Tesla Roadster on four teacups, plus... Jonas Brothers
Tesla Roadster on teacups - Click above for high-res image gallery
Some days our inboxes contain things we just didn't expect to ever see. Take, for example, the pictures in the gallery in this post. Apparently, this display, at the William Ashley China store in Toronto, is intended to "encourages consumers to rethink, reduce and re-use." Really?
What we certainly do see is a lightweight Roadster perched on four four Wedgwood teacups made of bone china, each of which is supporting 925 pounds, according to the signs (
But the quirkiness doesn't end there. Just to spice things up a notch, two of the Jonas Brothers – Kevin and Nick – showed up at the store to give us a little something for the teenybopper crowd. We aim to please.
[Source: Tesla Motors]
PRESS RELEASE:
How "Green" is Your China ?
William Ashley Encourages Consumers to Rethink, Reduce and Re-use
An Electric Car on Four Teacups Showcases Strength and Sustainability of Bone China
Toronto, Ontario – In an exemplary show of sustainability, William Ashley China unveiled a head-turning display: the world's only 100% electric sports car – the Tesla Roadster – perched on top of just four Wedgwood teacups outside its flagship location on Bloor Street in Toronto .
Often considered delicate in nature, bone china is in fact the hardest and most durable ceramic available and stronger than any other dinnerware on the market. Wedgwood teacups are among the world's most durable and practical conveniences – timeless items that can withstand the rigours of multiple uses on a daily basis for many years, avoiding the noxious landfills where lesser kitchenware resides.
"William Ashley is proud to offer consumers products that are beautifully designed, durable and embrace an environmentally responsible lifestyle," says Jackie Chiesa, General Manager at William Ashley China. "The Tesla on top of the teacups helps showcase our commitment to the environment, and proves bone china truly is the stronger ceramic around!"
Wedgwood is made of the world's strongest ceramic material, thoroughly engineered and tested to be as sturdy as far cheaper purchases that will chip, break or discolor after heavy use. More and more customers use Wedgwood as everyday dinnerware, as the lifetime cost is only pennies a day. What better way to bring the sustainability of china to life than physically supporting a Tesla Roadster, the only green supercar on the planet: a pure electric vehicle that outpaces a Porsche 911 but produces zero emissions and is twice a efficient as a Toyota Prius!
What: A Tesla on Teacups: The world's only electric sports car atop four Wedgwood bone china teacups Who: William Ashley China, Wedgwood and Tesla Motors When: September 10 – 21st, 2009 Where: Outside William Ashley's flagship location, 55 Bloor Street West , Toronto Photo Op: Four Wedgwood bone china teacups support the world's only electric sportscar, the Tesla Roadster, outside William Ashley China on Bloor Street in Toronto . Download high res photos here.
About William Ashley:
William Ashley carries the most extensive selection of tableware and giftware in North America, with the largest wedding registry service in Canada . Since 1947, the company has provided unrivalled services and knowledgeable assistants to help customers create a perfect table setting.
William Ashley's merchandise includes the world's largest selection of china, stemware, and flatware, and a vast selection of home décor and gourmet products such as appliances, cookware, knives, bar accessories and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland. William Ashley's ability to purchase in large volumes means the company offers the lowest prices Canada , yet customer service is unparalleled, offering in-store shoppers a complimentary Perrier bar, free gift boxing, free delivery and free parking.
About Wedgwood Bone China:
Since 1759, Wedgwood has defined home luxury. The English company offers discerning consumers a wide choice of designs, from prestige and formal to classic and casual, in patterns, styles and colours to suit every taste. Wedgwood tableware is made to be used – both for special occasions and every single day.
All new patterns are put through an extensive series of tests to ensure that colours are hardwearing. Testing engineers routinely perform quality checks to monitor the ability of the tableware to resist the rigours of day to day use. A Wedgwood bone china plate is characterized by virtual translucency: You can almost read the Wedgwood name through the plate against the light. Fine bone china is one of the strongest forms of tableware.
About Tesla Motors:
Tesla Motors remains the only automaker worldwide manufacturing and selling highway-capable EVs. The company has delivered about 700 Roadsters to customers so far. Tesla's goal is to produce increasingly affordable cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EV technology.
Tesla sells cars online and operates showrooms in New York , Seattle , London , West Los Angeles and California 's Silicon Valley . Tesla will soon open stores in Chicago and Munich , and it's planning stores in South Florida, Washington DC , Toronto and Monaco this year.
