Recognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

  • Jeroen
  • 2012-05-04 16:00
  • 2387
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Recognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

The Roadster from Tesla Motors is available for a few years and we have seen a lot of these electric sports cars on Autogespot. A lot of spotters don’t know which exact version they’ve spotted. A chance for us to explain you the differences between the different versions.

To start, we have two different versions of the Tesla Roadster. The first version is the 'Roadster', as it is called on Autogespot. This is the basic version of the cabriolet and is also called the 2.0. Tesla announced a facelift in 2010. The car was available for two years and needed a facelift. This facelift version is called 'Roadster 2.5' on Autogespot.
Next to that we also have a Roadster Sport. This version was available as 2.0 and 2.5. On Autogespot these cars are called 'Roadster Sport' and 'Roadster Sport 2.5'. Of the first Roadster, Tesla Motors made a Signature Edition. This is a limited model with only 250 copies. This package was available for the Roadster as well as the Roadster Sport. How to recognize these Signature Editions will be explained further on in this article.

Front of the Roadster versus the Roadster 2.5
On the left we see a Roadster and on the right we see a facelift, the 2.5. You can clearly see the difference. The diffuser of the roadster consists one part and goes from the left side to the right side of the bumper. At the Roadster 2.5 you can see that the complete bumper continues on the bottom. Also, the Roadster 2.5 has a grille with horizontal bars while the Roadster has some kind of black gauze.
The most outstanding detail is the bumper. As you can see the bumper of the Roadster is made out of one piece. The Roadster 2.5 has two air intakes on both sides for cooling the car. These air intakes really stand out in comparison to the other bumper.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

Rear of the Roadster versus the Roadster 2.5
Again we see the Roadster on the left side and the Roadster 2.5 on the right side. The only difference is the diffuser. You can see that this diffuser, which is completely made out of carbon fiber, is made out of one piece at the Roadster. You can also see the same gauze as we saw at the front of the car. The diffuser of the Roadster 2.5 has more reflectors on the left and right side of the diffuser. Also, the diffuser of the Roadster 2.5 has six air intakes which make a difference with the Roadster.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

The Roadster/Roadster 2.5 versus the Roadster Sport/Roadster Sport 2.5
The Sport version is launched as facelift, but also the pre facelift has this version. For the recognition, the Sport version always has a badge on the back of the car which says ‘Roadster Sport’. You can also find this badge on the side of car, in front of the rear wheels.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

For the real fanatics we also have some details inside the car. The Roadster Sport has ‘TESLA’ on its seats where the letter S is coloured red. At the standard Roadster the letter S isn’t red. This is for the 2.0 as well as the 2.5. We know that one Roadster Sport in the Netherlands has the TESLA-letters in the colour of the exterior. We have also seen some non Sport Roadsters with a red letter S on the website.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

How to recognize the Signature Edition?
At the introduction of the first Roadster, Tesla Motors came with a Signature Edition. The first 250 copies of the Tesla Roadster were equipped with this package. Principally, you get a full-option Roadster which means, a lot of carbon fiber. You can also order the carbon fiber package as an option. So when you see a pre facelift Roadster with a carbon fiber package, this won’t have to be a Signature Edition. The Signature Edition is available as a standard Roadster, but also as a Roadster Sport.

Almost every Signature Edition has a badge on the side of the car. This badge says ‘Signature 250’. You can find the most important thing inside the car. Between both seats you can find a plaque with the serial number of the car.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

What does the carbon fiber package look like?
Below you can see an example of the carbon fiber package which you can order as an option. The second picture shows an example of what it looks like when you don’t order this option.

Recognize the car: Tesla Motors RoadsterRecognize the car: Tesla Motors Roadster

Are you, after reading this article, still not sure about which version you have spotted? Send an email to the Tesla-expert by clickinghere.

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