Founders Series Tesla delivered to founder, Martin Eberhard
click the photo of Eberhard and his car for a high res gallery
We are now happy to officially confirm what yesterday seemed a likely fait accompli. Martin Eberhard, co-founder of Tesla Motors, has now happily received his very own "Founders' Series" Tesla Roadster. The car,shiny gray with double orange stripes and a matching interior, was silently delivered by Tesla employees early on Saturday morning to Eberhard's solar panel-equipped home. After signing off on all the paperwork and getting the official walk-through of the Roadsters special features, Martin and his wife, Carolyn, were left holding the keys as the rising sun highlighted the orange accents of the beckoning electric sports car. Time to go for a ride!
The trio spent the morning together traveling the very roads for which the Tesla was designed. We suspect Martin's grin only grew wider every time a slower-moving vehicle appeared in his cars sights, giving him yet another opportunity to experience the "never-ending torque" the Roadster delivers while overtaking. You can read all about Martin's first day with his roadster at his blog, Tesla Founders Blog. Bookmark it, as he promises to update that space frequently now with more photos and Roadster observations.
[Source: Tesla Founders Blog via Tesla Motors Club]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 12:01PM (7/20/2008)
Hooray!
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ML 12:19PM (7/20/2008)
Orange stripes? Not good man. Black or silver, or light grey yes. But not orange. At least you have better taste in design than you have in color choice.
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Nicholas 1:16PM (7/20/2008)
I think this is the sexiest Tesla so far. And hey orange stripes is COOL. You guys should check out my devoted video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfizPwA9S5Q
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Chris H. 1:18PM (7/20/2008)
ML,
The colour scheme was chosen by Barney Hatt, the Roadster's exterior designer. Martin asked Barney to come up with something "just outside of my [Martin's] comfort zone", and this is what Barney came up with.
At first, I found it a little jarring too, but it has grown on me. Take a look at some pics or video of VP13 in "Very Orange". Here are some links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28767137@N07/
and,
http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html?referralObject=1341349
I think the idea is to convey a reserved personality with a bit of a wild streak...
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rj 3:34PM (7/20/2008)
so some rich guy gets his electric sports car - well thats nice I guess. I can't really get too excited about it though. Electric sports cars don't make sense to me.
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Trev 3:55PM (7/20/2008)
i didnt think i liked it from the less detailed pictures, but the stripes seem to look great on the more clear images.
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EV-1 6:58PM (7/20/2008)
- - - -
Bottom line
There's a severe disproportion in the blogposts re
"That" brand vs other more urgent issues.
That fact is disturbing the general debate on transportation.
That's an extensive loss, since
politicians and people at influencial positions regularly
"measure the temp out there" by checking sites like ABG
>>> and IF THEY SENSE THIS SITE ISN'T SERIOUS,
THEY'LL JUST QUIT LISTENING.
Wetting your pants over some boy-dream sports roadster isn't being serious on the transport problem.
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s10 8:09PM (7/20/2008)
You are so wrong, on many levels.
-People need to be attracted to electric cars. Many still think of them as small, slow cars that go only that far, just like they think diesel cars are still like the ones from the early 1980's.
-this is an electric car that exists, not some prototype, it is a milestone product and deserves the attention it is getting.
-taking care of the environment doesn't mean you're not allowed to enjoy a sportscar.
jake 8:43PM (7/20/2008)
@s10
Yep, I would rather have people connect EVs with "fast sports car" than the "golf cart" image most EVs have. I agree it's similar to the diesel image.
@EV-1
Give Autobloggreen a break, it's the weekend and weekends tend to be slow. Where is there another BEV for sale today that meets crash standards here in America? Even in the whole world, the BEVs you can actually buy now that meets normal car standards (esp safety standards) you can probably count on your fingers. And this one is also a hot sports car. You might not be interested, but I bet a lot of people are interested in hearing how it is to own and drive a Tesla Roadster. If you think autobloggreen's coverage of Tesla is overboard, you should look at Engadget and the iPhone :P.
BTW, Congratulations to Martin!
tankd0g 9:23PM (7/20/2008)
Well at least there weren't total pricks. They could have labeled it the "Ousted CEO" series.
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Mik_Cal 1:48AM (7/21/2008)
There is an echo of the Ford GTs of the 1960's in the design. Recalls Steve McQueen's car
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Gabe 1:24PM (7/21/2008)
Do you mean the GT40? I'm gonna have to disagree.
and by Steve McQueen's car, do you mean the 68 stang from Bullit or the 917 from Le Mans or what?
Serge 11:18AM (7/21/2008)
Martin: looks awesome and congrats! Looking forward to reading your ownership impressions.
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MS 11:49AM (9/06/2008)
It not expected that the batteries can hold more that 1000 recharge cycles, which gives you max 185.000 miles. But before that the range will decline a lot.
When the car get the 90.000 miles, the range shoul be 40% from the inicial as long as 90 miles. So if you want to return home, you wont make trips longer than 45 miles.
This maybe the way but not for now.
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