2012 Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5

Basic Specs

Base Price TBA
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 2723
City (MPG) TBD
Hwy (MPG) TBD
Horsepower 288@4400-6000
Torque (lb-ft) 295@0-5100
Wheelbase 92.6
Length (in.) 155.1
Width (in.) 72.9
Height (in.) 44.4

With production of its Roadster sports car well underway, Tesla Motors has added a more powerful variant to its line of electric two-seaters. Called the Roadster Sport, the EV delivers 15 percent more peak power than the base model, not to mention improved handling and unique paint job with carbon accents.

The Roadster Sport does zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds -- compared to 3.9 seconds for the standard edition. This puts it in the same league as some very exotic -- and far more expensive -- sports cars.

This is achieved from a peak rating of 288 horsepower (same as the current standard Roadster, but 40 more than the original Roadster at launch), but a boost from 273 to 295 lb-ft of torque. It is this extra torque that shaves another .2 seconds off of the acceleration time, with no discernible sacrifice to range (same as the standard model with 245 miles).

"This car can beat nearly anything in its price class - yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans," said Michael van der Sande, Tesla 's senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. "If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option."

The Sport's electric motor comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama A048 Ultra High Performance tires, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver's preference.

The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and $112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Tesla has delivered more than 500 examples of the original Roadster to customers, and hundreds more are on the waiting list. Customers who haven't taken delivery may switch their order to the Roadster Sport.

"The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla's spirit of continuous improvement," said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. "The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status."

The battery pack is warrantied for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Key competitors
Because of the fact that the Roadster Sport is a pure EV sportscar, it technically does not have a direct competitor. However, the Fisker Karma is a similarly eco-minded sporty vehicle that may appeal to some cross-shoppers, while the Lotus Evora delivers relatively comparable looks and driving dynamics, albeit with a thirsty V6 engine and a fixed roof.

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    • General
    • Body Style: Roadster
    • Size: Compact
    • Market Segment: Performance
    • Weight: 2723 lbs
    • Exterior
    • Length: 155.1 in.
    • Width: 72.9 in.
    • Height: 44.4 in.
    • Wheelbase: 92.6 in.
    • Ground Clearance: 5.1 in.
    • Front Track: 57.7 in.
    • Rear Track: 59.0 in.
    • Weight Distribution: TBD
    • Drag Coefficient: TBD
    • Interior - General
    • Seats: 2
    • Passenger Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume: TBD
    • Leg Room: 42.0 in.
    • Head Room: 36.7 in.
    • Shoulder Room: 26.0 in.
    • Hip Room: N/A
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type: Electric
    • Engine Type: -
    • Power: 288 hp @ 4400-6000 rpm
    • Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 0-5100 rpm
    • Transmission:
    • Highway Fuel Economy: TBD
    • City Fuel Economy: TBD
    • Forced Induction: None
    • Direct Injection: No
    • Chassis
    • Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
    • Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone
    • Wheels
    • Front: 16" Aluminum
    • Front Tires: 175/55 R16
    • Rear: 17" Aluminum
    • Rear Tires: 225/45 R17
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight: N/A
    • Payload:
    • Tongue Weight: N/A

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