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2020 Tesla Roadster II Makes European Debut In Switzerland

Remember that “surprise” Tesla promised to reveal this week in Switzerland? As it happens, the electric vehicle manufacturer brought the Roadster II in concept flavor at the 2018 Grand Basel Auto Show, not the production-ready version as it was expected. But as opposed to the U.S. debut on November 16th, 2017, the car is painted white instead of red.
Tesla Roadster II concept (European debut) 7 photos
Photo: SПQ on Twitter
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The most anticlimactic premiere of the year shouldn’t come as a surprise, not when Tesla is bleeding money as it pulls off every trick in the book to ramp up Model 3 production. Development expenses with the Semi, Pickup, and Model Y shouldn’t be forgotten either.

It is anyone’s guess why Tesla chose to exhibit the Roadster II in Europe in an official manner, more so if you bear in mind that Elon Musk isn’t a fan of automotive shows. As ever, the specifications are unchanged from the original release.

Acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour takes 1.9 seconds, the quarter-mile stint is over in 8.8 seconds, and top speed is quoted at 250-plus miles per hour. With 620 miles of range from a 200-kWh battery, the Roadster II makes even hypercar manufacturers such as Koenigsegg blush with jealousy.

Reservations are open for both the regular model and the Founders Series, and customers need to pony up $50,000 just to get in the queue. Pricing starts at $200,000 for the bone-stock configuration, moving up to $250,000 for the limited edition. According to Tesla, production of the Founders Series will end after the 1,000th example rolls off the assembly line.

The second generation of the Roadster comes with a removable glass roof, which can be stored in the trunk when the owner wants to feel the wind in his hair as he drives along. Even though the newcomer features four seats, the rear bench isn’t spacious enough for adults. Kneeroom and headroom are the culprits.

According to Tesla, the Roadster II will see the light of day by the end of 2020, but not before the Model Y enters production in November 2019. It remains to be seen, however, if the Palo Alto-based automaker can keep both of its promises.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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