VIDEO: Tesla's All-new Roadster Caught On Camera BLASTING OFF

After this week's momentous debut for the all-new Tesla Roadster, the world is reacting in a BIG way. People are smitten. 

Although I haven't had the chance to check the temperature of the enthusiast community, really, it seems like most folks on AutoSpies are skeptical. And, with good reason. While the SEMI's debut was booked for November 2017 for some time, the Roadster was sort of a surprise.

I like to think of it as a Steve Jobs-like "one more thing," type moment.

So, why the skepticism? Well, it's hard to ignore that it could potentially be yet another deflection from the fact Model 3 production is WAY behind. The PR has been hard hitting and shares of TSLA took a dump. But now there's a rebound thanks to the wave of excitement that washed over the equity. 

While I understand the general public's excitement, there's a bit of a mouthbreather quality to them. Take, for example, the Instagram clip below from just after the reveal. The Roadster is being driven through the crowd and then the driver throttles the car. 

ZOOM! It takes off. 

Now I have been around a lot of super fast cars and that didn't look all that fast to me. Maybe it looks fast to others because the car doesn't make noise and the tires get a bit ripped?

What say you, Spies? Is this running concept car THAT fast?

*How much do you want to bet it's using the same running gear as a Model S/X and they could do the same thing just as easily?

 

0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, 250 mph top speed ?? ??tag a mate?? __________ ??: @steadidrew | #carfanatics #blacklist #carswithoutlimits #tesla #teslaroadster #carinstagram #carlifestyle #instacar #amazingcars247

A post shared by Carfanatics Blog (@carfanaticsblog) on Nov 17, 2017 at 5:07am PST

MDarringer - 11/18/2017 10:36:12 AM

+3 Boost

Let's assume Tesla will be around in a couple of years. Let's assume they build this sports car with Miata inspired styling. What does Tesla know about handling? NOTHING! Does Tesla believe in prototype testing? NOPE! So even if it comes to market, there's no indication that it will have the quality, reliability, and performance commensurate with its price. In fact, opposite indications are there.

runninglogan1 - 11/18/2017 2:36:31 PM

0 Boost

Model S is a fine handler and Model 3 is even better according to people who have actually driven it.

MDarringer - 11/18/2017 3:11:58 PM

+4 Boost

Indeed the Tesla Model S has totally obliterated to hell and back any BMW M or Mercedes AMG sedan's performance for handling, braking, turn-in, etc. Yeah...tell yourself that.

The 911 will be immediately destroyed by the Tesla coupe.

TomM - 11/18/2017 5:12:43 PM

+4 Boost

Sorry - runninglogan1 - but the Model S and Model 3 are both sedans - and while they may handle well for their purpose - a sports car is a different animal.

However - I will defer MY opinion until we have a real release date - which is likely to be well after 2020 starts. Bob Lutz has already said that Tesla is doomed. WE do know that they will not survive without still another round of capital - and this time - there will be concern for that. WHat we really need to see is IF they priced the Model 3 so that it can generate a profit for the company - with sales that have no tax incentives.

ALready - the interest in EVs and Hybrids is cooling - Ford had to cancel importing the C-Max. (yes they are still selling - but not at the record increases of the past)

MDarringer - 11/18/2017 6:03:19 PM

0 Boost

@TomM Here you go again....

The CMax was built in Michigan for US consumption.

SanJoseDriver - 11/19/2017 1:05:25 AM

-1 Boost

I wouldn't give much credit to anything Bob Lutz says. He's someone who actually did contribute to bankrupting a US auto manufacturer and is pretty much doing nothing important right now.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 11/18/2017 7:55:58 PM

+4 Boost

Just my 2 cents but if I was going to make the fastest car in the world, I would have made it look like the fastest car in the world and not like a member of the Miata extended family. More Chiron and Aventador and less Barbie.

SanJoseDriver - 11/19/2017 1:17:51 AM

-3 Boost

"*How much do you want to bet it's using the same running gear as a Model S/X and they could do the same thing just as easily?"

The 1.9 number has already been confirmed and P100D owners said the Roadster feels much faster, the S/X drivetrain would not be able to hit that even on a much smaller car. The prototype they showed is definitely running on next-gen hardware. I'm sure the 3-motor drive will come to the S/X, but the extra weight will make it impossible to go below two seconds. The motors might be mostly re-used from other cars (probably two Model 3 motors in the rear), but the battery is the real next-gen improvement here. They are probably using a solid-state battery on the prototype, which would have cost millions to hand-build.

If they unleash a solid-state monster in 2020, that would be at least 3 years before what other companies are forecasting. It would also probably be the 1 component that delays the car to 2021 or 2022. Hopefully they will eventually to a P100T version that is cheaper and still faster than anything else on the market.

malba2367 - 11/19/2017 12:39:35 PM

0 Boost

The roadster will be at the forefront of ev technology from a energy density and performance standpoint. Tesla is a battery technology company not a car company...when will people get this and stop criticizing every move they make with their cars. Tesla’s long term goal is to be an oem supplier or licensor of battery technology to all sorts of industries that need large power dense batteries.

SanJoseDriver - 11/19/2017 6:36:13 PM

-3 Boost

Wow, from some people that rode in it talking about the seating position, some think the pack is standard batteries stacked on top of one another. If they are achieving this with current gen batteries that would be even more insane.

malba2367 - 11/20/2017 10:47:17 AM

+3 Boost

The roadster will be at the forefront of ev technology from a energy density and performance standpoint. Tesla is a battery technology company not a car company...when will people get this and stop criticizing every move they make with their cars. Tesla’s long term goal is to be an oem supplier or licensor of battery technology to all sorts of industries that need large power dense batteries. In addition they will have the lowest cost on the individual cells by a large margin once the gigafactory is at full speed.

malba2367 - 11/20/2017 2:25:10 PM

+4 Boost

Tesla does not buy batteries from Panasonic. They have a joint venture with Panasonic to build the individual cells. Tesla does all the engineering and construction of the actual pack that delivers the power. There is a lot of technology involved with wiring together thousands of cells, making them charge and discharge in the way needed, managing heat and maintaining the longevity of the cells all the harsh environment of a moving vehicle. This combined with the cost advantage once the gigafactory ramps up to full capacity is Tesla’s trump card and somwhar justifies their valuation vs if they were a pure play auto manufacturer.