2013 Tesla Roadster

Tesla Updates Iconic Roadster for 2012 in Limited Markets

Latest Roadster offers new innovations and options for Europe and Asia

Tesla Motors announced today that the iconic Tesla Roadster is now available with new innovations and options, but only in limited markets. The last version of the historic, limited-production electric supercar will only be available in Europe, Asia and Australia.

'The Tesla Roadster is the first and only of its kind: an electric sports car with exhilarating performance, zero emissions and gorgeous looks,' said Tesla Vice President of Communications, Ricardo Reyes. 'This latest version embodies Tesla's commitment to constant improvement. These Roadsters are our best ever.'

New options and enhanced features of the updated Roadster include:
•Exclusive encore colors - Cosmic Black, Galactic Gray and Magma Orange - with new, complimentary interior colors
•A rear snow cover and improved motor and inverter systems for even better performance in snow and ice
•Improved air conditioning for driver comfort in the hottest months
•Xenon headlamps ideal for rural night driving
•Enhanced front windscreen seals to make the cabin even quieter
•Two new Mobile Connectors available for charging in Europe and Japan
•The Tesla IEC Type 2 (Mennekes) Mobile Connector enables charging from Type 2 stations and outlets, the most common EV charging infrastructure in Europe
•The J1772 Mobile Connector enables charging from a developing infrastructure of public J1772 charge stations in Japan

Úpdated Roadsters are available now in Europe, Asia and Australia, while they last.

Over 2100 current Roadster owners in at least 31 countries have logged more than 18 million electric miles – and counting.

Source - Tesla

100th Swiss Tesla Roadster Hits the Road

Swiss architect demonstrates his commitment to a sustainable future

ZÚRICH – Today Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) delivers the 100th Roadster in Switzerland to its new owner Martin Meier just four months after the first anniversary of the opening of Tesla's Zurich Store. The Swiss architect received the keys of his Obsidian Black electric Roadster from George Blankenship, Tesla's Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Ownership Experience.

'The main reason I bought the Roadster is that I don't want to explain to my young daughter why I didn't do more for the environment,' said Meier, who bought the Roadster with his business partner. 'From now on, I'll drive entirely emissions-free with electric power derived from the river next to my house. It feels great to be completely independent of the oil industry.'

Switzerland has the highest per capita Tesla ownership of any country. 'The fact that Switzerland has embraced the Roadster makes complete sense. Swiss consumers are thought leaders who seek out cutting edge technology as well as environmentally-responsible solutions,' explains Blankenship. 'The Roadster, a revolutionary high-performance sports car with zero emissions that can be charged completely with renewable energy, offers all of this, and more.'

The Roadster accelerates faster than most supercars yet produces no emissions. It consumes no petroleum and plugs into conventional sockets – in owners' garages or offices, hotels, parking decks or at a growing number of charging stations throughout Switzerland. Several Swiss customers charge their Roadsters on 100 percent solar power from their photovoltaic panels.

Únlike petrol-powered vehicles, the single-speed Roadster does not require oxygen and therefore does not lose efficiency at altitude. Roadster owners can drive with utmost confidence on Alpine passes, enjoying the car's legendary torque without lag or downshifting. Regenerative braking allows the Roadster to recover energy on downhill stretches. Sophisticated power management software means the Roadster's revolutionary traction control is almost instantaneous.

Source - Tesla

Tesla Roadster Breaks Ground By Recording Race Time at Goodwood

Tesla Roadster to be First Electric Car to Set Time on Hill Climb at Goodwood Festival of Speed

LONDON - Electric carmaker Tesla Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) today announced that the Tesla Roadster will be the first production electric car to record a time in the prestigious Hill Climb event at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, held at Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex. The car's participation in this event marks yet another historic 'first' for the Tesla Roadster.

Goodwood Festival of Speed is the largest car culture festival in the world, with a distinctive atmosphere of luxury and excitement pervading its celebration of historic and contemporary motorsport. The Hill Climb event is a highlight of the Festival, combining a diverse and authentic array of cars and motorbikes with a star-studded line-up of drivers. Only the most significant cars in the history of international motorsport are invited to participate in the Hill Climb, which takes place on the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House. The Tesla Roadster, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, and traveling over 200 miles on a single charge, sets a high bar for both zero-emissions vehicles and supercars, proving that drivers need not compromise on performance or design to go electric.

