Skip advert
Advertisement

Tesla Roadster claimed sub-1sec 0-60mph time – Mate Rimac weighs in

Elon Musk has announced new details for the long-awaited Tesla Roadster, but Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac has his reservations

The second-generation Tesla Roadster has seen the most tumultuous launch of any car in modern history, but if recent updates are to be believed, it might finally be close to fruition. Over four years since it was initially set to enter production and seven since its reveal, Elon Musk has announced that the Tesla Roadster will be unveiled in its final form towards the end of 2024, before first deliveries commence in 2025.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Along with details of this new timeline, Elon Musk revealed that the company had ‘radically increased the design goals,’ adding that ‘...there will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car’. Continuing an X thread from 2018 in which he spoke about the use of gas thrusters, Musk said that the model would be a collaboration between Tesla and the spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, revealing that it would achieve a record-breaking sub-1sec 0-60mph time.

> The Bugatti Chiron’s successor will feature a hybrid V16, and it sounds incredible

In a social media response to this bold claim, Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac said: ‘...it is possible with thrusters. We did the simulation. Problem is, you release the air in 2-3 seconds and then you have a lot of dead weight that you are carrying around (tanks, compressor, valves, nozzles etc.).’ He went on to say that such an acceleration figure could also be achieved through the use of fans as we’ve seen in the McMurtry Spéirling, but added that ‘the tires would be overloaded very fast with any kind of car with “normal supercar” weight’. Rimac concluded that ‘thrusters are really the only way to go. But bring a lot of downsides as well’.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

As is common with all Tesla product launches, the ambitious new Roadster has seen a number of setbacks since its 2017 reveal, with Musk blaming both the pandemic and parts supply issues for the over four-year delay to its initially proposed launch. In 2019, Tesla confirmed that we’d only see the all-electric supercar hit the road once the firm had achieved a number of milestones, most notably the construction of its Berlin ‘Gigafactory’, establishing Model Y production and launching the Cybertruck, all of which have now been achieved. 

The original Roadster was Tesla’s first production model, based on a heavily modified Lotus Elise platform. This new model looks rather more ambitious – as we've come to expect from Tesla – and is promising some pretty ambitious on-paper performance figures. No power figure is yet quoted, and you can ignore Tesla's torque figure of over 7300lb ft, as it's a ‘wheel torque’, multiplied by gearing and therefore not directly comparable to the crank torque (or motor torque) quoted by other manufacturers.

This time around, the Roadster delivers its power and torque figures through all four wheels, and will do so effectively from rest. Tesla hasn't specified a weight figure, but it's safe to assume the Roadster will be lighter than models S, X and 3, given its claimed sub-1sec 0-60mph time. The quarter-mile time previously quoted was just 8.8sec thanks to its ‘Plaid’ powertrain, consisting of three motors as opposed to the usual two, and a new uprated battery pack.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Unlike many electric cars, acceleration doesn't come at the expense of a range-limiting top speed either, with Tesla suggesting 'over 250mph' at the top end. It's fair to assume that top speed would somewhat limit range, though driven at a more sedate pace, Tesla also claims a 620-mile range from its 200kWh battery pack.

Its styling is still a representation of what the new Roadster could look like, rather than a direct correlation to what will be available to buyers when (if) it does eventually arrive. If the coupe styling is confusing given Tesla's choice of the Roadster moniker, things become a little clearer when the central targa-style panel is removed.

The interior is said to seat four, and is typically Tesla-minimalist. Though the dashboard layout is more conventional than that of other Teslas, it does feature an aircraft-style yoke steering wheel that’s already caused so much controversy in the latest Model S Plaid

Tesla began taking deposits of $50,000 on the $200,000 Roadster from the moment it was unveiled – or full-price deposits of $250,000 on what it's calling a Founder Series model. First customer cars are now set to hit the road in 2025, not far from a decade after its initial unveiling.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Jaguar releases a teaser of its bold new GT concept
Jaguar Design Vision Concept teaser
News

Jaguar releases a teaser of its bold new GT concept

Jaguar's controversial rebrand will begin with a four-door Porsche Taycan-rivalling GT, and this teaser gives us a first glimpse at its design
21 Nov 2024
The new Porsche Taycan GTS is a battery-powered BMW M5 rival
Porsche Taycan GTS – front
News

The new Porsche Taycan GTS is a battery-powered BMW M5 rival

The new Taycan GTS is lighter than the new M5 and almost as powerful – and you can have it as an estate
12 Nov 2024
Bentley has delayed its plan to go fully electric, but its first EV is on target for 2026
Bentley electric SUV
News

Bentley has delayed its plan to go fully electric, but its first EV is on target for 2026

Bentley is on course to launch its first EV in 2026, but its goal to become fully electric has been pushed back to 2035
8 Nov 2024
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
Reviews

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 

The GTX badge has been applied to the ID.3 in efforts to bring a sharper drive to Volkswagen’s smallest EV. We find out if it’s pulled it off
7 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Roadster

Tesla Roadster could accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 2 seconds
News

Tesla Roadster could accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 2 seconds

Tesla boss Elon Musk suggests how fast a new electric sports car could go
16 Jun 2017
Just looking – Tesla Roadster
Features

Just looking – Tesla Roadster

Tesla's first attempt at an electric car is still one of its most appealing
16 Jul 2016
Saleen tuned Tesla Model S
Performance specialist Saleen tweaks Tesla Model S
News

Saleen tuned Tesla Model S

US tuning firm Saleen has tweaked the electric Tesla Model S, to unlock some more of the car's performance potential.
19 Aug 2014
200mph 'flow cell' concept hits German roads
Quant e-Limousine
News

200mph 'flow cell' concept hits German roads

The Quant e-Sportlimousine backs up striking design with new electric propulsion tech and a 200mph-plus top speed
18 Jul 2014
Saleen to tune Tesla Model S
Saleen to tune Tesla Model S
News

Saleen to tune Tesla Model S

The world of tuning is to take a step into the unknown, as Saleen confirms it wants to tune the Tesla Model S. Details here
7 Feb 2014
Tesla Model S launched in the UK
Tesla Model S launched in the UK
News

Tesla Model S launched in the UK

Tesla has opened a new dealership in London, and has announced its to sell the Model S hybrid saloon next year. Details, pictures and UK pricing here
14 Nov 2013
Tesla on Ice
Tesla on Ice
Features

Tesla on Ice

Batteries hate the cold, right? So how long can an electric car run in temperatures well below zero? John Barker finds out in a Tesla Roadster Sport o…
13 May 2013
Detroit Electric sports car
Detroit Electric sports car Lotus Elise blue front
News

Detroit Electric sports car

A new Lotus Elise-alike electric sports car from Detroit Electric promises 3.7sec 0-62 time and 180-mile range
4 Apr 2013
Tesla Sport
Tesla Roadster Sport
News

Tesla Sport

Tesla hits profitability and unveils the more potent electric Roadster Sport
20 Aug 2009
Tesla Roadster
Tesla Roadster
Features

Tesla Roadster

Is the Tesla electric Roadster a practical proposition? Peter Tomalin investigates
2 Jun 2009
Tesla Roadster
Tesla electric car
Videos

Tesla Roadster

Ssssh! It's the electric Tesla. Watch it silently accelerate to 60mph in five seconds...
26 May 2009
Skip advert
Advertisement
Tesla Roadster review
News

Tesla Roadster review

Harry Metcalfe drives the £92K electrically-powered Tesla Roadster and looks at the company’s plans
18 Sep 2008
Tesla Roadster
News

Tesla Roadster

130mph electric-powered sports car to be built by Lotus
22 Aug 2006