Tesla Roadster (2008) vs Tesla Roadster 2
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| TeslaRoadster (2008) | TeslaRoadster 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2008 | July 2009 |
| Performance | ||
| Powertrain | Electric | Electric |
| Power | 248 bhp | – |
| Engine or motors | The 2008 owner manual, revised in January 2009, specifies an air-cooled AC induction motor rated at 375 V, 14,000 rpm and 248 HP (185 kW) at 5,500–6,800 rpm for the single-speed car. Later Roadster 2 and 2.5 generations are separate entries. | 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. |
| Torque | Tesla’s September 2008 powertrain announcement lists 286 Nm (211 lb-ft) for the earlier drivetrain and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) for the new single-speed drivetrain. The revised 2008 manual instead lists 277 lb-ft (376 Nm); these documentary differences are retained explicitly. | 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. |
| Gearbox | The first production cars used an interim transmission. During 2008 Tesla introduced a BorgWarner single-speed gearbox and offered earlier owners a free powertrain upgrade. The revised 2008 manual gives an overall ratio of 8.27:1. | 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. | 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. |
| 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 | The revised 2008 manual gives width 1,851 mm including mirrors, height 1,126.5 mm at mid-laden weight and wheelbase 2,351 mm. Its 1,235 kg kerb weight excludes occupants and cargo; mid-laden dimensions 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’s 2010 S-1 filing explicitly says its first Roadster was physically delivered in February 2008. Regular production followed in March; the single-speed powertrain update was announced in September 2008. The reviews concern that updated car, before the Roadster 2 cabin and Sport launch in 2009. | 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. |
| Range and charging | ||
| Range detail | Tesla’s September 2008 announcement gives 244 miles on the US EPA combined cycle for the new single-speed drivetrain, versus the previously announced 221 miles. The original interim-transmission claim was 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds; the September announcement gives 3.9 seconds for the new drivetrain. Neither EPA range nor 0–60 mph is entered as WLTP or 0–62 mph. | 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. |
| Charging | The revised 2008 owner manual describes proprietary AC charging and a lithium-ion battery with 6,831 cells. | 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. |
| 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. |
| Driver assistance | Anti-lock braking and traction control. Unassisted steering, as described in both period single-speed road tests. | Anti-lock braking and traction control. Rack-and-pinion steering has no power assistance, as described in both period road tests. |