Tesla Roadster – second-generation debuts; 0-97 km/h in 1.9 seconds, 402 km/h top speed, 998 km range

As it turns out, Elon Musk is a big fan of surprises, and here’s another. This is the second-generation Tesla Roadster, the successor to the Lotus Elise-based, battery electric sports car that was first introduced in 2006.

Unlike the original, the new Roadster rides on a completely bespoke platform, and as you can see, has a design that screams, “look at me.” The front end does not downplay on the aggression, and incorporates slender LED headlights that link up with slim intakes at the corners of the bumper.

The sculpted bodywork features heavily-flared fenders, along with cues like an air outlet just behind the front wheels. As before, there’s still a targa top that you still have to fiddle around with, as there doesn’t appear to be a powered mechanism for the roof.

At the rear, you’ll find a small active rear wing tucked just above the ultra-thin tail lights, while the lower section is taken up entirely by a prominent diffuser element. The overall package isn’t just aerodynamically efficient, it also makes the Roadster quite stunning to look at, even from the back.

Of course, you might be seeing more of the Roadster’s rear, as Tesla claims the Roadster will deliver record-setting acceleration, range and performance. Full details on the electric powertrain aren’t released yet, but the car will have all-wheel drive and wheel torque is an amazing 10,000 Nm.

Performance-wise, the zero to 97 km/h (0-60 mph) sprint is said to be completed in just 1.9 seconds, and zero to 161 km/h (0-100 mph) takes 4.2 seconds. The top speed is claimed to be over 402 km/h (250 mph), while a quarter mile sprint is done and dusted in 8.8 seconds.

Should you prefer to focus on aspects beyond outright performance, like the all-electric range, you’ll be glad to know the Roadster’s 200-kWh battery pack is capable of 998 km, or 620 miles on a single charge. It’s also practical too – there’s seating for up to four people, so three of your friends can experience the brutality of the car’s performance together with you.

While inside, passengers can also tap away at the large, portrait-format touchscreen for the car’s infotainment system. However, only the driver gets to get his/her fingers on the racing-style steering wheel in the otherwise minimalistic cabin.

Tempted? Well, the car’s base price is US$200,000 (RM832,600), and if you want to be on the waiting list, Tesla will want US$50,000 (RM208,200). Also being offered is something called the Founder Series, which costs more at US$250,000 (RM1,041,000), and could come with more goodies. To reserve one of those, the full amount is required upfront, and only 1,000 slots are available.

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