Elon Musk revealed that the next-generation Tesla Roadster will be offered with an optional performance package called “SpaceX” (Musk’s other company) that will further improve the already impressive specs of the planned electric supercar.
Speaking at Tesla’s shareholder meeting, Musk said that the production versions of both the Semi and the Roadster will be “even better than what was unveiled”.
“What we unveiled with the Roadster was the base model performance. It’s going to have a SpaceX options package. It’s crazy,” Tesla’s CEO added.
“It’s important for us to show with the Roadster that an electric vehicle can outperform a gasoline car in every way. Because gasoline cars still have sort of a halo effect, and I think if we can show an electric car can outperform a gasoline car in every way, then we sort of get rid of that halo effect of gasoline cars. I think that’s quite a powerful thing for the general public”, Musk concluded without revealing any more details.
Back in November, Musk teased the idea of an upgrade package for the Tesla Roadster on social media, indicating that the company’s upcoming flagship could borrow rocket technology.
Tesla said that the new Roadster will be powered by three electric motors without mentioning a combined horsepower figure. The Palo Alto car maker only said that torque at the wheels is a frankly mind boggling 7,375 lb-ft (10,000Nm), making the Roadster capable of catapulting itself to 60mph (96 km/h) from standstill in 1.9 seconds, and deal with the quarter mile in 8.8 seconds. Top speed is quoted at ‘over 250mph’ (402km/h).