Tesla Roadster: 0 to 100 in less than a second

by Paul Murrell It sounds like something from science fiction, and to be honest, we can’t understand what the benefit would be. Tesla’s sec...

by Paul Murrell

It sounds like something from science fiction, and to be honest, we can’t understand what the benefit would be.

Tesla’s second-generation roadster has, according to CEO Elon Musk, the capacity to accelerate from 0 to 60mph (97km/h) in less than one second.

To crack the sub-one second time, the Tesla roadster uses not only electric power but an optional Rocket Thruster package developed in conjunction with Musk’s other company, SpaceX.

Without the rocket thruster the time is 21. seconds.

But get this.

The quarter mile will take just 8.88 seconds and it will have a top speed more than 400km/h.

To put this in perspective, the 2014 Roadster R80 (3.0) and indeed the 2.5 Sport, with 215kW and 400Nm of torque could do the dash in 3.7 seconds.

The prototype made a debut in 2017.

Of the concept Musk said: "The point of doing this is to give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars. Driving a gasoline sports car is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche."

Musk has indicated that the new model may go on sale in 2025, but the launch has been delayed several times.

 

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