Tesla's founder and CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the EV startup is planning to build a smaller crossover sized about like BMW's popular X3 after it launches its next round of products.Â
At about the same time, the company is looking to further expand its portfolio with another sporting car to spiritually replace its now-discontinued Roadster.Â
The automaker is planning to introduce its Model X midsize crossover and an as-of-yet unnamed compact sedan by 2015, which puts the X3-sized crossover on the market about a year later. Its Model S midsize sedan (pictured) is now on sale.Â
"We will do the X3 equivalent and then a Roadster follow-up in parallel," Musk told Wired.
While the crossover would undoubtedly be the higher-volume model, both represent a signficant step toward Musk's goal of creating an EV brand with a full portfolio of vehicles.Â
Details on both models are sketchy at best, but the ever-elusive Musk did hint that the Roadster replacement will have "supercar performance, but not supercar pricing."
That's not all that different than the first Roadster, which offered Ferrari-like performance thanks to its powertrain and nimble roadholding thanks to its Lotus-sourced structure. However, the next sporty car from Tesla isn't likely to follow the Roadster's spirit. Instead, potential shoppers should look for a homegrown platform and ultra-light materials.Â