'Tesla is deeply honoured that the Roadster is the first production electric car invited to set a time in the Hill Climb,' said Gian Avignone, Tesla's Country Manager for ÚK and Ireland. 'The Roadster's performance is sure to bring a new dimension to this year's Festival.'

Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from Thursday, June 30 through Sunday, July 3. On Friday and Saturday, the Roadster will engage in two Hill Climb practice sessions, with the final two timed runs on Sunday. A 2011 Roadster Sport also will be shown in the Supercar Run each day at approximately 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Source - Tesla

Tesla unveils high power charging network from Lands End to John o'Groats

Tesla Roadster to be the first electric car to traverse Great Britain on historic drive

Electric carmaker Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) announced today that it has partnered with ÚK hotels and tourist destinations to install a high power charging network, comprised of ten charge stations throughout Great Britain.

Each charge station is privately owned and available for public use, either provided free or for a nominal fee. The network is the result of a grass-roots effort by Roadster drivers and forward-thinking hotels and resorts (see list below). Now Roadster owners can enjoy their cars' breathtaking acceleration and 212 mile range as they tour Great Britain, and conveniently recharge while having a meal, using leisure facilities, or indulging in an overnight stay. Tesla's High Power Connector (HPC) delivers a whopping 70 amps of electricity, fully charging an empty battery in less than three hours, and 'topping off' a partially-charged battery in a fraction of that time. Complimenting the HPC network, Zero Carbon World, a charity dedicated to creating a clean energy future, has installed medium power connectors (MPCs), delivering 32 amps, at several sites throughout Britain. Tesla's forthcoming Model S luxury saloon also can charge on the entire network.

An historic drive, from John o'Groats on Scotland's northeast tip, to Land's End on the southwest English coast, will combine the Roadster's long range with the network's high power charging. On Saturday, May 21, Kevin Sharpe, founder of Zero Carbon World, will set off from John o'Groats in his electric blue Tesla Roadster along with EV expert David Peilow, both taking turns at the wheel. They expect to reach Lands End on Sunday, with stops to charge up using Tesla HPCs along the way.

'The long range of Tesla vehicles and fast charging at popular destinations via Tesla's HPC make convenient, emissions-free driving throughout Britain a reality,' said Gian Avignone, Tesla's Country Manager for ÚK and Ireland.

'After crossing the country on a single charge in a Tesla Roadster, I realised that national coverage would require surprisingly few charge stations,' said David Peilow. 'I worked out the minimum number of sites for all of Britain to be reached, and found locations where drivers would be keen to stop and recharge. Once the benefits of hosting an EV charger were explained, most sites jumped at the chance to have one.'

'The new network embodies Zero Carbon World's vision of a carbon-free society, and shows that eliminating fossil fuel emissions is well within our grasp,' said Kevin Sharpe. 'The network empowers people to make choices that are pleasurable and consistent with their values of environmental stewardship. I'm thrilled to be the first EV owner to make the drive from John o'Groats to Lands End.'

Sharpe's Roadster will make the following stops on Saturday and Sunday. Stay apprised at www.teslamotors.com/endtoend, which provides a real time map, links to the drivers' twitter feeds, along with other information.
•John o'Groats (KW1 4YR) HPC – Saturday 21 May @ 9 a.m.
•Macdonald Aviemore Resort (PH22 1PN) (HPC)
•Dalmahoy, a Marriott Hotel and Country Club, Kirknewton EH27 8EB (HPC)
•Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham DH1 5TL (HPC)
•The Nottingham Belfry – Q Hotels NG8 6PY (HPC)
•The Arden Hotel and Leisure Club, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EH (32 amp)
•The Castle Hotel at Taunton TA1 1NF (HPC)
•Land's End TR19 7AA – Sunday 22 May 2011

Additional HPCs can be found at Westmorland Tebay Services and the Heathrow/Windsor Marriott Hotel; two more will be available soon at The Moat House Hotel at Acton Trussell and the Ashford International Hotel - Kent. A resort in South Wales also will host an HPC. Further, Zero Carbon World has installed MPCs at the Whitesands Lands End Hotel and Ackergill Tower. These additional stations give Roadster drivers even greater flexibility to explore Britain.

Source - Tesla