Does anyone expect the next version of the Roadster to include a few features to make people fit into the car a little better like moveable steering column and seats? A slightly taller windshield would help taller drivers too.
Dave
Dave
You can install our site as a web app on your iOS device by utilizing the Add to Home Screen feature in Safari. Please see this thread for more details on this.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Agreed. They don't need the revenue burn of redesigning the Roadster yet.Although I'd love to see a next-gen roadster, I'd be surprised if Tesla rolls one out before the model-S gets into
production. Something like a larger windshield would entail a major redesign; if they do make some improvements
to the roadster, my best guesses would be:
1. changes to reduce mfgr cost of the PEM and battery pack.
2. upsell option of using higher energy-density cells / longer range.
3. up-to-date airbag leveraging off of work done at Lotus
4. Any misc changes Lotus makes to the platform that are easily ported including tilt steering, etc.
5. electric power steering.
Yeah, that's kind of what I figured. It looks like the 2011 Lotus Elise will be slightly bigger so maybe they'll use that.
Yeah, that's kind of what I figured. It looks like the 2011 Lotus Elise will be slightly bigger so maybe they'll use that.
To be fair, wasn't the design exterior styling originally done by Lotus (there was a styling contest if I remember correctly)?Have you seen the Evora? A Tesla big brother.
I talked to Franz about it. He agreed that Lotus ripped off the Tesla's styling but conceded that they would never admit it.
To be fair, wasn't the design exterior styling originally done by Lotus (there was a styling contest if I remember correctly)?
Lotus has had considerable influence since the inception. Lotus provided design assistance and furnished the basic chassis development technology from the Lotus Elise. The styling was developed by Barney Hatt at Lotus' design studio however he did consult with Tesla engineers. It was Tesla engineers who decided to use resin transfer molded carbon fiber to construct the body panels.
Does anyone expect the next version of the Roadster to include a few features to make people fit into the car a little better like moveable steering column and seats? A slightly taller windshield would help taller drivers too.
I anticipate that Roadster 3.0 will be:
#1: Larger both inside and out.
#2: More luxurious and comfortable.
#3: Weigh more.
#4: Be slightly less sporty. (Probably power steering, higher off the ground seating position.)
#5: Easier to enter/exit.
#6: More refined, less "raw".
Fans of pure sports cars may be disappointed, but Tesla would likely find a larger potential customer base since it would be more mainstream with more comfort and luxury.
I could be wrong but since Roadster production will end next year (2011), I doubt there will be a 3.0 release.
Basically the next gen based off the Model S "Skateboard" was proposed to include an open top version, perhaps with only 2 seats, or some Porsche style vestigal rear eats.
I honestly hope that if Tesla decides to put power steering into the Roadster 3.0 that they make a variant that is similar to the current Roadsters, i.e. small, no power steering, etc.. I would love to see them also make it a bit lighter which very well could happen with the advances in battery technology.