I had never heard of these cars before, but I saw one this evening. I just checked them out online. Apparently they are fully electric cars with lots of muscle.

http://www.teslamotors.com/

quote from link ->
The Tesla Roadster delivers full availability of performance every moment you are in the car, even while at a stoplight. Its peak torque begins at 0 rpm and stays powerful at 14,000 rpm.

This is the precise opposite of what you experience with a gasoline engine, which has very little torque at a low rpm and only reaches peak torque in a narrow rpm range. This forces you to make frequent gear changes to maintain optimal torque. With the Tesla Roadster, you get great acceleration and the highest energy efficiency at the same time. All while requiring no special driving skills to enjoy it. This makes the Tesla Roadster six times as efficient as the best sports cars while producing one-tenth of the pollution.

Damn, sounds amazing. What's the drawback though?

Damn, sounds amazing. What's the drawback though?

-Doesn't use fuel for first 50 miles, then gets on average 100 mpg

I'm calling Shananigans! No way is that thing getting 100mpg average. (unless possibly they are including the distance it traveled on battery)

Got a link?

The Karma uses Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology, developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies. A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. Venture further and the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been exceeded, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle. This balance of electric and gas range makes it entirely possible that Karma drivers who charge their car overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.

First off, the SR20DET isn't that impressive; just about everyone with a 240 has done it (that's why I'm *NOT*....I'm saving up for an RB series, or I'm going to find a 350 to drop in it).


Anyways, as already stated, it's heavy. It's expensive. Doesn't have that great of a range. It's just a sexy electric. And it's old.

I would assume that with the new technologies in battery management that are always improving, it could squeeze out a few more miles per charge, but it's still gonna take 3 full juices to get to Buffalo (that's 24hrs of waiting for full charge, or 4 stops at 1/2 hr each to get to 80% charge (but only at certified quick-charge stations, every 190 miles or so...so plan your route carefully).