive milk float.

[Heres Johnny]

Blaster72 said:

£250k buys what? A battery, some motors and brakes from the La Ferrari. Where has the rest of the money gone?

You could say that about any car, it's hardly constructive and thought through

Whats your Audi A3 got that a Skoda hasn't?

[Blaster72]

Heres Johnny said:

You could say that about any car, it's hardly constructive and thought through

Whats your Audi A3 got that a Skoda hasn't?

Which Skoda?

Anyway back to the Tesla, my point is it seems expensive for what's on the face of it a Model S with a different body, new battery and brakes.

[liner33]

Its not real as I understand it as there currently isnt a battery that will do what they have claimed , I think what we have seen is a mock up using existing parts and extrapolating what "may" be possible with the right battery

Its little more than a way to inject cash into Tesla and I doubt it will ever get delivered to those who have placed orders (Same as the truck)

[AstonZagato]

Will it be delivered? Yes, eventually. But far later than they are talking. Will it do what they are claiming? Yes, probably.

The trouble is it may not be great around a track (as others have pointed out, current Teslas can't handle track work). It may not be great for a back roads blast either.

But I'm sure it will be impressive in a straight line over short distances. And a great relaxed GT that can suddenly just (as Clarkson said about the Rimac) "f*ck off" into the distance like no other hypercar.

I'm tempted by the proposition. I'm liking my MX100D.

But place a deposit now? No way.