By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Only a company like Tesla can make semi trucks an exciting platform again. The unveiling of the new high-performance (o-60 MPH in 5 seconds by itself or with a trailer). Tesla's new semi trucks obliterate the acceleration of current diesel trucks and even do a better job of pulling loads up hills. The Tesla semi trucks have a 500 mile range at maximum weight at highway speeds (worse case scenario, according to Elon Musk).
The Tesla semi has a better drag coefficient than the Bugatti Chiron supercar. Tesla designed the trucks to be aerodynamic, has a way to close the drag of whatever containers are being pulled. The Tesla Semis have independent suspension as well as four motors to better disperse the load. Tesla really put serious thought on redesigning the semi truck and has even considered charging (a semi can charge up to 400 miles in 30 minutes, ideal for truck stop breaks). Because the chargers are solar powered Tesla chargers, they are basically running on sunlight (well, mostly).
Tesla semis have autopilot as standard, automatic emergency braking, automatic lane keeping, there's forward collision alert as well, as other features including the complete elimination of jack-knifing, which is a big danger for semi trucks. Tesla also guarantees the semi trucks will not break down in a million miles.
The only thing that overshadowed the semi truck reveal was a surprise announcement the new Tesla Roadster. Boasting an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds. This is the fastest production car on the planet. The new Roadster takes 4.2 seconds to 100 miles an hour and can do a 8.9 second quarter mile. While these are all impresive record-breaking performance stats, the new Tesla Roadster is also surprisingly practical. It has a 1,000 kilometre range (enough, Musk says, to ferry a family from San Francisco to LA and back on highway speeds without recharging).
The Tesla Roadster is also a four seater (ideal maybe for shorter riders) plus it offers a lot of cargo space which are two features that most traditional supercars aren't associated with. Tesla Roadster is slated for a 2020 release and a deposit of $65,000 gets you at the front of the line.