This One-of-a-Kind, Heavily Modded Tesla Roadster Prototype Is Currently up for Grabs
An extremely rare piece of Tesla history is currently up for grabs.
The one-of-a-kind Roadster RR is currently up for sale, according to Electrek. The sporty EV is the only prototype built of a planned performance package that never ended up seeing the light of day.
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It’s almost forgotten today, but the Roadster is the model that gave Tesla its start. The rebodied Lotus Elise was built between 2008 and 2012 and offered proof that Elon Musk’s company could build and sell an actual electric car. Near the end of production, Tesla was exploring the idea of developing a performance package for the vehicle as a way for its service department to make money. The program would eventually stall out due to leadership changes in the department, but not before this prototype was built.
The EV—which would have been called either the Roadster RR or Roadster E-Sport had it made it to market—began its life as a 2.5 Sport. Originally sold in 2012, it was reacquired by Tesla after it was involved in an accident. It was then repaired and rebuilt at the company’s Seattle service division. Then the fun began.
The proposed $30,000 performance package features a slew of upgrades that you can and cannot see. The biggest changes include a Hollinger limited slip differential specially tuned for EV torque, front and rear Tarox performance brakes, and a custom-tuned suspension system. It also features custom carbon-fiber bodywork, a clear-coat finish (it’s the only Roadster with an exposed carbon-fiber body), and a reupholstered interior.
The EV’s powertrain appears to have been left untouched. The 2.5 Sport featured a single motor that sent 288 hp and 295 ft lbs of torque to the rear axle. This version of the Roadster came with a 53-kWh battery that was good for a range of 244 miles, but the prototype’s battery has been swapped out for a pack with a 88-kWh capacity that bumps range up to 400 miles, according to the listing. The EV has totaled just 100 miles since its new battery pack was installed, so it stands to be in decent shape.
Interested? The one-and-only Roadster RR is currently up for sale through a dedicated website. You’ll have to reach out to the seller for pricing info, but it wouldn’t be all that shocking if they’re asking more than the 2.5 Sport’s original $150,000 sticker price.
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