Tesla Roadster gets crash tested at 100 kph. Passes!
A Tesla Roadster was, sadly, crashed at speed in the South of France a few days ago. Details are somewhat sketchy and early reports contain some factual errors but after checking with Tesla Motors sales and marketing head Darryl Siry, we think we have the real skinny. Simon Rochefort, a Tesla Motors sales rep, was driving in a heavy rain with a passenger and hydroplaned on a curve in the highway and lost control. The all-electric sports car was traveling at close to 60 miles an hour (not 100 mph) at the time and no one was, thankfully, ejected. Although Simon did sustain a broken bone (reportedly in his hand), both passengers emerged from the wreck only slightly worse for wear. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for the Roadster, going by the pics on it perched ignominiously atop the burned-out carcass of a mini-van in some nameless scrapyard that were published on WreckedExotics.com.
The car does appear to have performed its job of protecting its occupants quite well though. Our faithful readers may remember seeing the footage of official crash tests last year but car accidents that occur in the real world can have unpredictable results. Contrary to what some predicted might happen in this situation, we note that there was no explosion, no electrocution and no instant death as a result of the high-speed mishap. Thanks to Doug for the tip.
[Source: WreckedExotics.com / Tesla Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jake 8:08PM (11/04/2008)
So it was kph not mph, a lot more reasonable. Seems like ABG was the only source which did some follow up on this story.
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stevefazek 8:16PM (11/04/2008)
Poor tesla :(
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Tim 8:52PM (11/04/2008)
Did Simon turn off the traction control and get too cockey, or is there an issue with the sensing of a hydroplaning event? or is there just nothing you can do when you hit a patch of water on a curve like that?
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stevefazek 9:20PM (11/04/2008)
its called 60 something of the weight in the ass end RWD and someone playing with too much throttle lol
Lad 12:13AM (11/05/2008)
No one wants to see this; Happy the people are OK;It would be interesting to know the front and rear weight specs of the car so one can determine its driving charateristics. If its like a 911, i.e., heavy in the rear, one would know not to lift quickly in a tight turn.
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Yanquetino 10:08AM (11/05/2008)
Only one broken hand bone? The occupants fared a lot better than the Roadster then! I'll bet they're grateful to Eberhard for doing a good job with the crash tests for homologation.
I hope they are now going to recycle the 6,831 lithium-ion cells and not just dump them in that junk yard!
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Throwback 10:51AM (11/05/2008)
you mean greatful to Lotus for designing and building light, strong chassis.
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gorr 11:16AM (11/05/2008)
If that driver was use to drive a gasoline front wheel drive car then he maybe try his new toy too eagerly with electrical rear wheel drive sport car with unproven traction control and regenerative breaking. Maybe the front ends with large tires and few weight in the front of the car have provoked hydro-planning and he lose breaking and cornering capability then the regenerative breaking have struck the rear wheels and the big weight of the battery pack put the car on an uncontroled spin.
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Steven Lough, Pres. SEVA 4:42PM (11/06/2008)
I would think that TESLA would want the Whole CAR back, for all the parts and pieces...
What was it doing in France any way... Don't they have enough expenses, pre sold orders, other problems, without trying to
expand their reach to Europe...
I would guess, the Motor, controler, other valuable parts are very much in tact, and can be sold or recycled.
Would love to hear an official account from TESLA...
Steve Lough
Pres.
Seattle EV Association
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Geoff de Ruiter 7:27PM (11/06/2008)
Ya I think that Tesla should get this roadster back, set a precedence and recycle every vehicle that goes out. Specifically all that aluminum and then the Li-ion cells, at least a few should have been unharmed, I even believe carbon fiber can be reused. I know Tesla doesn't actually build the entire vehicle but at least to develop a program. It would be the first car company to do that as far as I know
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rheaspams 2:52AM (11/11/2008)
they do have a program for recycling the batteries when they're done i believe...
i wonder if this was just a picture of the car after it had been towed. i hope it does get recycled.. they could probably even reuse some undamaged parts for a new tesla!