Tesla Roadster 2.5 revealed - public debut at Goodwood FOS 2010

 Tesla Roadster 2.5 revealed - public debut at Goodwood FOS 2010
Tesla Roadster 2.5, 01.07.2010

Minor interior and exterior changes

Fresh off a successful IPO launch, Telsa has announced plans to introduce the updated Roadster 2.5 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In terms of styling, the Roadster features a new front fascia, restyled wheels (available in silver or black) and a modified rear diffuser. Inside, the cabin has improved sound dampening, better seats, and an optional 7-inch navigation system with a back-up camera.

According to Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, "These improvements are a direct result of customer feedback and come only a year after release of Roadster 2.0, showing an exceptionally rapid pace of innovation. Where feasible, we will also offer existing customers the ability to purchase the upgrades now available in version 2.5."

So why unveil the 2.5 at Goodwood? The United Kingdom offers a 100 percent Writing Down Allowance, which allows companies to "deduct the price of the car from their taxable profits." Other benefits include free parking (in certain parts of London) and an exemption from the Showroom Tax.

Source: Telsa

Tesla Premiers Roadster 2.5 at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Electric Carmaker Will Perform This Weekend in World-Famous Motoring Festival in the UK.

CHICHESTER, England - Tesla Motors (TSLA) will unveil its next-generation sports car to the public this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Tesla Roadster 2.5 features improvements in design and technology, including a new front fascia, rear diffuser, improved seat comfort, sound dampening and an optional large touch screen navigation system with back-up camera. Improved interior sound reduction techniques, including new front fender liner material, make the cabin even quieter.

The Festival of Speed is the world's largest motoring garden party, a unique weekend that brings together a heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport royalty to create the largest car culture festival worldwide. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual hill-climb extravaganza celebrates all things automotive.

Goodwood is one of the most beloved motoring events in the world and a highlight of the English summer so it's only appropriate that this iconic celebration will be the public premiere of the latest Roadster, said Cristiano Carlutti, Tesla's Vice President of European Operations.

Absolutely Extraordinary

Tesla has already become a darling of Britain's beloved Goodwood, which this spring hosted the first official UK motor race that included electric vehicles, a competition sanctioned by the UK Motor Sport Association. One of Britain's most respected motoring correspondents described a recent Roadster stint on a Goodwood hill climb as an 'absolutely extraordinary performance.'

UK companies that purchase a Roadster benefit from a 100 percent Writing Down Allowance, meaning they can deduct the price of the car from their taxable profits. The Roadster is the only sports car that has ever qualified for such a tax incentive in the UK. Roadster drivers park for free and without time limits in various London boroughs, they get four hours of free charging at certain parking sites, and they are exempt from the Showroom Tax.

Tesla launched the new Roadster this week and is delivering to customers now. More than 1,200 current Tesla owners in at least 23 countries have logged over five million electric miles in their Roadsters.

Prospective customers can see the Tesla Roadster 2.5 at Goodwood or at the London showroom at 49-51 Cheval Place in Knightsbridge, near Harrods. Tesla is now delivering this latest version of the car in all Tesla markets in Europe, Asia and North America.



Tesla Unveils Roadster 2.5 at Newest Stores in Europe and North America

New Roadster Demonstrates Tesla's Commitment to Innovation

Palo Alto, CA -- Tesla Motors today announced Roadster 2.5, the latest version of its revolutionary electric sports car. It will debut simultaneously with the opening of Tesla's two new stores in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Newport Beach, California.

The Roadster 2.5 reflects Tesla's commitment to innovation and the company's close feedback loop with its customers. The new Roadster includes improvements in both design and technology, including a new front fascia, rear diffuser, improved seat comfort & internal finishes, sound dampening and a large touch screen navigation system.

"Although development of the Model S is our main focus, this shows that we still care a great deal about improving the Tesla Roadster," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "These improvements are a direct result of customer feedback and come only a year after release of Roadster 2.0, showing an exceptionally rapid pace of innovation. Where feasible, we will also offer existing customers the ability to purchase the upgrades now available in version 2.5."

New features in Roadster 2.5 include:

  • A new look, which includes a new front fascia with diffusing vents, and rear diffuser reflecting the future of Tesla design
  • Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black
  • New seats with improved comfort, larger more supportive bolsters and a new lumbar support system
  • Power control hardware that enables spirited driving in exceptionally hot climates
  • An optional 7" touchscreen display with back-up camera
  • Improved interior sound reduction including new front fender liner material make the cabin even quieter

Tesla will unveil the new Roadster at its two newest stores worldwide in Copenhagen and Newport Beach, CA. Journalists can see the car during media open houses at both stores throughout the day. Customers, prospective customers and other guests will celebrate the opening of the newest stores this evening.

The enhancements in the Roadster 2.5 are the direct result of accumulated customer feedback. Tesla's unique, company-owned retail network allows Tesla's engineers to receive customer feedback directly and iterate rapidly. More than 1,200 current owners in at least 23 countries have logged over five million electric miles.

Roadster 2.5 is currently available for order and soon will be available at Tesla stores worldwide.

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 N20_Purge N20_Purge
Looks better than before. Now if only it was in Yellow....
July 2, 2010 4:04 pm
 M! M!
nice. now a bunch of CEO's in the UK can drive around in these with such incentives.
July 2, 2010 5:46 pm
 CDspeed CDspeed
I really would like to see the Roadster priced closer to the Boxster or Z4, they should loose the carbon fiber and go aluminum. Still the updates look fantastic and it is still the best EV ever produced.
July 2, 2010 6:28 pm
 Mikeado Mikeado
They'll get cheaper as the technology does. At this early stage being the "best EV ever" doesn't say a great deal, seeing as it's beaten a G-Wiz and some converted compacts. As cars like the SLS E-Cell and Audi e-Tron (and probably a BMW sports car with an "e" in front of it) appear, the Tesla will truly be tested.
July 4, 2010 10:19 am
 CDspeed CDspeed
@mikeado I said best produced. Until Mercedes produces the E-Cell or Audi does the same with their e-Tron the Tesla Roadster will remain. And as for beating other cars, it does accelerate better than a lot of petrol cars and has won a few timed events. I think it's the best right now, mostly for showing people that electric cars don't have to be lame.
July 4, 2010 3:26 pm
 benzboy benzboy
Iam sorry but it still looks like a honda del sol, just not as good or comfortable!!
July 3, 2010 10:29 am
 MTC MTC
Saw it this afternoon, tried to do a full throttle start with other cars, just end up screeching the tires and take off silently, while every other car shouts about. lol
July 3, 2010 3:52 pm
 Mikeado Mikeado
A software update and a few new hardware attachments? I'm sure it still costs 3 times as much as an equally fast Lotus though. It's still not the time to buy an electric car.
July 4, 2010 10:17 am
 Iconic Iconic
It's definitely the right time to buy an electric car. Being fast isn't the benchmark of a good EV. The roadster is essentially a marketing tool. Nissan Leaf just lit a fire under the EV market, and Toyata's stake in Tesla proves the urgency that the auto industry currently has.
July 4, 2010 12:47 pm
 Mikeado Mikeado
Maybe if you must have one now, but it's like when HDTV was new, or like 3DTV now: They're only going to get cheaper and better, so personally I would still wait a couple of years before getting one. Mind you, if everyone thought like that, no-one would buy them and they would never advance, so thank goodness a lot of people don't!
July 5, 2010 1:28 am