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Tesla Roadster Sport Model

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It is now up on the Tesla Motors Site for reservation:

Tesla Motors - Roadster Sport

Clarification from Tesla marketing email this evening as to who is eligible:

The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries will begin in late June. Customers who haven’t taken delivery – even those whose car is already in production -- may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.
 
I am curious if anything with the sports model will help prevent the overheating problem with continued heavy acceleration? Also is the top-end changed at all?
They don't mention any changes in PEM or ESS so I assume the whole improvement comes from "Power motor: Hand wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque"

If this optimization alone improves the max acceleration for 5% I'd assume this handwound stator delivers more torque for the same ammount of ESS current. This also translates into better EPA range and average range. 5% improvement would mean 255mile range
 
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Power motor: Hand wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque
0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds
Custom tuned suspension: Adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars tuned to driver's preference
Dark finish forged alloy Tesla wheels
Tires: Yokohama A048 Ultra High Performance

Spirited driving is assumed so it doesn't make much difference that the maximum range is likely to be reduced.

Motor cooling will be the main issue. Can anything be done about this?
 
Re: "I cannot even imagine the difference in Peformance mode"

There seems to a general misconception that Performance mode is something extra hot. In fact, it is just a special *charging* mode which allows the battery to be charged up to 100% (like Range mode but without the power limitation) plus a slight relaxation of the temperature limits on the motor etc. There is NO difference in performance.

This may change in a future firmware release.
 
Motor cooling will be the main issue. Can anything be done about this?
The cooling issuse is not worse, acctualy it is better.

The sport eddition (Sport) has higher max performance than standard version (Standard) but if you drive Sport at performance levels of Standard than the motor will overheat LATER because at the same performance it now producess less heat.

With handwounding the stator they have improved the heat issue.

Spirited driving is assumed so it doesn't make much difference that the maximum range is likely to be reduced.
I think not, it may even be improved. They have increased the motor efficiency, it now wastes less energy, and they haven't increased the consumption. The range might suffer because of different tyres.
 
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Sport "Picture"?

ViewMedia?mgid=167897&vid=5&download=1.jpg


It would look that way to me....guess we will see what comes out in the Press Release...

I am stupid...didn't look at the TM site until now...LOL

O WAH TA NA SI AM...

if you dont get that last line...read it out loud 10 times fast...

if you still don't get it...have someone listen to you read it 10 times out loud...
 
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I like what they're trying to do here with the interior. E.g. push button "gear" select, moving the VDS to the center console, proper glove box, etc. But I'm not sure I quite like the execution. Putting the climate control back in the Elise position (and off the center console), eliminates some possibly good after market solutions for the single DIN NAV/radio. Also I'm not sure the VDS is more safely visible to the driver in that position. You may have to reach harder to control the touch screen.

What I'd like to see: RFID keyless entry and ingnition. Push button start (one of those center console buttons might be "engine" start). Double DIN sized dash monitor for NAV possibly integrated with VDS (though they likely have to keep single DIN to not have to recertify the airbags).
 
I got a few questions answered today about the Sport model.

1) There is a special color for the Sport model. They will all be the red color in the picture. It is different from Radiant and Fusion red. The Sport model is only coming in this new shade of red for a few reasons. I didn't get the full reasons why.

2) The "sport" option is technically a 2009 model option. However people with an undelivered 2008 model can delay their vehicle and still get the Sport option. For example, my Roadster delivery date is around April. If I want the sport model, my glider would stay at Tesla until June and then I would take delivery.

I upgraded to a 2008 model and got a new VIN number.

After seeing the new interior pictures with the screens in the middle and the push button info, that looks really hot.
I am now leaning towards doing the upgrade.
 
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Congratulations! What is your new number?

The new number just went out the window with the Sport upgrade.

I had a 2008 VIN number assigned to me, but with the sport model, everyone who has a 2008 model VIN will be delayed until June 2009.

I would likely have taken delivery of my 2009 (#869) in September or October.
My new 2008 VIN was due for delivery in April or so.

But with the new scenario of the Sport model on a 2008 VIN, then those get put at the very beginning of the 2009 model year deliveries which are likely in June 2009.

This is all very preliminary and nothing is confirmed yet. The salespeople at Tesla are still trying to get full details from the senior executives.

There is only the new Red exterior color available for the Sport model. Different from Fusion and Radiant. It is more matte in color. It has something to due with the extra carbon fiber on the exterior and this limits the color painting scheme.

I have a question in to inquire about interior color options. I don't know if it is only that black color or if two tone premium leather is still an option.

He mentioned something about interior custom stiching in the leather.

The new design of the interior console, and moving everything to the center with push button gear shifting, looks MUCH better to me.