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Tesla Motors has busy day: reveals 2010 Roadster, opens NYC showroom
Ever since DVICE first heard about the luxurious all-electric Tesla Roadster, I've been dying to get behind the wheel of one. Today I finally got my wish, taking the 2010 Roadster Sport for a spin on the streets of NYC as the company threw open the doors on its Manhattan showroom on West 25th St.
It was the first public showing of the Roadster Sport, which differs from the previous model only slightly. The gear shift has been replaced by an array of buttons, the iPod dock is in a more convenient spot, and there are a slew of extra options, including the carbon-fiber accents you see in the pics. It also goes from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds instead of 3.9. I wasn't looking at the spedometer as I rocketed down 11th Ave., but that felt pretty accurate.
Interested in owning this baby? Hit the jump on what Tesla had to say about financing, and a gallery.
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Tesla now offers financing for the $100,000 Roadster. Yep, after a down payment, you, too, can own this fine electric vehicle for the tidy sum of $1,700 a month (for five years). That's still not cheap, but at least it has value: You'll never have to shell out a single penny on gasoline, oil changes or fixing the muffler. In fact, company reps say the biggest complaint from customers is that the windshield gets too dirty; if you never visit a gas station, when would you clean it?
Driving the Tesla around town, the thing that stuck me the most was how quiet it was. When I turned the key, I couldn't tell that it had started, and when I tried to turn left at a light after it turned green, several people who were standing off the curb (as New Yorkers tend to do) didn't move out of the way — they thought I was parked! As I drove by them, I could feel the eyeballs on the rear license plate. This definitely is the champagne of electric vehicles. Want.
Via Tesla Motors
By atergo at 5:50 PM ON 07/14/09
sounds awesome...but they need to bring the price down a lot
By PeterPachal at 6:03 PM ON 07/14/09
@atergo: They already have... somewhat. Have you seen the Tesla Model S? http://dvice.com/archives/2008/10/first-peek-tesl.php
Still $50k, but getting there.
By Old Man Dotes at 6:20 PM ON 07/14/09
You don't get a Ferrari or a Lamborghini if you have to watch your budget. The Tesla Roadster Sport is the Lamborghini Countach of electric vehicles. Personally, I'll be getting an Aptera, because where my budget lies, but I'll dream of the Tesla.
By Jamion at 6:22 PM ON 07/14/09
Michael Faraday invented the first electric motor, not Tesla. So shouldn't it be called Faraday Motors?
I'm sure Tesla would be happy, he loved stealing credit for other peoples ideas, but Faraday was the true genius.
By Mr. Gumsandals at 7:17 PM ON 07/14/09
This is the most exciting thing happening in America. Good luck to 'em.
By murc at 10:28 PM ON 07/14/09
Old Man Dotes - The Aptera is a very ugly car.
Jamion - When people think Tesla, they think "electricity"....hence, its a good name for an electric car company. It has nothing to do with who invented the electric motor.
As for the article: Not bad, some good minor improvements should help Tesla keep orders coming in (which have slowed).
I dont have the money for a new car, But if I did I wouldn't buy the Roadster...I'd wait for the model S.......which is a very nice looking car, with some impressive stats to boot.
By mccombbj at 10:36 PM ON 07/14/09
Actually tesla invented the AC induction motor, which happens to be what runs this car. So they are justified in the name tesla.
By hollywood_hillbilly at 10:43 PM ON 07/14/09
My first thought was "why is Justin Timberlake sitting on that guy's lap?" I was also shocked to hear about inventors taking credit for others inventions.
By jimwhenry at 1:13 AM ON 07/15/09
For working trucks the rule is not based on the fuel efficieny. As long as it is manufactured before 2001 they all qualify
but cannot be older than 25 years old.
Jim Henry
Blogger
www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
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By ev lover at 12:28 PM ON 07/16/09
I'm excited about electric cars news but tired of hearing about Tesla Motors- until they start producing cheaper models. For electric cars to be serious contenders, they need to be mid-priced economy vehicles that most households can by with tax incentives etc. According to new reports, up to 1/3 of cars buyers want to go electric- which would reduce oil dependency, green house emissions, foreign oil dependency, health care costs, and create jobs. For more information about electric cars, I suggest checking out the website http://www.twocentspermile.com or http://www.bit.ly/2centspermile
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ev lover:
I'm excited about electric cars news but tired of hearing about Tesla Motors- until they start producing cheaper mo...More »