Tesla Roadster To Be Offered With "Crazy" SpaceX Performance Package

Jun. 08, 2018 8:54 AM ET byMartin Bigg /27 Comments

0-62 mph in 1.9 seconds? That's just the performance of the base model.

Elon Musk has revealed the second-generation Tesla Roadster will be offered with an optional "SpaceX" package that will further improve theEV's already astonishing performance. Speaking at Tesla's shareholder meeting, Musk said the production versions of both the Semi and the Roadster will be "even better than what was unveiled". "What we unveiled with the Roadster was the base model performance. It's going to have a SpaceX options package. It's crazy," he said.

"It's important for us to show with the Roadster that an electric vehicle can outperform a gasoline car in every way. Because gasoline cars still have sort of a halo effect, and I think if we can show an electric car can outperform a gasoline car in every way, then we sort of get rid of that halo effect of gasoline cars. I think that's quite a powerful thing for the general public", Musk added without giving any further details. The confirmation reinforces Musk's comment on social media last year after the Roadster's reveal that a "special upgrade" will be available "that takes it to the next level." Even without the SpaceX performance package, the Tesla Roadster's quoted specs are extremely impressive.

0-62 mph is said to take just 1.9 seconds, while the Roadster's top speed is quoted at over 250 mph. A 200 kWh battery pack provides 620 miles of range and more than 7,000 lb-ft of torque from the car's three electric motors. Adding the SpaceX performance package could put the Roadster well beyond hypercar territory. At the company's shareholder meeting, Tesla also showcased a new white prototype following the unveiling of the red and grey prototypes last year. It isn't clear if it's a working prototype, but a closer look at the photos shared by Ryaneager onRedditreveals there's no interior so it's more likely to be a show car.