Porsche places order for Tesla Roadster
Click above for more high-res shots of the eRUF Concept Model A
Uh oh. Rumors suggest that Porsche isn't all that impressed with the all-electric lithium-ion powered 911 from longtime tuning company Ruf. Not that the German automaker is giving up on electric sportscars completely or anything... in fact it's quite the opposite. Porsche is developing its own electric machine without the help of any outside companies, at least in the traditional sense. According to Tesla Motors, officials from Porsche have stopped by to take a good long look at the Roadster. It seems that they were interested enough to place an order for one of the $100K-plus electric sportscars, though Porsche will have to wait its turn just like everyone else that has put down their deposits. One can only assume that the car will be put through its paces, compared with models from the German automaker's own stable and summarily taken apart bit by bit just to see how it all ticks. Sounds like we won't be waiting too long for a Porsche versus Tesla run 'round the 'Ring after all.
Gallery: E-Ruf electric 911
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dtv 11:44AM (11/25/2008)
I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Porsche should resurrect the 914 (as posted once by ABG) but should make it all electric. The 914 is already a popular car for conversions, so it really makes a ton of sense. Tesla borrowed technology shoved into a newly styled 914 would be a huge success - and would help Porsche address European and American CO2 emission standards. Because Porsche has always turned a cold shoulder to the manufacturer emission requirements, I suspect the acquisition of VW and the launch of an electric car have been part of their master plan all along.
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vfx 11:52AM (11/25/2008)
Of the 1200 cars Tesla has sold I bet there are at least a dozen of them are being bought by "middlemen" brokers for various automakers worldwide.
It is common practice to reverse engineer competing products. A new-tech car is always scrutnized. I remember Ford buying six Lancia Betas when they came out with a unique undercarrige.
Sad that the cars will never be seen again.
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Kardax 1:07PM (11/25/2008)
Although the car is destined to be dissected in an R&D lab, if Porsche likes what they find, Tesla stands to make good money from licensing.
Chris M 1:08AM (11/26/2008)
Sometimes "reverse engineering" is to find out how something is made, in order to make sure your product isn't the same as their product, thus preventing possible patent infringement. It could also be to see if it might be worth licensing.
Chris M 1:10AM (11/26/2008)
Hmm, maybe the top engineers and executives at Porsche want to find out what "0 to 60 in 3.9" really feels like...
chuckle...
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