Nicola Tesla was known for his work with electrical engineering; Tesla Motors is known for their stylish electric autos.
The Tesla Roadster, which already is cruising on highways and streets, was designed specifically to allow electric car users a better performing vehicle. On average, most hybrid and electric cars take nearly 10 seconds total to accelerate from 0-60 MPH after the driver steps on the gas. The Roadster, on the other hand, goes from 0-60 MPH in 3.9 seconds flat; not bad at all for a purely electric car. Other Roadster specs include a 14,000 RPM redline and EPA rating of 244 miles per full battery charge (3.5 hours). The amazing body style doesn’t hurt either. It’s sleek and sexy, but the price tag might hurt a little. The Roadster starts at $101,500.
Tesla is fairly new in the automotive industry, as the Roadster is actually the first car they ever released. However, they do have another on the way. The Tesla Model S Hatchback is a completely revamped hatchback sedan, designed to be devoid of the same body design and materials as the Roadster. This car not only has more of a family friendly approach with specs and design but with the $49,900 base price as well. The base model will include a smaller size Lithium battery pack that rates about 160 miles per charge, but larger battery packs are available as upgrades that increase mileage to 230 or 300 miles. The Model S tops out at 130 MPH and can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds (sport model) or 0-60 in 5.6 seconds (standard model). The downside is that Tesla will not begin widescale production on the Model S until sometime in 2011.
