Tesla · Roadster

Roadster 2.5

Released July 2010

The 2010 revision of Tesla's two-seat electric sports car, with new exterior panels, revised seats and power-control hardware for hot climates.

Model history · 3 models, 2008–2010

2008Roadster (2008)Compare
2009Roadster 2 Compare
2010Roadster 2.5

Body: Convertible
Powertrain: Electric
Power: 288 bhp
Range: –
Boot: –

Electric

What reviewers say

MotoringFile and Consumer Guide praise the Sport's immediate acceleration and cornering grip, but find parking effort high and cabin space limited. MotoringFile appreciates the revised seats and quiet drivetrain; Consumer Guide criticises awkward entry and wind noise with the soft top. Both find charging and reduced real-world range limit longer journeys.

From motoringfile.com and blog.consumerguide.com

Specifications

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Performance

Powertrain: Electric
Power: 288 bhp
Engine or motors: Air-cooled AC induction motor with variable-frequency drive, rated at 375 V and 14,000 rpm. The manual lists 288 HP (215 kW) at 5,000–6,000 rpm for Roadster and 4,400–6,000 rpm for Sport. Updated power-control hardware supports driving in exceptionally hot climates.
Torque: Standard 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) at 0–5,400 rpm; Sport 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) at 0–5,100 rpm.
Gearbox: Single-speed fixed reduction with an electrically actuated parking lock; overall final-drive ratio 8.27:1. Reverse uses the motor turning in the opposite direction.
Drive: Rear-wheel drive. Independent unequal-length wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers; Sport adds adjustable damping and anti-roll bars. Directional forged wheels were introduced in silver or black.

Practicality

Body: Convertible
Seats: 2
Length: 3,946 mm
Weight: From 1,235 kg
Towing: Trailer towing is not permitted.
Size: Width 1,851 mm including mirrors; height 1,127 mm at mid-laden weight; wheelbase 2,351 mm. The manual's 1,235 kg kerb weight excludes occupants and cargo; mid-laden figures include two 75 kg occupants.
Release and generation details: Tesla's annual filing states that Roadster 2.5 was released in July 2010 as an upgrade to Roadster 2. The 1 July announcement opened orders and described worldwide store availability as forthcoming, so that announcement day is not presented as the first delivery day. US road tests call it the 2011 model-year car.

Range and charging

Range detail: Tesla's 2011 annual filing quotes 245 miles per charge for the Roadster on the US EPA combined cycle, not WLTP. Consumer Guide describes a 244-mile advertised figure for its exact 2.5 Sport test. Period tests cite Tesla's 0–60 mph claims of 3.9 seconds for standard or 3.7 for Sport; these are not 0–62 mph figures.
Charging: Proprietary AC charging connection. The exact 2.5 manual lists charge times at 70 A/240 V of 4 hours in Standard mode or 4.5 hours in Range mode; at 13 A/240 V, 18 or 20 hours respectively. The lithium-ion battery contains 6,831 cells. Repeated Range-mode charging reduces cell life, according to the manual.
CO2 emissions: No tailpipe emissions.

Tech and safety

Infotainment: Optional 7-inch touchscreen with reversing camera. Revised seats have larger bolsters and lumbar support; new front-fender liner material reduces cabin noise.
Driver assistance: Anti-lock braking and traction control; optional reversing camera. Period tests describe unassisted steering.

Pros and cons

Pros

Sport offers a higher-torque motor with adjustable suspension.
Revised seats add lumbar support and larger side bolsters.
Optional touchscreen navigation and reversing camera.

Cons

Two seats and no permitted trailer towing.
Proprietary AC charging; charge times depend on the available supply.

Closest rivals

Model	Body	Powertrain	Power	Range	Boot	Released
TeslaRoadster 2	Convertible	Electric	–	–	–	Jul 2009
TeslaRoadster (2008)	Convertible	Electric	248 bhp	–	–	Feb 2008
MazdaMX-5	Convertible	Petrol	130–181 bhp	–	130 l	Aug 2015

Previous model: Roadster 2.

Sources

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