If the Roadster had a limited-slip differential then wouldn't the 0-60 time, 60 foot time, and 1/4 mile time be reduced? Wouldn't you have twice the traction off the line? A limited-slip differential probably has more drag though, which would result in slightly reduced range and top speed. Just wondering...
I remember reading somewhere that it was Lotus that suggested Tesla keep the open diff, but I don't remember the reason.
Not being that much of a gear head, what is a good 1/4 mile time for a car in this price range?
I know there was a previous discussion on quarter miles but there wasn't really a comparison between the price points. So I'll try to answer Tim M's question.
I'm going to list the quarter mile times of all the coupes/convertibles I can find in the $90k-120k range avaliable in the US. (I realized there are "bargain" cars like the Z06, SRT-10, and more recent GTR & ZR1, but I'm not including those b/c they do MUCH better than par for their prices. Some times are from 2007 since I couldn't find the 2008 times, but I made sure the car was pretty much unchanged) The list is sorted by price:
13.3 @106mph (Edmunds 2007) 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe $113,400
13.5 @104mph (Motor Trend) 2008 Maserati GranTurismo Coupe $110,000
12.8 @110.2mph (Edmunds) 2008 Audi R8 Coupe quattro $109,000
12.9 (Manufacturer)
2009 Tesla Roadster Convertible $109,000
2008 Tesla Roadster Convertible $98,000
12.2 @ 116.1mph (Edmunds 2007) 2008 Porsche GT3 Coupe $107,500
13.9 @101.5 (Edmunds 2007)2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class CL550 Coupe $103,600
13.4 @107.3 (Manufacturer 2007) 2008 Panoz Esperante GT Coupe $103,040
12.8 (Edmunds) 2008 BMW M6 Convertible $106,100
2008 BMW M6 Coupe $100,300
12.9 @ 112.3 mph (Road & Track 2007) 2008 Cadillac XLR-V Convertible $99,160
13.5 @ 104.4mph (Motor Trend 2007) 2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL550 Roadster $95,300
13.0 @ 109mph (Edmunds 2007) 2008 Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet $94,100
12.9 @ 110.9 mph (Motor Trend) 2009 Jaguar XK-Series XKR Convertible $93,400
I don't think I missed any significant ones (again keep in mind I left out Z06, SRT-10, ZR1, GTR, etc on purpose). 12.9 of the Tesla isn't that bad, 12.8-12.9 is pretty much the "mode" here in this price range. The standout is the GT3, but the Porsche is pretty much almost a "bargain" sports car itself.
For fun you can see the closest gasoline car to the Tesla in terms of performance, handling, looks, chassis, etc:
2008 Lotus Exige S 240
List Price: $64,890 Touring Package: $1600 (pretty much need this if you want leather, sound proofing, carpet, & other standard stuff since it doesn't come on the base model) so $66,490.
240hp, 170lb-ft, 2077lbs
0-60: 4 seconds (manufacturer)
quarter mile: 13.0 sec @ 104.5 mph (Road & Track)