2011 Tesla Roadster Convertible Review
The 2011 Tesla Roadster has been updated to "Version 2.5," in Tesla's Silicon Valley argot. Based on a heavily revised platfo...
https://newsvehicles.blogspot.com/2011/09/2011-tesla-roadster-convertible-review.html
The 2011 Tesla Roadster has been updated to "Version 2.5," in Tesla's Silicon Valley argot. Based on a heavily revised platform borrowed from the Lotus Elise, the Tesla Roadster was first unveiled in 2006. Volume deliveries began early in 2009 at a price of $109,000 for the standard Tesla Roadster, and $128,500 for the even quicker Roadster Sport
In the beginning, there was the Tesla Roadster. The "Tesla Roadster" has been on the road since 2008, yet only now is there another all-electric car for sale -- the Nissan Leaf. It's also a certifiable sports car, with staggeringly quick and quiet acceleration paired with razor-sharp handling. Like the Elise, the Tesla Roadster has the most cramped cabin of any car sold in this country. The 2011 Tesla Roadster is a two-seat convertible available in two trim levels. The Tesla Roadster 2.5 comes standard with cast aluminum wheels (16-inch front, 17-inch rear), a removable soft top, cruise control, air-conditioning, leather upholstery, heated seats, power windows and locks, a spare mobile electric connector, a touch screen electronics interface, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The 2.5 Sport adds more power, forged alloy wheels and an adjustable suspension. Options include special charging connectors, a body-color or carbon-fiber hardtop, winter tires, and carbon-fiber exterior styling flourishes, upgraded leather upholstery and extended interior leather trim. The Infotainment group adds a larger touch screen interface, a navigation system, a rearview camera and a seven-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, satellite radio and HD radio.
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is equipped with a 375-volt AC-induction air-cooled electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base Tesla Roadster goes from zero to 60 mph in a Tesla-estimated 3.9 seconds. Tesla says the Roadster's lithium-ion battery has a maximum range of 245 miles. The Tesla Roadster comes with antilock brakes and traction control. Like the Lotus Elise on which it is based, the tiny 2011 Tesla Roadster features a rather Spartan interior. Sports cars rarely provide an abundance of space, but even among this cramped segment, the Tesla Roadster's cabin is confining and difficult to enter and exit. For 2011, Tesla thankfully has reshaped the seats and included additional sound insulation, which improves cabin comfort.
You'd think that an electric car would have electric power steering, but the Tesla Roadster in fact has zero power steering, and this makes for superb response and feel but a lousy time in parking lots.
Likes:
• Acceleration on a par with most supercars
• Smooth, stunning rush of power
• Green image, green credentials
• Further refinement to seats and noise suppression
Dislikes:
• Range falls far below 200 miles if driven hard
• Minimal storage space anywhere
• Recharging cord shamefully costs extra
• Appearance options abound; extra features don't
Buying Tips:
Unless you live in an area that gets frequent snow, the carbon-fiber hardtop doesn't add much. Why buy an open-top, two-seat sports car if you're not going to keep the roof off whenever possible?
A recent poll suggested that 40% of Americans were interested in driving an electric car. If they knew what the Tesla Roadster was all about, that number would likely be 100%.
Heavier, of course, being a relative term, since the Elise weighs just less than 2,000 lbs, while the Tesla, electric drive train and all, is about 2,700 lbs. That’s 400 lbs less than a Honda Civic Si, considered a “compact” car by the EPA.
Like all great sports cars, the Tesla is best driven under ideal conditions; glass smooth roads, sunny weather and little traffic. The weather held up, and the car performed admirably in stop-and-go situations, but if you live in an area with poor roads, the Tesla might be a bit of a chore. Fire your chiropractor if you drive a Tesla over railway tracks, potholes or manhole covers, because the rigor mortis-like rigidity and high spring rates will re-align your spine multiple times per second with a sickening thud every time you meet an imperfection in the road.
In city driving, the Tesla is quiet, comfortable and easy to maneuver. The single speed transmission and the progressive nature of the regenerative braking (as opposed to the abrupt deceleration of the MINI E) means that the brakes only need to be used to bring the car to a dead stop mere feet from a stop sign. Slow speed movements and U turns require some muscle thanks to the manual steering, but one easily adapts to this quirk. Unlike an exotic car, the Tesla seems to inspire goodwill among pedestrians and other motorists.
STIFF RIDE, LOW-GRADE TRIM AMONG DRAWBACKS
As incredible as it is, the Tesla has its drawbacks beyond the stiff ride. Space inside is tight as well; if you take someone on a date in a Tesla, you will undoubtedly be getting fresh by accident when you apply the parking brake or move your upper body. If you’re a female, wearing a skirt or dress is strongly discouraged, thanks to the high doorsills and difficult entry and exit procedure – unless of course, you’re an aspiring Paris Hilton. With an estimated range of 250 miles the Tesla isn’t a long distance car, and your mileage may vary.
The Tesla Roadster 2.5 S is a massively impressive vehicle, more spacecraft than sports car. Theories like global warming, peak oil and rising oil prices should no longer bring heart palpitations to car fans. The Tesla shows just how good zero-emissions “green” technology can be.
