We'll see
Only time will tell how the first owners react to the single-speed transmission --and if they want to keep it.
Personally, I think it is an exaggeration to state that those who are on the waiting list are there because they want Ferrari-like acceleration. After all, we are talking about EV advocates, first and foremost. The car's non-polluting efficiency is likely their prime consideration. Of course, they also want a good-looking, fun car that can provide an exilarating, wind-in-your-hair experience, but as long as it could hold its own with, say, a BMW Z4 (0-60 in 5.6 seconds), I suspect that most of them would be more than happy.
Yes, the company stated that the Roadster would go 0-60 in 4 seconds, so customers could rightfully claim that this is what they paid for. But the company also stated that the Roadster would go 250 miles per charge, and that they would start delivering them to owners in mid-2007. The customers paid for those promises too, didn't they?
Let me put it this way: if they had given customers like Chris Paine, Linda Nichols, Dean Devlin, Scott Burns, Maria Shriver, or even George Clooney a choice, which would they have picked?
* taking delivery of a Roadster that goes 0-60 in 5.7 seconds in mid-2007
* postponing the delivery until late 2008 or 2009 for a model that reaches that speed 1.7 seconds faster
My guess is that they would have opted for the first choice --which was Martin's original vision. Of course, those folks would have to respond to know for sure. I can only say that my original interest in the Roadster was not based upon its touted acceleration. I'd like to think that I am not alone in that regard --even though I apparently am in this thread.
