Jalopnik
Tesla is doing it's best to counter rumors of their impending failure and bad press from their former CEO. The company claims the first production Tesla will be delivered to HQ next week and work of the first run of Teslas will begin in mid March. More importantly, the company claims a solution to their transmission problems have been found.
Tesla says they're going to a be dropping the planned two-speed transmission and replacing it with a much simpler one-speed model that will provide performance numbers in line with what was promised. The two-speed model had to be dropped because of problems with longevity. Of course, this doesn't change the fact that if you're getting a first run Tesla you're going to receive it with a temporary gearbox and have to wait for the permanent solution like everyone else.
The solution, now called DriveTrain 1.5, is going to involve replacing the entire powertrain. The air-cooled electric motor is getting kicked to the curb and its place will be a liquid-cooled unit with more power. Progress! The car works... as long as they can replace everything in time.
Tesla Motors Completes all Regulatory Approvals and Sets Schedule to Begin ProductionFirst production 2008 Tesla Roadster Imported - Series Production Begins in March
WHAT'S NEWS
* Tesla Motors has received all regulatory approvals to import the first production Tesla Roadster ("P1") for sale. This includes all necessary EPA and DOT approvals, including completion of all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS.)
* P1 will arrive at Tesla Motors headquarters next week for delivery to customer Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors.
* Series production of the Tesla Roadster is scheduled to begin March 17th, 2008.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
* As communicated previously, early production units will be equipped with an interim transmission that meets durability requirements but limits acceleration to 5.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.
* Separately, Tesla Motors engineers have designed a permanent solution for mass production that supports the original specification of 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.
* The planned solution has some very positive benefits for our customers. Instead of a complex 2-speed transmission design, Tesla will achieve the original performance goals with a simpler one-speed unit mated to a higher rated Power Electronics Module (PEM.) The existing motor will be modified to have advanced cooling capabilities to handle the additional power. The permanent transmission unit will be engineered to handle the higher torque of the powertrain.
* The planned solution reduces program risk, provides better efficiency, lower weight, equal or better range, better thermal performance and quicker quarter mile acceleration due to the elimination of the need to shift gears.
* The planned solution incorporates the latest developments of our powertrain team which has been continually improving on Tesla's core technology.
* Early production will proceed at a limited rate and then ramp up to full production when the permanent powertrain solution is production ready later this year.The upgrade from the interim solution to the higher power, permanent solution will be provided to our customers free of charge when available later this year.
[Source: Tesla, AutoBlog Green]
Comments
I really want to see these guys succeed, but with all the problems, from the battery miscalculations to the tranny, and now the cooling of the motor... They sure have a hill to climb even before they get to consumers. Will see how it all pans out.
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Check for a pulse, oooh I think we may have something!
Even though it'll be a one-speed tranny, I hope it will have a dashboard pull-chain like my ceiling fan. And a toggle switch for reverse.
[crosses fingers] Please let them succeed. It's bad for the entire industry if they fail.
not really a transmission if it only has one gear and no clutch. Sounds like a sensible solution though. Most electric drive systems don't bother with gears.
That sounds like a solid $100K investment to me.
I hope the Chevy Volts come sooner then later and open the door for mass-produced electrics.
*bong* "Bring out yer dead." *bong* "Bring out yer dead."
"Could you take me ol' dad?"
"He's not dead yet."
(Dad) "Really...I'm feelin' much better!"
(Cartman clunks Dad over the head.)
"Thanks, mate!"
"...fix the transmission woes..."
What, did they try a bigger wire?
Didn't I read somewhere the two-speed tranny was Musk's brainchild, and Eberhart wanted the single speed design from the beginning?
Seems like this is back to an earlier version.
I never said "no comment"...but I'll say it now.
@SeanKHotay: That is, essentially, exactly what they did.
The next step is they add more rubber bands.
Yaaaay...
I think.
You can tell it's got software people behind it. "Wait for the patch", indeed.
I'm really glad they've found a way to deliver (at least, in some capacity). I don't think any of the people who intended to buy a $100k electric roadster are going to be disappointed with the results.
But I am curious...a 1 speed transmission? What the hell is a 1 speed transmission?
My artist's mockup:
Even if this thing gets released to the market, it's going to be a huge disaster:
*** too expensive for most people
*** likely rife with problems
*** shaky company
*** no dealer network
*** full of bullshit hype
The Tesla is the DeLorean of 2008. Mark my words.
