Differences in roadster versions

[frequencydip]

Does anyone know what changed form version to version, i.e. 1.5 to 2.0 to 2.5? I'm looking to build a comprehensive list.

[vfx]

Does anyone know what changed form version to version, i.e. 1.5 to 2.0 to 2.5? I'm looking to build a comprehensive list.
VIN #500 was the last 1.5

[Doug_G]

Any such list won't be entirely accurate, because Tesla phased in a lot of upgrades as they became available, and in some cases retrofitted cars already on the road.

[TEG]

There are old threads you can find on this forum that describe most of the differences.
The biggest change was 1.5 -> 2.0 (at VIN #501) where they switched to a new motor/PEM. You can tell those right away from the VDS in the center (instead of to the left) with the push-button direction selector (instead of "stick-shift"). That is also when they removed the tach and replaced it with the kW power meter.
Soon afterwards they introduced the sport variant. The changes from 2.0 to 2.5 were more cosmetic. Perhaps the revised front and rear bumpers are the most noticeable... And the double DIN dashboard NAV upgrade option.

There is a whole history of seat upgrades. And exterior color options...

[tennis_trs]

...The biggest change was 1.5 -> 2.0 (at VIN #501) where they switched to a new motor/PEM...
...Soon afterwards they introduced the sport variant....

The Sport model was available at the start of the 2.0/2010 models. #502 was a Sport:
My New Roadster 2.0 Sport (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/5913-My-New-quot-old-quot-Roadster-2-0-Sport)

[TEG]

I think that qualifies as "soon"... :smile:

[frequencydip]

Ok good so far, here are some specifics, please confirm or correct as needed:

Early Versions
Engineering Prototypes 5
Validation Prototypes 17

Version 1.5
Founders series 27
Signature series 100
Production series 400

Version 2.0 VIN#'s 501-?
New Motor design
New PEM design
Introduction of Sport model
VDS moved from left to center console
Push button shifting replaced lever shift knob
Replaced tach meter with kW power meter.

Version 2.5 Vin#'s ?-2500
Double DIN dashboard NAV upgrade option, 7" touchscreen display with back-up camera
A new look, which includes a new front fascia with diffusing vents, and rear diffuser
Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black
New seats with improved comfort, larger more supportive bolsters and a new lumbar support system
Power control hardware that enables spirited driving in exceptionally hot climates
Improved interior sound reduction including new front fender liner material to make the cabin quieter
PEM improvements for cooling

Roadsters shipped by Geo
North America 1464
Europe 799 ???
Asia 237 ???

[Doug_G]

2.5 also had PEM upgrades.

[TEG]

I had taken a "stab" at figuring out those production numbers before.
Mentioned here:
Where they now? The first 100 Roadsters (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/3672-Where-they-now-The-first-100-Roadsters?p=106756&viewfull=1#post106756)

I think in 2006 they may have made 10 EPs.
I think in 2007 they may have made 14 VPs.
I think in 2008 they may have made 17 VPs, 27 Founders' and 100 signature models. (Plus around 400 more regular production models.)

[TEG]

The Sport model was available at the start of the 2.0/2010 models. #502 was a Sport:
My New Roadster 2.0 Sport (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/5913-My-New-quot-old-quot-Roadster-2-0-Sport)

I might be wrong, but I think they delivered #501 as a non-sport customer car, but held onto #502 for internal evaluation for a long while (but eventually sold it I think.)
As I recall there was a bit of a delay between the first 2.0 customer delivery and the first "2.0 sport" delivery even though you are right that #501 is the first 2.0 and #502 is the first 2.0 sport.

[TEG]

...
Version 2.0 VIN#'s 501-?

I recall the transition from 2.0 to 2.5 was a little "squishy". It didn't happen at a model year changeover like 1.5->2.0 did.
I think the 2.5's start showing up around VIN #964


Version 2.5 Vin#'s ?-2500
More like 964-1464 (hmm, that is exactly 500...)

You may want to look at this posting:
Roadster production dates (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/6308-Roadster-production-dates?p=81455&viewfull=1#post81455)

Also, note, I dug up a lot of info (looking at Carfax and such) on North American bound Roadsters, but have very little knowledge of the European/Asia/Australia sequence. If you only talk of the last 4 digits of the VIN then there can be another (but non-North American) Roadster with a VIN that ends in the same last 4 digits.
The European VIN -> Model feature and production count list is a bit different from what went to North America, so you would likely want to try to track them separately.

[tennis_trs]

...
Version 2.5 Vin#'s ?-2500
...
Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black
...
Power control hardware that enables spirited driving in exceptionally hot climates
...
PEM improvements for cooling
...

I believe that "Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black" were available for at least 2.0 and maybe 1.5. I believe that the change at 2.5 was just a different design (I thought just cosmetic).

I thought that most of the changes that improved cooling were done starting at the 2.0.

[augkuo]

Also later versions (past 783) had a plastic trunk flocked instead of exposed carbon fiber -

62426243

[daniel]

So 1.0 was only the prototypes, and the first actual production Roadsters were 1.5? Interesting.

[vfx]

Hasn't all this been done before?

