Tesla Chief Designer Says Roadster is Evolving

The new Tesla Roadster was unveiled with incredible performance specs, but the car’s designer is now saying the car will be better “in every way.”

Speaking on the Ride the Lighting podcast, Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen – the man who drove the Roadster out of the Tesla Semi for its debut – offered some insight on the continued development of the next version of the sports car. 

“It’s evolving deservedly so; it needs more time. It will be even better than what we’ve unveiled. In every way,” Von Holzhausen said. 

Consider the new Roadster is expected to pack impressive specs even for a supercar – 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds and a range of up to 620 miles from a 200 kWh battery pack.

Von Holzhausen called the car an “amazing machine” that “showcases the ability of what an electric vehicle can be.”

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk has previously hinted at a performance version of the Roadster coming in 2021.

Check out the interview here.

 

[Pinot.Noir]

The only evolution I really want info on is it's release date.

 

[Uncle Paul]

This is typical for a new vehicle. Sales wants the cars available as early as possible, but the engineers have developed ways to make the car much better, if they have a little more time.

Management will hear both sides, and decide when to release the car. At a certain point they will give the engineers the bad news of "pencils down" and the car will go out the door as it is developed at that time.

They usually will integrate the improvements into the next model year, but with Tesla they usually just make the improvements when they can integrate them into the vehicle.

 

[tmoz]

A performance version of the performance car? Isn't that a little over the top?

 

[XLR82XS]

A performance version of the performance car? Isn't that a little over the top?

Nope!

 

[tmoz]

Nope!

Why not, I suppose. Three grades of insanity perhaps: 1) Fastest sports car on the planet (other than versions 2 and 3) , 2) Even faster fastest sports car on the planet with after booster rockets, 3) Fastest vehicle on land (really a rocket, but can sneak into the car category).

 

[AMPd]

Why not, I suppose. Three grades of insanity perhaps: 1) Fastest sports car on the planet (other than versions 2 and 3) , 2) Even faster fastest sports car on the planet with after booster rockets, 3) Fastest vehicle on land (really a rocket, but can sneak into the car category).

The Roadster won’t be the fastest car.
Quickest to a certain speed, yes. Fastest? No

 

[XLR82XS]

The Roadster won’t be the fastest car.
Quickest to a certain speed, yes. Fastest? No

What is Tesla claiming: 250mph? Enter the Koenigsegg Jesko.

 

[tomas]

The only evolution I really want info on is it's release date.

Immediately after the obituary of the mult car referral artists.

 

[Skotty]

A performance version of the performance car? Isn't that a little over the top?

Gotta get that Roadster P200+, Plaid Edition with Performance Package and Raptor Rocket Boost.

 

[tmoz]

Very tempting but where would one drive such a beast?

 

[brianman]

A performance version of the performance car? Isn't that a little over the top?

No other sports car manufacturers have upgraded variants of their performance cars. That would be totally over the top. #confused

 

[yo mama]

Very tempting but where would one drive such a beast?

The better question is - where *wouldn't* you drive it?

 

[jerry33]

The better question is - where *wouldn't* you drive it?

I'd probably not drive it on one of those boulder climbing excursions.

 

[tmoz]

The better question is - where *wouldn't* you drive it?

Lots of places.

 

[Drew-MS]

There are plenty of tracks all over. Plus, many people on this forum own one of the quickest accelerating cars on the road. Of course, the P100D (Model S performance) and it's a daily driver for many. I'm sure some people that purchase the new Roaster will use it as a daily driver. After all, it's much more practical than the previous Roadster. Since it has 4 seats, AWD, trunk space, good range, and it's not very small like the first one. That being said, the new Roadster will actually be much more practical than many other exotic cars including Audi R8s, most Ferraris, Mclaren's, Lambos, etc.. Maybe similar to a 911 Turbo which I owned several years ago and was my daily driver.

 

[bart513]

I'm hoping to save up enough money with the 42% referral discount to buy one or these beautiful Tesla babies!!!

 

[tmoz]

Hurry up and evolve it into a product we can buy!

 

[sethr]

I'm hoping it will evolve into a proper Roadster (ie 2 seats - look up the definition of a roadster), which would make space/weight for a retractable hardtop. And a normal steering wheel, please. Add in adjustable suspension height so it can be my daily driver, and I'm getting really interested. Fingers crossed.....

 

[RDoc]

I'd actually like them to take styling cues from the pickup.