There has been a lot of buzz lately about the Tesla Roadster. Even Los Jalops are keeping their eyes peeled for them, especially when the passenger is from the competition. Earlier this month, the folks at Mahalo sent the super sweet Veronica Belmont out to Tesla to check out the roadster for real. With a 0-60 time in the 4 second range, Miss Belmont had a hard time keeping her camera steady. On the practical side, we also get to see a bit of the real world side of the Tesla, like what kind of apparatus owners will need to mount in their garage.
Meet the Aptera, an 850 LB, 330 mpg concept car that should be available soon from manufacturer Accelerated Composites. Powered by a 12 hp diesel and a 25 hp DC motor, this hybrid features a CVT transmission and will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 11 seconds. Make no mistake though, this thing is no Tesla on the road.
Time will tell if the public is ready for the look of the space age composite body.
Think the Tesla looks like a massaged Lotus Elise? Well, there is a good reason for it. The car was designed by Lotus staff for Tesla, based on the Elise. Teslas developed the advanced Lithium Ion batteries that allow the car to travel up to 250 miles without a charge. A newspaper in Norfolk UK is reporting the Lotus has signed an agreement with Tesla to produce the Tesla Roadster at the Lotus plant in Hethel.