It's not dead; it's just... pining... for the fijords.
Delorean?
Chery?
Yugo?
and to top it off:
Commuta Car.
@DoctorNine: I always figured the way to get people interested in electric cars is to first build one that is fun, a real performer. So, me too, I hope these guys succeed.
@Mad_Science: Good point. A one-speed transmission is nothing but a reduction gear. Remember that electric motors have ALL their torque at zero RPM so getting off the line or going up hills won't be a problem. Electric motors can also have hellaciously high redlines compaired to reciprocating motors. So, from an engineering standpoint, this may not be a bad solution.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been clipping Duracell coupons out of the Sunday paper in anticipation...
When will Hyundai make a cheap knock off?
It reminds me of the monty python movie "I'm not dead yet' reply "you will be soon"as they bury him. That sums up Tesla.
The bold, please make it stop it burns.
I really hope this thing sees the light of day.
@mzs: The bold, it rebukes you!
@TPSreports: You could say the same thing about a Ferrari or Lambo.
This car isn't meant to be the Model T of electrics. It's meant to be an expensive toy for those who'd like to do some conspicuous consuming in a less faux-macho way.
The real question in my mind is how sustainable the demand is. I fear the first year or two's sales will represent all the people who ever wanted one (and could afford one).
Now that the Tesla goes from 0-60 in ONLY 5.7 seconds, maybe my WRX can beat it when I see one at an intersection?
Seriously, I hope this thing goes into production as planned...One big step for Hoon Kind!
@Mad_Science: when they fill the current demand at $100k they will drop the price to $75k.
And so on...
I don't know how long they can sustain that, but it'll be fun to see.
How low does Telsa have to drop the performance standards in order to declare "victory"?
I saw Jesse James and the Monster Garage gang build an all-electric, early 1960's Chevy drag car with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. As I recall, they did it in 5 days and had an out-of-pocket budget of $3,000 (plus the car and batteries). Maybe they should give him a call.
I've been wondering from the beginning why they even considered using a transmission. With an EV you want to create as light and as efficient as a system as you possibly can. Use sophisticated software and power controllers to smooth out the torque conversion. The next question in my mind, is if they are going without a tranny, is hopefully they'll switch to a chain, why not squeeze out that extra few percent of efficiency.
Does anyone remember the typical effeciencies of chain vs. belt vs. gears? IIRC belt is best in theory but in real world circumstances chain tends to be the best.
@goatrope: Word. It's all set up to be fast and gorgeous and exotic and expensive! Just get something/anything on the road in a meaningful way that's not pretending to be a Furai or a Pixar character in body design. You can tweak it later! Starting at the high end and planning to build down is dumb. Starting at the high end and not planning to build down is dumber.
It might be useful to remember that when cars and airplanes first came out, who were they sold to rich people. And they weren't very reliable either. But rich people bought them maybe because nobody else could have them. Eventually, the price came down and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ok, I should proof read more better. Have mercy, I'm getting old.
@TR3-A: Your point, however, is valid, and the salient one for those who maintain that the Tesla business plan is backwards.
DriveTrain 1.5 ? You really can't make this stuff up..
Are these guys -trying- to be the embodiment of the old 'if cars were as unreliable as computers..' joke?
A one speed tranny? How many Civics and Camrys are gonna smoke this this thing?
Call Staples.
More rubber bands needed.
@TPSreports: Doesn't that apply to most Italian cars?
The bright side of the 1 speed transmission is that you won't have to worry about any harsh shifting or hunting between gears... LOL.
Electric motor = tranny-melting torque. This is a big reason most conversions go for direct drive.
So the investors forced Eberhard to adopt a two speed transmission which, according to even them, caused all the delays, then fired him for those delays and implemented his original design? Why don't they just cut him and rub salt in his wounds?
For better or worse, Tesla has just made an adult's Power Wheels. POW POW POWER WHEELS!
Wonder what old Saint Nik would make of all this? I think he'd find the financial side all too familiar.
Yup! It'll be all HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY! until some tuxedo wearing, bimbo sporting, CELEB tries to exit the grand gala in a large way only to drop the pedal on a dead battery, ala the valet guy who just couldn't find a plug after a short spin with his g-friend. Then the DeLorean will be looking HOT. And so will the celeb, just not in the same way.
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