Tesla Roadster - Exclusive VIDEO, PICS and SPECS »

Posted by: JohnNeff 2 years, 2 months ago

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AutoblogGreen actually attended the unveiling of the Tesla Roadster electric supercar and produced a great post on the event. There's video that features interviews with the CEO and Chairman of Tesla Motors and footage of the car in action. There's also live shots and official pics, and the car's full specifications.

Read Full Story at autobloggreen.com »

Submitted By:

JohnNeff

I'm the Editor in Chief of Autoblog, one of many blogs in the Weblogs, Inc. network, which is owned by AOL. I'm diggin ...

This Story is Archived and Commenting is Closed

Comments: 68

Avg rating: (+1/-0 1)
SGigli
July 20, 2006, 8:22 a.m.
Go ahead. The future is coming. The future is here. Electric cars will dominate in a few years.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
ck
July 20, 2006, 8:34 a.m.
The way it is quiet is insane! I mean, watching this video I realized how much *noise* pollution would decrease if we were all driving these instead of gas-powered machines. Although the sports car is very nice, I don't think electric cars will reach the tipping point until we get some SUVs and Mini Vans. When are the Tesla hatchback and MiniVan coming?
Avg rating: (+1/-0 1)
ptath2
July 20, 2006, 8:36 a.m.
Great, if you want a car to lessen the influence of foriegn oil, your choices are the ugly tin cans like the prius or the civic, or you have to fork out big bucks for the Tesla roadster, oh yeah its not available yet, so its the ugly tin cans. I will go electric when they can produce I car I want to drive, and afford, until then I will look to bio-diesel.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Conrad
July 20, 2006, 8:42 a.m.
Astounding - C.K., electric will become mainstream only after a viable electric family car (5 seat, 5 door) car is made. I don't understand the American obsession with SUVs.
Avg rating: (+1/-1 0)
Fabienne
July 20, 2006, 8:53 a.m.
I would love to have 80,000 to shell out for one of these. They look fun to drive and I like the styling even though I am a bit of a Saab 9-3 convertible fan.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
syberfilm
July 20, 2006, 9:13 a.m.
I think the positive power system via the solar hookup is the most interesting part. You can generate more energy then your car uses. That is what cars, homes and companies should strive for. Electricity would eventually be free and end the strangle hold of Electric companies over the masses.
80k is high for a car. But for a car with this kind of technology. I think it is a steal...
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
dcharti
July 20, 2006, 9:33 a.m.
Neither do many of us Conrad :)

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
  Anatoliks
  April 19, 2007, 1:19 a.m.
  1 to you!
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
ck
July 20, 2006, 9:40 a.m.
Note: I wasn't commenting and wanting an SUV; I was just pointing out that, because of the American market for SUVs, having electric ones would be a big tipping point.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
vagredajr
July 20, 2006, 10:05 a.m.
yeah, going 80 mph hearing nothing but wind and tires on the ground? that is just too cool!
Noise pollution won't go away though, as I imagine electronics would take over. "Make your Tesla sound like a Cobra!" I can see it now.
Avg rating: (+8/-0 8)
electron5
July 20, 2006, 10:36 a.m.
I believe I saw a documentary on it. The obsession has to do with the intrinsic "Reptilian Complex" that on some level we are all competing to be bigger and stronger than everyone else. It's a survivor instinct according to most psychologists.
But it's time for it to go away. Maybe survival instinct should start meaning more conservation and less competition.
Ptath2 I'm sure there are better ways you can articulate your opinions than "tin can." Maybe you could explain why you don't like the style of the cars. Similarly, there are better ways to chide SUVs than butt-ugly monsters. But to be so worried about style says something about insecurity now doesn't it?

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
  technodd
  Sept. 13, 2007, 6:04 a.m.
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Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
amayzak
July 20, 2006, 11:03 a.m.
Hot hot hot. Too bad it's so pricey, but it's a step in the right direction.
Why don't they just make an electric Miata with solar panels on the trunk and hood and price it under $20,000? Oh that's right... because EVERYONE would buy it and then the gas companies would be out of business.
Avg rating: (+1/-0 1)
searchbeam
July 20, 2006, 11:07 a.m.
This is the news I was waiting for, for years!
Hmmm...250 miles range per charge. That has to be the tipping point. The psychological barrier -fear, maybe?= for getting caught without power was the main reason for people for not embracing EV1 and the likes. The hybrids on the other hand are the essential first step towards a totally clean and green electric car.
Rome was not built in a day! So, it will be a while before the technology of Tesla car is proven, and enough units sold to cover the enormous R & D costs, that the prices will come down from stratosphere to earth.
I must congratulate the geniuses behind this project. Yhey definitely deserve the Malcolm Baldridge Award.
Keep up guys, godspeed to you. I will be keenly watching your progress!
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Razor
July 20, 2006, 11:13 a.m.
Wonderful, May they sell enough to work out the bugs and bring the price down. Then make a sedan, a van, an SUV and trucks.
I just hope the Big mfgrs. don't kill this one off like they did with the mazda/Wankel engine because they have so much invested in gas burners and their own hybrids.
his is just what we all need.
OPEC and the refineries can go choke on it....
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Razor
July 20, 2006, 11:15 a.m.
One more thing. Please, Please, Please put in enough leg room for 6ft+ drivers.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
Tall_by_Nature
July 20, 2006, 11:26 a.m.
In reply to Razor:
AMEN to that Brother...
;0)

