Tesla Motors' 2010

Tesla Motors' 2010 Sport Edition Debuts

As part of Tesla Motors' opening of its first New York City showroom in Chelsea this week, the company has unveiled the 2010 version of its Tesla Roadster Sport. There are a host of minor upgrades on the Sport edition, including an array of buttons that have now replaced the gear shift lever, according to Syfy's DVICE blog. The automaker also relocated the iPod dock slot, and made available carbon-fiber accents for the interior as an option. This week marks the first time the company has shown the Sport edition in public, according to the report.

In addition, Tesla Motors is now offering financing for its $100,000 sports car. That's just $1,700 per month for five years. (Gulp.) Meanwhile, AutoblogGreen reports on a rumor that other 2010 Tesla Roadsters will soon receive additional upgrades, including improved cooling, an upgraded power electronics module, a revamped A/C system, an auto-locking glove-box when you leave the car, and always-on Wi-Fi connectivity so the car can report back to Tesla Motors (which you can turn off). No confirmation yet from Tesla on any of this, though.

reveals 2010 Roadster, opens NYC showroom

Ever since DVICE first heard about the luxurious all-electric Tesla Roadster, I've been dying to get behind the wheel of one. Today I finally got my wish, taking the 2010 Roadster Sport for a spin on the streets of NYC as the company threw open the doors on its Manhattan showroom on West 25th St.

It was the first public showing of the Roadster Sport, which differs from the previous model only slightly. The gear shift has been replaced by an array of buttons, the iPod dock is in a more convenient spot, and there are a slew of extra options, including the carbon-fiber accents you see in the pics. It also goes from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds instead of 3.9. I wasn't looking at the spedometer as I rocketed down 11th Ave., but that felt pretty accurate.

Testing the Tesla Roadster

I'm cutting through the dark on a skinny two-lane side road north of Pescadero, Calif., roof stowed, arms jerking wildly around a tiny, non-assisted steering wheel as turn after blind turn fades into vision. It's so quiet, I can hear the tall grass nipping at the carbon fiber fenders as the little two-seater claws out of the curve and dives into the next. I should be in auto nirvana -- the road's empty, there's no posted speed limit. But I've got other thoughts, like how badly I want a Baja-style headlight bar bolted atop this $122,000 Tesla Roadster.

Owners of Porsche, Ferrari and other six-figure sports cars are used to having such sublime handling, grip and raw power at their disposal. To have it without noise, gasoline or emissions is an entirely new concept to the performance crowd. About 500 of the electric cars have been delivered since production began last year; 800 buyers are on the nearly six month-long waiting list. Chances are, if they push this car like I am, they'll want brighter headlights, too.

I'm on a three-day, 460-mile mission to challenge the Tesla hype and decide if living on 375 volts is actually enjoyable in the gas age. First order of business: I never got close to Tesla's claimed 244-mile range in which the car can drive without a recharge. Had I driven like a maniacal hypermiler and avoided highways, which drain the battery much faster than back roads, I might have hit 200 miles. Regardless, this car has helped foster the EV renaissance, and shown that speed and "green" can coexist in a vehicle.

Selling this hotbed of technology is risky in a depressed market -- especially given that it's a Silicon Valley startup rather than a traditional auto maker -- but Tesla Motors has shaken up the industry. Germany's Daimler AG, maker of the Mercedes-Benz and Smart brands, has a near-10% stake in the company. While most auto manufacturers feel stifled by stricter fuel economy requirements, possible carbon taxes, depressed sales and the occasional government shareholder, Tesla has managed to develop, build and market a hot-selling electric car as both luxury trinket and planet saver in just a few years' time