Tesla Roadster 2.5 Arrives in Australia

It’s been almost a year since the electric car maker announced it would bring the battery-powered sportscar to the Land Down Under, but now the Roadster 2.5 has finally arrived. The bad news is that it sports a price tag of AUD206,188 ($205,022 US at the current exchange rate), a lot higher than the $109,000 Tesla asks for the US version.

First contact with potential Australian customers was made at the First Fleet Park in Sydney last Saturday. However, Tesla has not completed its dealership network yet, while the carmaker plans to eventually establish a presence in Sydney, according to Autoblog.

“Tesla is revolutionizing the ownership experience with its house call approach to service. Tesla's mobile service technicians, the Tesla Rangers, travel to customers' homes or offices to perform annual inspections, firmware upgrades and other services. This unique program offers Roadster owners unparalleled convenience whether they live in Sydney or Perth,” stated the official press release that announced the arrival of the car.

The Roadster 2.5 is the fourth incarnation of the EV in just two years and was unveiled to the public last year at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It features improvements in design and technology, including a new front fascia, rear diffuser, sound dampening and an optional large touch screen navigation system with back-up camera. The car is easier to live with, thanks to interior sound reduction and new front fender liner material, which combine to make the cabin quieter. So far, the company has sold more than 1,500 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia.