ADR approval for Tesla Roadster

The wait is over. Not the wait for the Tesla Roadster to reach 100km/h from a standing start... that's just four seconds.

The real wait has been the measure of time buyers have been forced to endure while Australia's road safety bureaucrats have got around to stamping their approval on the electric sports car.

But all systems are go now, according to the importer. Maybe that wait has been worth the while for Aussie customers. We get the 2.5 version of the Tesla Roadster, which is more comfortable and comes fitted with an 18cm touchscreen providing navigational instructions and a view to the rear through a reversing camera. In addition, Roadster 2.5 is better equipped to cope with hot climates.

If you're not familiar with the Tesla, the Carsales Network has driven it (although not in Australia) and in short, it's a carbonfibre-bodied sports car developed jointly by American concern Tesla and British sports car manufacturer, Lotus.

Given the aforementioned four-second sprint to 100km/h, it should come as no surprise that the Roadster produces 215kW of power and 400Nm of torque, with the electrical energy stored in a liquid-cooled battery pack. The Tesla can cover a 360km range on one charge.

It all sounds too good to be true, but it is true. Where the 'free lunch' enters into the discussion is the purchase price: $206,188 (not including on-road costs). If that still sounds like it's within your budget, you can check out the Tesla for yourself this Saturday (January 15) between 9am and 6pm at First Fleet Park, Circular Quay, Sydney.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...