Posted on 01/28/2008 3:12:40 PM PST by dynachrome
Most people are lucky to experience one life-affirming moment while they're on this earth; I experienced mine last week. AutoblogGreen's Sam Abuelsamid called to ask if I was interested in accompanying him on his exclusive First Drive of the Tesla Roadster. Aside from the company's own employees, only a few customers and the major automotive print publications have driven the Tesla Roadster so far. But you won't have to check your mailbox or drop $4.95 at Barnes and Noble to read about what it's like to drive this truly revolutionary vehicle. Follow the jump for our full road test (with video!) and check out the gallery of amazing images below.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoblog.com ...
Video at the link.
Anyone see the newly designed Camaro?
A couple of other concerns -
The carbon-fiber laminate support - how will that hold up in the sun for a few years? Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...
And as you posted, battery life (and replacement cost/difficulty), recharge time, etc.
Reliability - I guess would depend on the battery itself.
And I am sure it is all super-expensive. Will be for those Hollyweird types who like to drop big-bucks on a status symbol, while pretending to be “green”...
there are a few points I’m plannin on adding to my ‘69
$100K is quoted in the video.
“that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...”
I did not know that. People have talked up carbon fiber bodies for cars before, but large price and maybe the sunlight thing killed that.
The price to buy and the total cost are actually a pretty good measure of how “green” it is. The cost of the car is a measure of the resources that go into making the thing. The cost of disposing of dead batteries and buying new ones is part of the cost of resources used.
I may be wrong, but that may not be the full price. I could have sworn they were talking about $125k or perhaps even a little higher, full price. Perhaps they’ve already put down $25k or so as a deposit.
For the money I would buy an Audi A8L or even better, R8.
Yes, and that includes the labor. At first, the Tesla will be built in relatively small numbers. If it's a success, then those numbers will increase and the price would drop.
I don't know if it will be a success, but it's very innovative and we do like innovation, don't we? I won't buy one -- couldn't afford it -- but it represents the type of entrepreneurship I'd expect Freepers to be encouraging instead of disparaging.
R8? A Mazda R8? For $100,000?
“The carbon-fiber laminate support - how will that hold up in the sun for a few years? Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...”
You better stay away from Airbus jets
.
http://www.tapplastics.com/info/carbonnews.php
No, the Audi R8.
None of that matters. Take it home and put it in the garage up on blocks so your great-grandkid will have something to start an impressive collection of antiques with.
Seen yer commercial.......sexy !
:) She really is! (that’s my color, too!)
It is nice... you should be proud and enjoy it as I am sure ya are !
Good luck with it , rubber side down now........Stay safe !
“Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight”
Carbon fiber masts have been used for boats for years now. Paints work on them as well as on other materials.
I have to decide if i recondition my ‘79 or sell it to buy the new Camaro.
Isn’t the question, “Does your car turn you on”........LOL
BTW: check out the videos on that website.
Looks cheap, what is it?
I likey the ‘79.....KEEP IT!
I had a ‘82 Berlinetta I regret sellin also
The carbon itself is fine with sun and heat (Formula One brake rotors are carbon). Potential problems come with workmanship — one bubble or ripple can ruin your whole day — and the type and preparation of the epoxies used in the layup. With proper fabrication quality and a decent ($$$) paintjob, the finished structures will never know they’re outdoors.
I wonder what the shippin cost would be from Hawaii?? that’s gotta be in WAY better shape than my MN raised ‘69!
I agree, American innovation. The car chassis itself may be based on a British design, but the idea of using 6K L-Ion laptop batteries, hook them up to a kick ass electric motor and make a green car that is fun to drive ( 0~60/ 4 sec., 125mph TS), and has a 220 mile range.
So while GM and other were out making boring(ugly), slow heavy EV's these guys did better. Way better.
This is one FReeper who celebrates the accomplishment. If I had a hundred grand to spend on it, I would.
The CTS is indeed an incredible car. Enjoy...I know you will!
I thought a thread just the other day said they went out of business?
from the comments after the article:
It’s a 53KWh battery.
If you tried to use a regular 110V plus (1.85KW), it would take over 29 hours.
If you use a 230V, 30A outlet (like a dryer outlet), it would take over 9 hours.
If you install a 230V, 60A connection (special sub-panel), it’ll take over 5 hours.
(Don’t think I’ll be buying a car that can take 29 hours to fill the tank.)
It is very interesting and may be an example of excellent disruptive innovation coming, as usual, from anyone but the big guys. Certainly it is worth staying tuned.
It is handsome enough.
I think that was an English company with a similar name.
I think I will. It’s a 4 speed and I like the 4bbl because I can “fuss” with it.
My son in Michigan has you beat. I let him use the car while he was in high school but it limited his allowance. He chose the F-250 instead and ran it into the ground.
We have no salt from winter roads.
For most people commuting to work, the range is acceptable, and the charge time wouldn't matter.
How did the car perform in winter tests in ALASKA?
That is the true test of any electric vehicle.
Cold soak the car in -40F temperatures for a week then drive it around if you can. Without a battery heater the whole thing would become a worthless piece of scrap metal because you would have to replace all the frozen batteries.
Maybe, but at least the carbon fiber on the Airbus is painted.
So is the Tesla as is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Restore!! Restore!!!
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