New images for Tesla's more powerful Roadster Sport

Posted Mon Jan 19 2009 6:55 PM by Ralph Hanson

The Tesla Roadster Sport develops 15% more power than the 248hp (185kW) Roadster

Tesla has delivered 150 all-electric Roadsters to its first lucky customers and still has another 1,100 or so eagerly awaiting their chance to hop behind the wheel of the $100,000 sports car, but despite the backlog the company has decided to add a new model to its lineup. The new car is called the Roadster Sport and it is essentially a more powerful version of the existing Roadster.

The Roadster Sport has 15% more peak power than the 248hp (185kW) Roadster and will go from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds (the standard model takes 3.9 seconds). The vehicle also comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque (the stator is the stationary part of an electric generator or electric motor). The motor still spins to a redline of 14,000rpm, with drive being sent to the rear wheels via the upgraded gearbox found in the 'powertrain 1.5' package.

In addition to high-performance Yokohama tires, the Roadster Sport also has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver's preference.

Tesla plans to start taking orders for the new model from today, and has priced it at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. First deliveries are scheduled to start in late June, and anyone who has already ordered the standard Roadster can upgrade to the new Roadster Sport.