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Lightweight Roadster Variant?

Discussion in 'Roadster 2022' started by tonybelding, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. tonybelding

    tonybelding Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2006
    Messages:
    1,471
    Location:
    Hamilton, Texas
    So here’s a thought experiment…

    Take the Roadster and remove the front motor, and make it rear wheel drive only. Then take out about half of the battery.

    The hoped-for result: lower cost, considerably lower mass, no torque steer, more "classic" RWD sports car handling characteristics. However, it would sacrifice those world-record range and acceleration specs.

    Would anyone find this interesting? Maybe as a limited edition?
     
  2. Ostrichsak

    Ostrichsak Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2018
    Messages:
    3,178
    Location:
    Colorado, USA
    I was actually thinking this same thing a while back.

    What if I don't need 250mph, 0.60 in ~1.5 seconds, 620+ miles of range for a quarter million dollars? I, for one, would much prefer a car that does 0-60 around North of 2-seconds, 325-350ish miles of range (one has to assume that the car would be more efficient based on lower weight making the range slightly more than 50%) and the price could likely be tens of thousands less given how expensive the full size pack will likely be to produce. It would have better handling mannerisms and would be more sportier rather than just a raw straight line warrior.

    I'd love to see something like this. In the end, I'll likely just go with the Plaid Plus at some point and just pretend it looks like a Next Gen Roadster. lol
     
  3. tonybelding

    tonybelding Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2006
    Messages:
    1,471
    Location:
    Hamilton, Texas
    Well, we already have a Model S with 400+ miles range and 100 KWh battery. Seems to me a Roadster with the same battery capacity and less frontal area (thus, less drag) should at least match that, if not beat it. On the other hand. . . Removing the front motor would compromise regen. That would matter more in city driving, as opposed to the highway driving that I think most of us care about. It might end up sort of like the Taycan, with disappointing EPA combined cycle range but actually a fair bit better when cruising the open road.
     
  4. GeorgeSymonds

    GeorgeSymonds Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2018
    Messages:
    840
    Location:
    UK
    I was thinking that but also the other way. What if they made LR version of the roadster at a $30-40k premium over the MS LR? It might be $75k less than the full fat version so much more affordable and for many they don't need the performance or that extreme range but just want the look and it would probably still be plenty fast enough. Bit like Merc do with the S class coupe.
     

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