I think nearly everyone was caught by surprise at the 2020 Roadster prototype reveal at the end of the semi event.
In some ways I want to say it seemed early (given 2020 is many years away), but looking back on Tesla history they have said that they intended to do another Roadster for a long while now, so maybe we shouldn't have been so surprised about that. I guess they did a good job of stopping public talk about next gen Roadster so we stopped thinking about it so much and then they "pulled a fast one" on us by revealing it when we thought it may have just been a shelved project.
In terms of what they revealed with the prototype, I found these things surprising:
#1: The removable roof panel. (I think many were assuming it would be a more typical 'convertible' 'drop top' mechanism.)
#2: No frunk? (It looks like the front end has no opening for a frunk. How does one service components in the front?)
#3: 600+ mile range. Didn't see that one coming.
#4: 250+ MPH top speed. Didn't anticipate that either.
The fact that they intend to do another Roadster is not a surprise.
The 0-60 in under 2 seconds is not a surprise because it was hinted at before, and Model S P100DL doing 0-60 in under 2.5 led many to conclude a Roadster ought to be able to get under 2s.
The 2+2 configuration was half way expected, although I think many were hoping they would stick with a pure 2 seater and keep the size down. I think many were assuming/fearing that it would go the way of "cushy luxury" and end up as some sort of "highway cruiser" comfort-mobile, and not be an edgy / pure sports car like the original Roadster. From the looks of the Prototype and the way Franz was tossing it around, it seems those fears were unfounded and they are intending to build a vehicle that has an extremely sporty driving experience.
In some ways I want to say it seemed early (given 2020 is many years away), but looking back on Tesla history they have said that they intended to do another Roadster for a long while now, so maybe we shouldn't have been so surprised about that. I guess they did a good job of stopping public talk about next gen Roadster so we stopped thinking about it so much and then they "pulled a fast one" on us by revealing it when we thought it may have just been a shelved project.
In terms of what they revealed with the prototype, I found these things surprising:
#1: The removable roof panel. (I think many were assuming it would be a more typical 'convertible' 'drop top' mechanism.)
#2: No frunk? (It looks like the front end has no opening for a frunk. How does one service components in the front?)
#3: 600+ mile range. Didn't see that one coming.
#4: 250+ MPH top speed. Didn't anticipate that either.
The fact that they intend to do another Roadster is not a surprise.
The 0-60 in under 2 seconds is not a surprise because it was hinted at before, and Model S P100DL doing 0-60 in under 2.5 led many to conclude a Roadster ought to be able to get under 2s.
The 2+2 configuration was half way expected, although I think many were hoping they would stick with a pure 2 seater and keep the size down. I think many were assuming/fearing that it would go the way of "cushy luxury" and end up as some sort of "highway cruiser" comfort-mobile, and not be an edgy / pure sports car like the original Roadster. From the looks of the Prototype and the way Franz was tossing it around, it seems those fears were unfounded and they are intending to build a vehicle that has an extremely sporty driving experience.