Okay, let’s get this straight: Contrary to what you may have heard, the original Tesla Roadster, produced from 2008 to early 2012, was not an electrified Lotus Elise.
Yes, these cars closely resemble each other and share some parts, but under the skin they’re worlds apart. In a 2008 blog entry, then-Tesla VP Darryl Siry, tongue firmly in cheek, put it this way: “So you could say that the Tesla is similar to a Lotus Elise, except it has a totally different drivetrain, body panels, aluminum tub, rear subframe, brakes, ABS system, HVAC and rear suspension.
“If you were to try to convert an Elise to a Tesla and started throwing away parts that aren’t carried over, you would basically be left with a windshield, dashboard (complete with air bags), front wishbones and a removeable soft top.” He didn’t mention the outside rearview mirrors.
Early in the Tesla’s development, its designers realized the benefits of using an existing,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Grassroots Motorsports Online Articles…