Tesla Roadster 2 vs Tesla Roadster 2.5
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| TeslaRoadster 2 | TeslaRoadster 2.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2009 | July 2010 |
| Performance | ||
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Power | – | 288 bhp |
| Engine or motors | Air-cooled AC induction motor with variable-frequency drive, rated at 375 V and 14,000 rpm. Tesla's hosted 2.0 manual lists 248 HP (185 kW) without a separate Sport rating; contemporary MotorTrend and Winding Road Sport tests describe 288 hp. The conflicting power figures are not combined into a single rating. | 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 | Tesla's 2.0 manual lists 277 lb-ft (376 Nm) without distinguishing the Sport; MotorTrend's exact Sport test reports 273 lb-ft for the standard car and 295 lb-ft for Sport. | 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. | 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. Sport adds adjustable damping and anti-roll bars; the standard car uses independent unequal-length wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers. | 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 | Convertible |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Length | 3,946 mm | 3,946 mm |
| Weight | From 1,235 kg | From 1,235 kg |
| Towing | Trailer towing is not permitted. | 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. | 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 reported in July 2009 that deliveries of the 2010-model-year Roadster and Sport had begun that month. A later filing describes a June 2009 launch; the actual-delivery statement supports July here. Right-hand-drive deliveries followed in January 2010, according to Tesla’s annual filing. | 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 July 2009 delivery announcement quotes an estimated 244 miles per charge, not WLTP. Its contemporary standard-car claim is 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds; the Sport announcement quotes 3.7 seconds. These are not 0–62 mph figures. | 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 2.0 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. | 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. | No tailpipe emissions. |
| Tech and safety | ||
| Infotainment | Centre-console touchscreen for vehicle and charging information; its position and the push-button transmission selector distinguish the revised cabin from the earlier car. | 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. Rack-and-pinion steering has no power assistance, as described in both period road tests. | Anti-lock braking and traction control; optional reversing camera. Period tests describe unassisted steering. |