With technology you tend to get a running number which indicates an upgrade over the existing models. Of course, car models tend to be the same, but of course each newer model has it’s own unique code. With Tesla, the blending of technology and motoring brings about both.
In a blog post on Boxing Day, Tesla mentioned that they are indeed bringing upgrades to their Roadster model. The Roadster has been around for years, with it’s first model able to travel 320km on it’s battery charge. Of course this is a range in which if you drive moderately you can achieve that distance. Many a times we have seen the idiots on a very popular British motoring show push engineering to the limits where the Tesla only managed 55 miles (89km).
As shameless as I am, I am going to draw a relationship between Tesla and Malaysia. Firstly, initially when the Tesla Roadster was being conceived, Tesla had an agreement with Lotus in terms of products and services. As you all would know, Lotus is now owned by DRB-HICOM through it’s acquisition of Proton. Again, shamelessly.
Since it’s launch, Tesla has come a long way and the upcoming upgrades for the Roadster 3.0 is incredible.
1. Batteries
The original Roadster battery was the very first lithium ion battery put into production in any vehicle. It was state of the art in 2008, but cell technology has improved substantially since then. We have identified a new cell that has 31% more energy than the original Roadster cell. Using this new cell we have created a battery pack that delivers roughly 70kWh in the same package as the original battery.
2. Aerodynamics
The original Roadster had a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.36. Using modern computational methods we expect to make a 15% improvement, dropping the total Cd down to 0.31 with a retrofit aero kit.
3. Rolling Resistance
The original Roadster tires have a rolling resistance coefficient (Crr) of 11.0 kg/ton. New tires that we will use on the Roadster 3.0 have a Crr of roughly 8.9 kg/ton, about a 20% improvement. We are also making improvements in the wheel bearings and residual brake drag that further reduce overall rolling resistance of the car.
All this translate into the Roadster able to achieve a range of more than 400miles (600km). Heck, a lot of cars may not even reach that range.
How do we put that into perspective?
A trip from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis (our northern most state) is only 486km.
Yes, that means with the Tesla Roadster 3.0, we can most probably drive all the way into Thailand. Maybe. Depending on how heavy your foot is.