Quite frankly, getting into a normal car at the end of the test drive was a major letdown.
The Bottom Line:
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is a classic, open-top two-seat sports car with handling and performance among the best, plus unsurpassed green creed. But drive it fast and often, and your range falls below 200 miles.
In the beginning, there was the Tesla Roadster. The "Tesla Roadster" has been on the road since 2008, yet only now is there another all-electric car for sale -- the Nissan Leaf. It's also a certifiable sports car, with staggeringly quick and quiet acceleration paired with razor-sharp handling. Like the Elise, the Tesla Roadster has the most cramped cabin of any car sold in this country. The 2011 Tesla Roadster is a two-seat convertible available in two trim levels. The Tesla Roadster 2.5 comes standard with cast aluminum wheels (16-inch front, 17-inch rear), a removable soft top, cruise control, air-conditioning, leather upholstery, heated seats, power windows and locks, a spare mobile electric connector, a touch screen electronics interface, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The 2.5 Sport adds more power, forged alloy wheels and an adjustable suspension. Options include special charging connectors, a body-color or carbon-fiber hardtop, winter tires, and carbon-fiber exterior styling flourishes, upgraded leather upholstery and extended interior leather trim. The Infotainment group adds a larger touch screen interface, a navigation system, a rearview camera and a seven-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, satellite radio and HD radio.
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is equipped with a 375-volt AC-induction air-cooled electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base Tesla Roadster goes from zero to 60 mph in a Tesla-estimated 3.9 seconds. Tesla says the Roadster's lithium-ion battery has a maximum range of 245 miles. The Tesla Roadster comes with antilock brakes and traction control. Like the Lotus Elise on which it is based, the tiny 2011 Tesla Roadster features a rather Spartan interior. Sports cars rarely provide an abundance of space, but even among this cramped segment, the Tesla Roadster's cabin is confining and difficult to enter and exit. For 2011, Tesla thankfully has reshaped the seats and included additional sound insulation, which improves cabin comfort.
You'd think that an electric car would have electric power steering, but the Tesla Roadster in fact has zero power steering, and this makes for superb response and feel but a lousy time in parking lots.
Likes:
• Acceleration on a par with most supercars
• Smooth, stunning rush of power
• Green image, green credentials
• Further refinement to seats and noise suppression
Dislikes:
• Range falls far below 200 miles if driven hard
• Minimal storage space anywhere
• Recharging cord shamefully costs extra
• Appearance options abound; extra features don't
Buying Tips:
Unless you live in an area that gets frequent snow, the carbon-fiber hardtop doesn't add much. Why buy an open-top, two-seat sports car if you're not going to keep the roof off whenever possible?
A recent poll suggested that 40% of Americans were interested in driving an electric car. If they knew what the Tesla Roadster was all about, that number would likely be 100%.
Heavier, of course, being a relative term, since the Elise weighs just less than 2,000 lbs, while the Tesla, electric drive train and all, is about 2,700 lbs. That’s 400 lbs less than a Honda Civic Si, considered a “compact” car by the EPA.
Like all great sports cars, the Tesla is best driven under ideal conditions; glass smooth roads, sunny weather and little traffic. The weather held up, and the car performed admirably in stop-and-go situations, but if you live in an area with poor roads, the Tesla might be a bit of a chore. Fire your chiropractor if you drive a Tesla over railway tracks, potholes or manhole covers, because the rigor mortis-like rigidity and high spring rates will re-align your spine multiple times per second with a sickening thud every time you meet an imperfection in the road.
In city driving, the Tesla is quiet, comfortable and easy to maneuver. The single speed transmission and the progressive nature of the regenerative braking (as opposed to the abrupt deceleration of the MINI E) means that the brakes only need to be used to bring the car to a dead stop mere feet from a stop sign. Slow speed movements and U turns require some muscle thanks to the manual steering, but one easily adapts to this quirk. Unlike an exotic car, the Tesla seems to inspire goodwill among pedestrians and other motorists.
STIFF RIDE, LOW-GRADE TRIM AMONG DRAWBACKS
As incredible as it is, the Tesla has its drawbacks beyond the stiff ride. Space inside is tight as well; if you take someone on a date in a Tesla, you will undoubtedly be getting fresh by accident when you apply the parking brake or move your upper body. If you’re a female, wearing a skirt or dress is strongly discouraged, thanks to the high doorsills and difficult entry and exit procedure – unless of course, you’re an aspiring Paris Hilton. With an estimated range of 250 miles the Tesla isn’t a long distance car, and your mileage may vary.
The Tesla Roadster 2.5 S is a massively impressive vehicle, more spacecraft than sports car. Theories like global warming, peak oil and rising oil prices should no longer bring heart palpitations to car fans. The Tesla shows just how good zero-emissions “green” technology can be.
Quite frankly, getting into a normal car at the end of the test drive was a major letdown.
The Bottom Line:
The 2011 Tesla Roadster is a classic, open-top two-seat sports car with handling and performance among the best, plus unsurpassed green creed. But drive it fast and often, and your range falls below 200 miles.
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