News
Tesla Announces Launch Date for $100,000 Roadster
SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Tesla Motors has confirmed for Inside Line that production of the delayed Tesla Roadster will begin on March 17.
Tesla spokesman Joe Powers said production will ramp up in a "slow cadence" of about one car per week. "We'll be getting the processes down and getting a feel for the build of the vehicle," he said. "The eventual rate will be 40 cars per week. That is realistic based on what Lotus has committed to. We'll get there eventually. The question is, how soon can we ramp up to full production? I would say we'll get close to full production in late 2008."
Powers confirmed that the first Roadsters will be delivered with a one-speed transmission with what he calls "a reduced performance spec of zero to 60 [mph] in 5.7 seconds." Originally, the Roadster was to have been equipped with an electric motor with a two-speed electrically actuated manual shift transmission and could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. Powers said the "ultimate goal is a one-speed that still gets the same [original] spec." He said that transmission would not be ready in March, but later in the year. "We'll retrofit all the initial cars as needed with the final transmission, which is also a one-speed," he noted. Tesla Motors will not disclose who is supplying the transmissions for the Roadster.
The company says the main issue with the transmission has been "durability.... The transmissions [are designed] to last the lifetime of the vehicle," Powers said. "The two-speeds we were working with wouldn't meet that."
Powers described the mood at Tesla Motors in glowing terms. "We're entering a new phase as a company," he said. "The confidence level is very high. The reason for that is, now we do have a date for production and we do have a clear line of sight with the transmission solution. That's big for folks internally and validating for people anxiously waiting for the cars."
Regarding some concern in Los Angeles about a "Coming Spring 2008" banner that disappeared from the front of the company's L.A. dealership, Powers had these reassuring words: "It blew down and fell on some cars. Right now, we're still on top of an April [opening] for the dealership."
What this means to you: The Tesla Roadster takes a giant step toward becoming a reality in your driveway. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Tesla spokesman Joe Powers said production will ramp up in a "slow cadence" of about one car per week. "We'll be getting the processes down and getting a feel for the build of the vehicle," he said. "The eventual rate will be 40 cars per week. That is realistic based on what Lotus has committed to. We'll get there eventually. The question is, how soon can we ramp up to full production? I would say we'll get close to full production in late 2008."
Powers confirmed that the first Roadsters will be delivered with a one-speed transmission with what he calls "a reduced performance spec of zero to 60 [mph] in 5.7 seconds." Originally, the Roadster was to have been equipped with an electric motor with a two-speed electrically actuated manual shift transmission and could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. Powers said the "ultimate goal is a one-speed that still gets the same [original] spec." He said that transmission would not be ready in March, but later in the year. "We'll retrofit all the initial cars as needed with the final transmission, which is also a one-speed," he noted. Tesla Motors will not disclose who is supplying the transmissions for the Roadster.
The company says the main issue with the transmission has been "durability.... The transmissions [are designed] to last the lifetime of the vehicle," Powers said. "The two-speeds we were working with wouldn't meet that."
Powers described the mood at Tesla Motors in glowing terms. "We're entering a new phase as a company," he said. "The confidence level is very high. The reason for that is, now we do have a date for production and we do have a clear line of sight with the transmission solution. That's big for folks internally and validating for people anxiously waiting for the cars."
Regarding some concern in Los Angeles about a "Coming Spring 2008" banner that disappeared from the front of the company's L.A. dealership, Powers had these reassuring words: "It blew down and fell on some cars. Right now, we're still on top of an April [opening] for the dealership."
What this means to you: The Tesla Roadster takes a giant step toward becoming a reality in your driveway. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »