Rumormill: 2010 Tesla Roadster gets sweet upgrades
by Sebastian Blanco on Jul 10th 2009 at 2:56PM 
Tesla Roadster Sport - Click above to enlarge
While owners of the current Tesla Roadster get the benefit of driving their bad ass electric vehicle today, people who are on the list for a 2010 model will likely get a few benefits that might make 2009 owners jealous. Tesla Motors Club member DrComputer wrote about "a conversation with Ted at corporate" that revealed some improvements to the new cars. A tipster sent in a similar list of upgrades. The upgrades include:
- New power electronics module
- Better cooling for the power electronics
- Improved AC with variable speed fans
- Built in WiFi cards that connect the Roadster to the Internet (unless you turn the feature off) and gives Tesla the ability to interact with the car remotely. Also, this could open the door to mobile phone apps that talk to the car.
- Glove box locks when you lock the car (to leave it out with the top down)
Both sources mention the ability to switch vehicle performance modes - from range to standard or performance (but not back to range) - with the key instead of needing to change modes via the screen. There has been no official confirmation about these upgrades, but none of them would surprise us if they were true. Thanks to Dan for the tip!
Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster
[Source: Tesla Motors Club]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jpm 4:40PM (7/10/2009)
that's great.... now make the model S and next cheaper version please
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Tohe 9:22AM (7/11/2009)
I wonder if they would give current customers an option to upgrade like they did with their Sports version. A logical path for the Roadster is to follow in the steps of Porsche and offer both luxury and stripped down versions for those who value either performance or comfort.
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BCL510 4:12PM (7/13/2009)
I know it costs that much because of the labor needed to remove that many lithium ion batteries from the iphones that power this thing...or something. That said, this is one of the coolest, if brutally overpriced e-cars on the market. I'm sure a cross section of Hollywood will lap them up readily enough, but the average Joe can't shake the feeling Musk is insulting his intelligence when he keeps catching hints of that 40,000 dollar lotus silhouette hiding underneath all that rich pretension. Accessories are a step in the right direction, but I'm holding out for the 2 for 1.
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JohnCrippenPhotography 10:25PM (7/25/2009)
Drive one and you won't think it's over priced. performance is well into the supercar range making it an realative bargain when put into perspective.