The Roadster beats nearly every other car for acceleration yet is twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius. It's faster than street-legal Porsches and Ferraris. The Roadster consumes no gasoline whatsoever, never needs routine oil changes and requires far less maintenance than internal combustion engine vehicles or complicated hybrids, resulting in dramatically lower total cost of ownership than a conventional car.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Danny 7:37PM (9/12/2009)
The Tesla weights 3700 pounds?!@
Reply
jake 8:12PM (9/12/2009)
2700 from what I know.
Rachel 7:42PM (9/12/2009)
That's actually Nick and Kevin Jonas, not Nick and Joe.
Reply
Sebastian 11:20PM (9/12/2009)
Thanks. Post has been changed.
Tohe 8:18PM (9/12/2009)
The cups up front are supporting 500 lbs or so says the sign. So they are supporting a total of 3900 lbs, 200 of which could be accounted the Jonas brothers and / or their suitcases.
Reply
Tohe 8:21PM (9/12/2009)
Opps I meant 2900 lbs.
Sebastian 1:55AM (9/13/2009)
good point. i didn't notice that until you pointed it out. thanks (post has been changed)
Tohe 2:23PM (9/13/2009)
Thanks, it was only noticeable in the high resolution pictures. I liked this article, it has an Alice in Wonderland vibe to it.
PopSmith 8:58PM (9/12/2009)
I love how the Tesla only weighs ~2700 lbs or just 1.35 tons and yet some blogs/car "enthusiast" websites claim that it's "porky".
A 911 Turbo (although it is AWD) weighs ~3500 lbs which is pretty light.The Lamborgini Gallardo Superleggra (which also was supported by these tea cups) weights 3,152 lbs:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/lamborghini-gallardo-superleggera-revealed/
In regards to the article, the title initially made me think "They placed a Tesla Roadster on top of Jonas Brothers, with tea cups? Awesome!" Too bad it wasn't true...
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 10:17PM (9/12/2009)
A 911 Turbo is not considered light. It's AWD. It's a 2+2. A Corvette is 3100lbs (and shorter too!).
As to whining about the Tesla weight, drive one. It's really mostly an issue about the weight distribution more than anything. The car doesn't feel "darty", due to a combination of its weight, weight distribution and presumably the high efficiency (low grip) tires on it.
locoyocal 12:43PM (9/13/2009)
The 911 has a 3.8L petrol engine. Comparing that to an EV is really distorted.
If telsa is able to get its current range at 2800lbs, the improvements we will see in the next 10 years, when they go to 1000-2000lbs will be huge.
Richard 12:12PM (9/14/2009)
Actually, comparing it to an EV is the point. Especially for shorter-distance performance vehicles, we should be looking at nothing but the interface between the driver and the vehicle, and the performance of the vehicle on the road.
Comparing powertrains for efficiency is great. Comparing vehicles for suitability to their purpose is great too. Saying that you can't compare the performance/handling of two vehicles having the same stated driving purpose because their efficiency is different is a fallacy.
john 10:27PM (9/12/2009)
Good cross-promotion! Never imagined any tea cups could support a car...
Reply
Chris M 11:08PM (9/12/2009)
Porcelain, like glass, has surprisingly high compressional strength, but the tensile strength and shear strength is much lower. So, porcelain teacups can support a considerable weight, if properly applied and supported evenly.
Since the weight of the roadster is not evenly distributed, the load on the rear wheels and rear teacups is higher, close to the 925 pounds mentioned, but the front wheels and teacups have a much lower load.
Chris M 11:14PM (9/12/2009)
Oooh, wouldn't that be a nice centerpiece for a dinner party! Just as long as nobody tried to drink the Tesla!
Reply
meg 1:04AM (9/13/2009)
How does this show sustainability exactly? Wedgewood just got bought out by KPS Capital Partners, who is moving most of the production to Indonesia to save money. Unless they plan to have Tesla invent an eco-friendly boat to ship all that bone china back to the UK, I don't think we have a winner here.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4219984a-1a1d-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1
Reply
JasonN 10:08AM (9/13/2009)
The Jonas Brothers... pfffft... ear garbage!
Reply
Jim 8:09AM (9/14/2009)
christ's sake, I can't even read Autoblog without running into those moronic Disney sock-puppets.
Reply
Jim 8:11AM (9/14/2009)
great. I can't even read Autoblog without running into those moronic Disney sock-puppets.
Reply
Jim 8:11AM (9/14/2009)
and I'm a double posting moron.