The purpose of this post is to serve as a reference for verified facts about the 2020 Roadster, based on Tesla’s website at Roadster | Tesla , information made public by Tesla for example at the unveil event (no independent test results available yet), direct observations of the prototype cars shown at the Tesla Semi event in November 2017, videos of event test rides, and other reputable sources. This will hopefully assist readers in separating fact from fiction and rumors about the new Roadster, which has understandably been subject to a great deal of speculation. It will change and expand as we learn more about the car.
Of course there will continue to be spirited debate about the precise definitions Tesla is using, how to interpret statements made by Elon and others, and which specifications can be reasonably assumed and which can only be guessed at. Many specs will not be known until the cars are available for purchase. PM me if you wish to contribute to this post, or post your comments in a new or existing thread, I try to read all new posts in this forum. Thank you.
Base* Specifications
Performance
Exterior
* SpaceX option package: At the unveil, Elon emphasized that the performance specifications shown were for the Base Roadster, implying that a future version would offer even greater performance. On 6/19/18 Elon tweeted: “SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering”, and ”plus an electric pump to replenish air in COPV, when car power draw drops below max pack power output, makes sense. But we are going to go a lot further.”
Of course there will continue to be spirited debate about the precise definitions Tesla is using, how to interpret statements made by Elon and others, and which specifications can be reasonably assumed and which can only be guessed at. Many specs will not be known until the cars are available for purchase. PM me if you wish to contribute to this post, or post your comments in a new or existing thread, I try to read all new posts in this forum. Thank you.
Base* Specifications
Performance
- 0 to 60 in 1.9 secs (unknown if this includes 1 ft rollout like Motor Trend uses)
- 0 to 100 in 4.2 secs
- 1/4 mile in 8.8 secs
- Top speed 250+ mph (exact top speed not yet available)
- Range 620 miles (unknown if this is estimated EPA figure or something else)
- All Wheel Drive: Dual rear motors and single front motor (stated by Elon at unveil event)
- 10,000Nm (7,375 ft/lbs) wheel torque (as opposed to torque measured at motor shaft)
- 200kWh battery capacity (usable capacity unknown, cell type unknown, max charge rate unknown)
- Brakes “brakes the same size as on a LaFerrari” (Source: Tesla test driver on a video at the unveil event)
Exterior
- Removable glass roof section which can be stored in the trunk on top folded down rear seats
- Two doors, hinged at the front
- No side view mirrors on prototype, unknown if DOT will allow that on 2020 production vehicles
- No visible seams for hood panel, therefore no frunk on prototype
- Rear hatchback opened and closed is shown in video by Bjorn posted on YouTube, title “Next gen Tesla Roadster trunk and hatch door”
- Single windshield wiper present on one prototype but not present on the test drive vehicle
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on test drive vehicle, exact size not stated by Tesla but photos show 325/30ZR21 (104Y) rear and 295/35ZR20 front (Source: Electrek Tesla’s Next-Gen Roadster: A (speculative) technical look at the car that will “smack down” gasoline powered cars )
- 4 seats in 2+2 configuration (no photos available of rear seats, Elon implied they were not for full size passengers)
- Large vertical centrally mounted display, curved screen
- Very small horizontal displays embedded in dash in front of driver and in front of passenger, which show PRND indicator, speed, Auto Pilot icon, TACC/Speed limit icon, and “G meter” (stated by event test driver in the video posted by Drag Times about their test drive)
- Steering wheel is unusual partial-circle design, no buttons/thumb wheels visible
- Gear selector stalk on right side of steering column
- Stalk on left side of steering column (for turn signal indicators and possibly other functions, not used during event test drives so no proof yet of actual purpose)
- Base $200,000 reservation $50,000
- Founder’s Edition $250,000 reservation $250,000 (1,000 Founder’s Edition vehicles)
* SpaceX option package: At the unveil, Elon emphasized that the performance specifications shown were for the Base Roadster, implying that a future version would offer even greater performance. On 6/19/18 Elon tweeted: “SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering”, and ”plus an electric pump to replenish air in COPV, when car power draw drops below max pack power output, makes sense. But we are going to go a lot further.”
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