My first encounter with Tesla came about four years ago when I landed on a video of a Roadster racing a Ferrari on YouTube. If you recall the video (I'm unable to find it at this very moment), the EV seriously spanks the prancing horse from Maranello in a drag race. At the time, EVs were very novel and most were no more than concepts or crude prototypes. I had never imagined that the company would thrive, let alone that I would ever get the opportunity to drive one.

The Tesla Roadster is as fast as everyone says. (photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

Well, that has now all changed, and for the better; I got to spend three hours with a Fusion Red Roadster S. I'll be honest and say that I've never had the opportunity to take a Lamborghini or a Ferrari for a test drive but I now know how it will feel when and if I ever have a set of keys handed to me.

The hype
As Mr Hans Ulsrud (Toronto Regional Sales Manager) and myself made our way into the underground garage of some swank digs in Yorkville, I could not help but feel a tinge of child-like excitement when I laid eyes on the supercar silhouette of the Roadster. Although it bares a striking (naturally) resemblance to the latest from Hethel, Norfolk, England, there is something forbidden about this car, as though it was still a secret.

I'm not too sure about “the rest of Canada”, but here in Québec, when a press car is picked up, no one from the make ever gives us a tour of the vehicle and we like it that way. However, I was hoping that Mr. Ulsrud would throw in a how-to with the keys to this car. Following a very brief explanation, I was on my way. Turns-out that the Roadster is no more complex than your average Porsche or any other high-end automobile.

Part of the presentation included a description of the different modes in which the Tesla can be operated; one them being “Performance”. Although I frankly told Mr Ulsrud that “Normal” would suffice as I would not test out the car's famous acceleration, he noted that I would and for that reason, I drove off in “Performance”. Oh, and about the hype? Gadzooks!!! This is thing is “artardedly” fast! By the second corner, I had explored 40% of the go-pedal's travel and the goose bumps were already surfacing. But, the best was yet to come.

This car is in fact a dedicated sports/high-performance car that happens to lay a massive carbon footprint that is equivalent to a big fat ZERO. (photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

Snug as a bug in a rug... on a racetrack
Don't kid yourselves ladies and gents, the Roadster and especially the S, are not, I repeat, are not toys. This car is in fact a dedicated sports/high-performance car that happens to lay a massive carbon footprint that is equivalent to a big fat ZERO.

Once aboard, you are faced with a delectable mix of gauges and controls that are both functional, sporty and high-end. (photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

This type of car has very specific requirements and two of them are fixed-back race-inspired seats and a small diameter three-spoke leather-wrapped MOMO sport steering wheel. This means then that once you've gotten past the sweet, sensual curves of the carbon-fibre body, the cabin is all business and matches the drapes. With doors open, crossing the threshold requires a little work but hey, if you can't get in, too bad!

Once aboard, you are faced with a delectable mix of gauges and controls that are both functionally sporty and high-end. Where the dashboard and the centre-console meat, you will find a touch-screen driver interface where settings can be adjusted and where much information on the car can be obtained.

Don't be put off by the seemingly hard-core nature of the car, the seats are heated and leather-covered, A/C, power door-locks and windows as well as cruise control are standard. Should you so desire, you can add premium leather and audio system with navigation for a price.

Power from within
I know y'all have been waiting for this part... The Tesla Roadster is as fast as everyone says. It will demolish nearly all sports cars in a straight line, preferably on a quarter-mile track. The secret, well, it's no secret, is its power-to-weight ratio. But it's more than that because this is not conventional power.

The 375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor with variable frequency drive generates the equivalent of 288 hp (215 kW) and 273 lb/t of torque (370 Nm). That's for the base car. The S reaches max hp output 600 rpms sooner and torque is increased to 295 lb/ft (400 Nm). You might be scratching your head about the rpm part. The electric motor does spin and as it does, makes the car move. In fact, this “engine” has an F1-like top rotational speed of 14,000 rpm.

The 375 volt AC induction air-cooled electric motor with variable frequency drive generates the equivalent of 288 hp. (photo: Tesla)

Having only 2,723 lb (1,238 kg) of sexy mass to motivate and thanks to instant torque from the word go, the Roadster will crush 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.9 seconds all day or at least until the batteries are depleted. The S will cover that speed in 3.7 seconds or in about the same time-lapse as the Corvette Z06, Bentley Continental Supersport, Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 5.2. How about them apples? Nevermind the C02 emission comparisons...

You'll be glad to know that the Roadster will carry you up to 244 miles (390 km). (photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

Those that suffer from range-anxiety, you'll be glad to know that the Roadster will carry you up to 244 miles (390 km). For most, this is nearly twice the distance that is travelled in a weekly commute. And to prove a point, Tesla employees drove an S from Los Angeles to Detroit for the auto show. (http://www.teslamotors.com/roadtrip/)

Not so quiet, young man...
Hybrids in electric mode and EVs are known for their whisper-quiet rides. In reality, all hybrid revert back to “normal” running on an internal-combustion engine while EVs will continue to whistle however the frequency will increase slightly. The Tesla is the fist EV that I have ever been in in which the whistle grows is ferocity and practically has bite. Granted, we are light-years away from a snarling stonking V8 but I'm thinking engineers could do something with this.

On a related note, those that are searching for posh surroundings and a drum-tight cabin will not find what they are looking for in the Roadster. The Tesla's cockpit is a place for environmentally conscious hyper-performance types that revel in guilt-free pleasurable driving.

The Roadster S will crush 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds. (photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

Model S
The Roadster is a gem of engineering, a fabulous car to drive but, let's be honest, not entirely that practical or affordable. No Tesla for you? Ha! Behold the Model S. Here stands a real 4-door premium electric car that will fit in many budgets and lifestyles. It boasts room for seven (that's 7) passengers and tons of room for all your gear.

Do not fret if performance is still high on your priority list. The Model S will hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds; plenty fast enough to poke fun at many so-called sport sedans. Range is also impressive at 300 miles (480 km). Deliveries are expected to begin in 2011 but you can place your order now.

photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com

Cruelty to me
In all honesty, I did not get enough wheel time to fully appreciate what this car can do. Among the first thoughts that crossed my mind as I returned the car were the incredible regenerative braking that slowed the car right down to a near stop. Knowing this, Tesla has provided for the brakelights to turn on (without ever depressing the left-hand pedal) when a certain amount of deceleration is detected, which I think is brilliant. Also, the non-power assisted steering is high on feedback at speed and the amount of effort required at low speeds only make me want this car more... I'm nuts.

Given that the test was done in mid-February, I did not remove the roof panel. I can scarcely imagine what it must be like to cruise at 120 km/h with the sun beating down on my head with no engine hum. It must seem like flying.

Tesla
The story of Tesla's beginnings may be a little skewed but what is important to know is that the company is in complete health thanks to a $465 million loan from the United States Department of Energy and to profitability late last year. The Model S (an all-important volume product) is on the fast track to production so the future looks bright indeed for the company from San Carlos, California.

If you've ever wondered were Tesla got its name, here's the answer. The namesake of the company, Nikola Tesla, is a well-known inventor, electrical engineer, and scientist. Two of his inventions (among more than 700) are the induction motor and alternating-current power transmission, two key elements in what makes the Tesla a Tesla.