It hasn’t been a cheery week in the world of electric cars, as Think announced it was going into receivership (again-see story) and now as a sad end to Friday, it has been revealed that Tesla is to stop making its iconic and Top Gear-troubling Roadster model.
According to CNN, the electric sports car maker will stop taking orders for the car from US customers in about two months time, to allow it to concentrate on its new vehicle; the Model S.
It is thought that the Silicon Valley firm wants to focus on its new, more family-friendly future as its first sedan model gets ready to launch, potentially opening the brand to a wider audience of car buyers. Deliveries of Model S are expected to begin in mid-2012.
Tesla has delivered more than 1,600 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and the Asia since the model first launched in 2006. With a 0-60mph time of 4 seconds and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, the Roadster transformed the public’s perception of EVs, proving that they could deliver the performance and range of a true sports car.
The Model S ,which will supersede the Roadster, will offer seating for up to seven people and a choice of driving ranges; 160, 230, or 300 miles depending on the battery pack selected. It is expected that the model will cost from around $60,000 and will be able to fully recharge in as 45 minutes.
