SpaceGhost Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/01/1-24-08-tesla.jpg Between all the hoopla surrounding "temporary transmissions" and ever-shifting EPA range targets, one critical aspect of the Tesla Roadster's long, strange trip to market has been mostly overlooked: federal safety approval. Yep, no matter how sleek, fast, and quiet the little red (green) machine might be, Uncle Sam still needed to make sure the signals signaled and the bumpers bumped -- but according to a post on the Tesla blog by a VP named Malcom Powell, the Roadster is now fully approved and can legally go on sale. Don't jump for the piggy bank just yet, though -- while Elon Musk will be getting his straight off, everyone else will have to wait until March 17th for the production line to kick into gear. Once that happens, though, Tesla says it'll churn out 40 of the $100,000 cars per week -- so hopefully that waiting list'll get trimmed soonish. http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/01/1-24-08-tesla.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oo0martelle0oO Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I thought they were able to be sold in the US before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I thought they were able to be sold in the US before? Sounds like they aren't on sale yet. Even so, it's possible it would have been sold as a Kit Car so it could get though a lot of the red tape. The Ariel Atom is like that. You get the entire car less the engine and then the engine on a separate pallet. I would thikn though, that getting it officially approved lets Tesla become a real car manufacturer which proabaly has some benefits.. Hell, considering they sell electric cars, I'll bet they're in line for a bunch of fat government checks now that they're an official manufacturer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 would rather have a atom at half the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Sounds like they aren't on sale yet. Even so, it's possible it would have been sold as a Kit Car so it could get though a lot of the red tape. The Ariel Atom is like that. You get the entire car less the engine and then the engine on a separate pallet. I would thikn though, that getting it officially approved lets Tesla become a real car manufacturer which proabaly has some benefits.. Hell, considering they sell electric cars, I'll bet they're in line for a bunch of fat government checks now that they're an official manufacturer. no atoms are turn key cars 0 assembly required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 no atoms are turn key cars 0 assembly required. That's new. I went through their whole website sign-up a few years ago and they specificly said that you recieved the car in two parts: Chassis and engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 That's new. I went through their whole website sign-up a few years ago and they specificly said that you recieved the car in two parts: Chassis and engine. You have the option to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Sounds like they aren't on sale yet. Even so, it's possible it would have been sold as a Kit Car so it could get though a lot of the red tape. The Ariel Atom is like that. You get the entire car less the engine and then the engine on a separate pallet. I would thikn though, that getting it officially approved lets Tesla become a real car manufacturer which proabaly has some benefits.. Hell, considering they sell electric cars, I'll bet they're in line for a bunch of fat government checks now that they're an official manufacturer. Selling it as a kit car was never an option for Tesla. They had to prove that the electric car was viable for production, meets all government standards, and went through a full product development and testing cycle. They're not on sale yet. They have been delayed due to transmission durability problems. On March 17th they start building one car per week, eventually ramping up to 40 cars per week. There are only 100 being made the first model year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 First drive: http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtes...roadster_video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88lx5oh Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 jay leno has had one for a bit now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science Abuse Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I get it, a car isn't legal to drive in the US until the manufacturer lays some people off. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Yeah, I'd much rather have an Atom for about 60k (with the minium options I could have on one). Of course this thing is much more civil, but is a freaking electric car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I love it. No gas would be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 jay leno has had one for a bit now No, he got to drive the prototype and has an order for one, but they haven't even made their first production car yet. The handful that have been built so far were only for testing purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImUrOBGYN Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 First drive: http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtes...roadster_video Bad link. I remember when they first started this car. I think it would pretty cool. The immediate steady torque would feel cool and no gas, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 They sound cool when they are driving in my opinion. (no v8 sound but the sound they do make I think is cool) Again performance and no gas sound cool to me. I just wish the price could be cut in half and maybe I could swing one. Oh well, I can't afford a Ferrari either, except an old 308 or something but my car now would kill a 308. So meh. I really like what I have. Maybe in the future. If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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