ChargeIt! said:The problem with that is ... it's too expensive and resource-diverting. They would still have to re-design the Evora due to the requirements of the heavy ESS/powertrain. Plus re-do crash testing, etc etc etc to meet FMVSS....
Oh absolutely! As has been said by Tesla many times, converting an existing car is far harder than designing new; the Roadster isn't simply a hollowed out Elise filled full of batteries; different suspension points, frame extensions and the reworking of most of the body panels.
I anticipate they'll have Lotus build as many gliders as makes sense to satisfy the growing sales roll-out, store them in a factory space they might just find themselves owning in CA and then roll them out, adding power, batteries and interior just-in-time to meet demand.
They'll have to keep one at least; in case DrTaras has too much fun again ;-)
Remember that the moment they stop shipping cars or making headlines they'll loose so much momentum. There will be a 2011 model or signature/specials... Perhaps even a special with proper Xenon headlights ;-)
I suppose that at the outside, if demand is really high they could option the rights to build new gliders using Lotus designs; they're hand-built... "How hard can it be?"
I wonder how much of the IPR Tesla owns for the Roadster glider?
Come 2013- we'll have a Tesla 2+2 based on the S glider; nice