Tesla Roadster Part 2: Interior & User Experience

The strangest and most unique thing about driving an electric car has got to be the near silence. Couple that silence with the staggering performance of the Tesla Roadster and the feeling goes from eerie to flat-out shocking (sorry, I had to do it).

Tesla is named after one of the founding fathers of electrical engineering, Nikola Tesla. Along with several others - Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse and Alexander Graham Bell, to name just a few - Tesla helped transform electricity from a scientific curiosity into one of the essential tools of the modern world.

But enough about history, lets talk about the future. The Tesla Roadster is a sneak peak into what an environmentally-friendly automotive world might be like. That future will be different in many ways, and that becomes clear from the minute you get in this car.

You climb in over the tall and wide sill and sink down into the narrow bucket seat. It takes a little practice and flexibility, but it's relatively easy. Next, you insert the key into the column-mounted ignition as you would in most any car. But when you turn the key the experience becomes very... Playstation-like. Instead of a starter cranking and the sound of an exhaust note, there's just a tone that signifies you're ready to go. You then move the gear lever into drive, lower the parking brake and go... Silently!

In addition to the unusual lack of noise, the Tesla's one-speed transmission delivers a surge of power that is completely uninterrupted, making the car feel even quicker than it already is. As the car gains speed you'll hear sounds that would be drowned out by engine and exhaust noise in other cars. Wind and tire noise are both more obvious. But perhaps the most interesting sound comes not at speed, but as you slow down. An electrical buzz comes from the drivetrain as the car slows to a stop that is part Jetson’s, part turbine and very cool. If legislators pass a law to make near silent electric cars produce some sort of noise, it's this sound that should be amplified.

That jet turbine sound is confirmation that the performance is there, but what about the range? Tesla tells us the range on the EPA cycle is around 220 miles, but driven conservatively that number can approach 250 miles. Driven... enthusiastically, it's still in the vicinity of 140-150 miles. Since roughly 80 percent of our trips in the United States are under 40 miles - according to research from General Motors - the proposition of the Tesla Roadster as a real car is valid. And let's not forget that the Roadster recharges as it sits in your garage. With a 32-amp power supply, a full charge takes eight hours and uses the same amount of electricity as two clothes dryers.

As with any car - especially a sportscar - there are some negatives. First, there's the price of entry: $109k. Secondly, there are the usual compromises inherent in a two-seat, mid-engined car such as the lack of storage space and general impracticality. But there are also a few more drawbacks that we shouldn't ignore.

While all the focus is on the lack of polluting emissions from these types of cars, their reliance on electricity producing power-plants means that the greenhouse gas emissions simply move from tailpipe to smokestack, although the emissions per mile driven are significantly reduced. There's also the life of the batteries to consider, which Tesla says is about five years or 100,000 miles, after which you'll need to replace them at a not-insignificant cost.

But even taking those drawbacks into account, the Tesla Roadster is a compelling car for several reasons. For one, it's an encouraging glimpse into an automotive future that reduces our dependence on mostly foreign-sourced fossils fuels. Secondly, it delivers a unique experience that contrasts with the dullness of many environmentally-friendly cars. But most importantly, the Tesla Roadster is a real car that offers an extremely exciting driving experience rivaling that of any other car, electric or otherwise.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 3: Performance

Tesla Roadster

Performance
- Acceleration: Impressive acceleration made more so by the total lack of engine/drivetrain noise
- Handling: Not quite as well resolved as the Lotus Elise it's based on - too softly sprung at the rear - extra weight of battery pack and electric motor clearly evident
- Braking: Again, the extra weight over the Elise means that the brakes are only just enough - balance is still excellent, better in a straight line even given the added mass over the rear tires

Design
- Exterior: Electric car correct, although a bit dull compared to other mid-engined sportscars - simplicity is better in person than in photographs
- Interior: One area where it betters the Lotus - Spartan, but well done

Utility
- Comfort: Ingress/egress aside, surprisingly comfy once you're seated - good ride quality given its handling
- Space: Tiny footprint leaves only a small carbon fiber cubby at the rear - pack lightly

Safety
- Dynamics: Soft springing means that energy return is considerable once you've loaded the chassis up one way - no stability control to help out...
- Technology: Airbags and ABS, but again, no electronic stability system

Value
- Price: At $100k, its tough to justify - as a pioneering electric vehicle, it gets easier
- Mileage: Relative to fuel used, it's off the charts! Range (more relevant) is decent if you don't plan on cross-country ventures, or if you can resist the addictive acceleration

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: High due to exotic car styling, performance and exclusivity
- Fun to spank: As long as you've got it charged up... it's SHOCKINGLY FUN!

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Mid motor/battery / rear-wheel drive
Engine: 375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor with variable frequency drive
Power (SAE): 300 hp (estimated)
Torque: 300 lbs.-ft. (estimated)
Transmission: 1 speed fixed gear
Curb weight: 2723 lbs.
0-60 mph: 3.9 sec. 1/4 mile : n/a
Top Speed: 125 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage (mpg): n/a
Base price: $109,000 (est.)
Competitors: Hyabusa-engined smart fortwo, Yamaha YZF R1, Toyota Prius with JATO package