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Home / News / Updated Tesla Roadster now good for 400-miles on a single charge

Updated Tesla Roadster now good for 400-miles on a single charge

Musk's Lotus-based sports car receives battery and aerodynamic upgrades

Hang on, isn’t the Roadster old news?

It has been a long time since anything has been mentioned about the all-electric two-seater; even Tesla’s UK website buries the model at the very bottom of its homepage, but Mr Musk has got news.

What is it then?

The Tesla Roadster 3.0, as it has been dubbed, will now eke out 400 miles from a single charge thanks to a 50% improvement to range. This is due to a new 70kW battery pack, which stores 31% more energy, and new aerodynamic packaging that reduces drag by 15%. Fresh tyres, wheels and bearings also help cut out rolling resistance, meaning the latest version is a slippery devil.

All of the old Tesla Roadster owners must be gutted…

Ah but that’s where you’re wrong, because customers with previous versions of the car will be contacted and offered the upgrade package, although a price for that is yet to be determined. Tesla says it’s as simple as whacking in a new battery pack, tweaking a few body panels and adding those super-smooth wheels and tyres.

It all sounds great in theory, but will it work in practice?

The Musk-meister is confident that the Roadster 3.0 will actually drive 400-miles on a single charge. In fact, he will be demonstrating the car in the real world during a non-stop drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles later this month.

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Profile image of Leon Poultney Leon Poultney Freelance Automotive and Tech Writer

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Relentlessly covering the automotive industry for as long as I can remember. Loving nothing more than vintage cafe racer motorcycles, tech-laden cars and VW Camper Vans.A published writer for various outlets of varying degrees of cool. If I'm not geeking out about the latest turbocharger or swotting up on hybrid powertrains, I can be found bobbing around in the sea on a surfboard pretending to be good at wave-sliding. Or just walking the dog.