1 Reply
- Avg rating: (+6/-1 5)
  Anatoliks
  April 19, 2007, 1:16 a.m.
  You right! :-)
Avg rating: (+4/-0 4)
basil2004
July 20, 2006, 11:51 a.m.
This is a great step forward.and for everbody that cant understand suv here it is plain and simple. Safty,Saftey Saftey. Every one who drives these wants to be safe.We have become that society saftey is all around us thats all we care about.And they are more sporty than a van/more room.Ipersonnaly own a mid size suv to pull my traler and a hybrid.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
thefrostedone
July 20, 2006, 12:16 p.m.
An SUV is a "fashion Statement" I drive a 78 Datsun,that gets 26 MPG, with Air on. It also passes the smog test every two years that get increasingly more stringent. I like the idea of an electric car that gets that kind of mileage, and when they get the Solar panels that allow you to drive 600 miles without stopping for a 3.5 hour charge, I'm going to get one. Here in the land of fruits and nuts, it should go well, since most any place one wants to go is within the 250 mile limitation that the car has now. Since the Liberals and Tree Huggers want NO Nuclear Generating Plants, NO coal or oil burning generating plants, NO drilling for offshore oil, NO refineries, NO manufacturing of any kind it will do well. The only thing I haven't heard them complain about is the 3 million illegals that have moved into the state since 2000.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
ptath2
July 20, 2006, 12:21 p.m.
Electron5:
((Ptath2 I'm sure there are better ways you can articulate your opinions than "tin can." Maybe you could explain why you don't like the style of the cars. Similarly, there are better ways to chide SUVs than butt-ugly monsters. But to be so worried about style says something about insecurity now doesn't it?))))
sure, Electron5 I could had detailed, How I don't like wedge shape of the prius, or the bland styling of the civic, but the space for my response is limited by Netscape (this is a comment not a blog) and my time was limited by circumstance, so I am sorry if the use of the term "tin can," offends. Perhaps you can refrain from ad hominem attacks. My purchase of car has little to do with my ego or any insecurity. When I spend that much money, I expect something that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, utility is not my only concern, just so you know I currently drive a rather unremarkable VW Passat, but I like it.
Avg rating: (+3/-0 3)
brian-green
July 20, 2006, 12:22 p.m.
I see this as a positive move when the likes of Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are all dragging their feet in this market. I believe the time is right for a new automaker to spring up and get people excited about cars again. You heard in the video that the money was going right back into the development of other cars that are cheaper for regular folks. We'll let the celebrities all buy these up and that'll flood Tesla Motors with funding for their next cars.
As battery technology improves with the likes of Ultra-Capacitors and new battery designs, the miles traveled on one charge will go up. If they can get the charge times down to ten to fifteen minutes, then there's a market for power-up stations that are also like coffee shops. Go in, relax, have a Cappuccino, and when you're done, the car is charged and you can be on your way.
I wish Tesla Motors nothing but the very best.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
killgoreS
July 20, 2006, 12:28 p.m.
basil2004:
SUVs and larger cars are not safer. Studies have shown (the one I'm referencing was on an article regarding young and new drivers) that larger vehicles are more prone to accidents due to less responsive handling (bigger = slower : think a tank or Shaqile O'Neal).
Mix that with an inflated sense of confidence and throw in a driver distracted by a cell phone and you've got a recipe for disaster. Some of the smallerst cars out there are just as safe. Look at all the safety engineering put into the new Minis.
Only two out every ten SUV's are ever used for their intended offroad/utilitarian use. The other 80-90% are for lookin' cool, which is well,... cool.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
killgoreS
July 20, 2006, 12:30 p.m.
But, I think the article is great. Kudos to Tesla Motors for being the first one out of the gates. It seems like it may have to be an outsider to get the big companies started. Maybe get the government involved. Imagine the government actually doing something for the good of the envronment and the people. It wasn't until the US Army bought heavily into micro-processors over the years that they eventually became affordable for the average consumer.
Avg rating: (+7/-0 7)
searchbeam
July 20, 2006, 12:50 p.m.
The name "Tesla" has a very powerful past - like in power transmission at the beginning of 20th century.
I think these entrepreneurs made an excellent choice of brand name - a name that says "Power" and "Class".
Oh, by the way, I love that logo!
Whoever designed it deserves great accolades.
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
searchbeam
July 20, 2006, 12:55 p.m.
The name "Tesla" has a very powerful past - like in power transmission at the beginning of 20th century.
I think these entrepreneurs made an excellent choice of brand name - a name that says "Power" and "Class".
Oh, by the way, I love that logo!
Whoever designed it deserves great accolades!
Avg rating: (+14/-7 7)
gumballrally427
July 20, 2006, 1:54 p.m.
It's nice to see an electric car that doesn't look like an electric car! Ah-nold likes it too!! "Get your ass to battery power!"
Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)
ades
July 20, 2006, 1:59 p.m.
It's a step in the right direction. Just remember all technology starts out expensive and exclusive... ie the Zack Morris phone. 10 to 15 years and we'll all me driving silent cars. Can't wait. Also, no more Middle Eastern politics!