[doug]

Hasn't all this been done before?
Yes, hopefully TEG can add some organization.

[TEG]

I can try to make a summary posting consolidating these different questions, ideas, and information.
It will take a little time though.

[TEG]

So 1.0 was only the prototypes, and the first actual production Roadsters were 1.5? Interesting.
Some of the EPs, VPs, Founders and very early sig 100 started out with 1.0 drivetrain, but got upgraded/retrofitted with 1.5 as soon as it was available.
The original 1.0 idea called for a 2 speed gearbox. The 1.5 "redo" switched to single speed gearbox, but a vastly improved PEM that provided enough more low end torque to make up for the loss of a lower gear.

[TEG]

I believe that "Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black" were available for at least 2.0 and maybe 1.5. I believe that the change at 2.5 was just a different design (I thought just cosmetic).
.

Originally the Roadster was only offered with the silver finish forged wheel seen on the left here:
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x453/tgriner2/wheels15.jpg
(the black finish was mostly seen on 2.0 sports later.)
Part way through 2008 production, they switched to a standard cast wheel as seen here:
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x453/tgriner2/wheels20.jpg
And they made the forged wheel optional. For a while they were delivering cars with a dark finish (as seen in the right picture above) on the cast wheel, but switched to a shinier finish (on the left) later on.

With the 2.5s they switched the forged wheel option to a revised "pinwheel" design as seen here:
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x453/tgriner2/wheels25.jpg

Over time some people swapped wheels, or "mixed & matched" options so it isn't really clear to know what year or variation of Roadster will have which exact wheel.
Generally the black wheels tend to be on sports. Generally the cast wheels tend to be on non-sports. But there are exceptions to that as well.

[doug]

As they got close to 2010, they switched to a standard cast wheel as seen here:
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x453/tgriner2/wheels20.jpg
And they made the forged wheel optional.
Actually, this was a feature of the January 2009 price increase on the 2008MY which affected cars somewhere around VIN200 through VIN500. So this was, in fact, considered the standard wheel for the majority of the 2008MY cars. As you say, the iconic forged Tesla wheels became an added cost ($2300?) option.

[SByer]

I've got the black directionals on mine, for example. Mine came with the silver spoked because the black ones hadn't gotten in yet - my delivery was early on in the switch over / cost increase. The initial spoked gunmetal color was an accident that looked good, so a number of owners kept them. I might have had I the chance, and had I known what I know now - the black directionals look super fantastic after a wash/wax, but quickly gather dust and almost become gunmetal colored themselves (even in that state, I far prefer them on my car over the silver ones).

Yes, this is all vouja des.

[strider]

And I have a 2.5 with the earlier forged wheels. My wife didn't like how shiny the newer forged wheels were while the older ones were more brushed instead of polished. Tesla had spares so they swapped them for us.

Then you have the 2.25's which are 2.0's with the 2.5 front and rear fascia's and perhaps the 2.5 sound dampening.

So yeah, the joy of a boutique manufacturer is that they are willing to do one-off's for their customers. Though it makes specific model identification (aside from the big stuff) difficult.

[daniel]

Some of the EPs, VPs, Founders and very early sig 100 started out with 1.0 drivetrain, but got upgraded/retrofitted with 1.5 as soon as it was available.
The original 1.0 idea called for a 2 speed gearbox. The 1.5 "redo" switched to single speed gearbox, but a vastly improved PEM that provided enough more low end torque to make up for the loss of a lower gear.
Ah ha! The two-speed tranny. That was one of several reasons I decided not to get a Roadster way back when. I thought it was a very bad idea. They were actually having trouble with it already, and in the prototype they gave me a ride in they had disabled low gear. (The seats in the prototype were another reason, and the loudness of the cooling system was another. All that was greatly improved later, though after a hard drive on a hot day mine is pretty loud as well.)

[wiztecy]

I'm curious in the cooling differences between the 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 releases. In the car cover discussion Eric indicated that the 1.5 had smaller cooling capacity for the battery pack as compared to the 2.x models. Any technical details on this?

I'm very happy on the gunmetal rim "mistake", it really looks good on my radiant red as well as with other color schemes like Eric's.

[jordanthompson]

Hasn't all this been done before?
I've got to believe this is true... I wanted to know how many sports were made. This should be in a wiki or something... yeah, I did check Wikipedia ;-)

[TEG]

I wanted to know how many sports were made...

Just over 500 total for North America, I think...

[jordanthompson]

Just over 500 total for North America, I think...
I'm dieing to know where you got this from. Is it on the web somewhere?

Also-your avatar and handle are hilarious!

[TEG]

I have had a hobby of trying to keep track of all the North American Roadsters that were produced.

[jordanthompson]

How do you do this? Where do you get your data?

[TEG]

I wrote a program to generate hypothetical VINs, and painstakingly typed them into Carfax one by one to see if there were any records for each VIN.
That way, I could tell which Roadsters got registered and which variations (sport/non-sport, Canadian/USA) actually got produced.
I also have a list of a few dozen VINs which never got registered but from the sequence should have been produced. I am guessing that those ones either got shipped overseas, or someone just put it in their own personal "museum" without ever registering the car.