Latest news with #Moravy
The Advertiser
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
‘Record-setting' new 400km/h Tesla Roadster still on the way
The head of vehicle engineering at Tesla says the US automaker's long-awaited Roadster performance flagship, unveiled in concept form back in November 2017, hasn't been cancelled and that it will be "the last best driver's car" when it eventually arrives in showrooms. When it was revealed almost eight years ago, the two-seat electric sports car was claimed to offer 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration in just 2.1 seconds, a stratospheric 400km/h top speed and a long 1000km driving range. The Roadster's price on Tesla's website remains $US66,000 ($A101,352) and the company has taken $US50,000 ($A76,782) deposits since 2020, the year production was originally scheduled to start. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. But the American EV-maker is yet to unveil a final showroom version of the Roadster, or confirm timing for the launch of the production version, let alone when or indeed whether it will become available in Australia. Now, Tesla's engineering chief Lars Moravy says the Roadster is still on the way and development is continuing. "We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver's car," Moravy said in Tesla's takeover of social media platform X. "We've been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed [Tesla CEO] Elon [Musk] some cool demos last week and tech we've been working on, and he got a little excited." Mr Moravy's "more than a car" comment could reference Mr Musk's 2018 statement claiming "The new Tesla Roadster can fly". No firm launch timing or technical details were offered, but to become the world's quickest and fastest EV the Tesla Roadster would have to topple the Aspark Owl SP600 – a Japanese EV with record-setting 0-97km/h time of 1.74 seconds and a verified top speed of 439km/h. The Owl was shown as a concept in 2017 – the same year as the Tesla Roadster – and entered production in 2020, before its gob-smacking performance earned it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2024. The same year, Mr Musk said the Tesla Roadster would accelerate from 0-97km/h in less than 1.0 second, although the company's website still quotes the previous 2.1-second figure. There's also the Rimac Nevera, a quad-motor electric hypercar that makes 1570kW and has a top speed of 412km/h, which set EV records at tracks including the famous Nurburgring in Germany. Chinese brands are also getting into the electric hypercar battle, with the Yangwang U9 – a quad-motor EV made by BYD – boasting 960kW, a 0-100km/h time of 2.36 seconds and a 392km/h top speed. Earlier this month, GWM showed the silhouette of a new sports car it has in the works. It claims it will be "better than a Ferrari" and the unnamed model could employ a plug-in hybrid powertrain. MORE: Everything Tesla MORE: Elon Musk claims Tesla Roadster will hit 60mph in under 1 second Content originally sourced from: The head of vehicle engineering at Tesla says the US automaker's long-awaited Roadster performance flagship, unveiled in concept form back in November 2017, hasn't been cancelled and that it will be "the last best driver's car" when it eventually arrives in showrooms. When it was revealed almost eight years ago, the two-seat electric sports car was claimed to offer 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration in just 2.1 seconds, a stratospheric 400km/h top speed and a long 1000km driving range. The Roadster's price on Tesla's website remains $US66,000 ($A101,352) and the company has taken $US50,000 ($A76,782) deposits since 2020, the year production was originally scheduled to start. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. But the American EV-maker is yet to unveil a final showroom version of the Roadster, or confirm timing for the launch of the production version, let alone when or indeed whether it will become available in Australia. Now, Tesla's engineering chief Lars Moravy says the Roadster is still on the way and development is continuing. "We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver's car," Moravy said in Tesla's takeover of social media platform X. "We've been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed [Tesla CEO] Elon [Musk] some cool demos last week and tech we've been working on, and he got a little excited." Mr Moravy's "more than a car" comment could reference Mr Musk's 2018 statement claiming "The new Tesla Roadster can fly". No firm launch timing or technical details were offered, but to become the world's quickest and fastest EV the Tesla Roadster would have to topple the Aspark Owl SP600 – a Japanese EV with record-setting 0-97km/h time of 1.74 seconds and a verified top speed of 439km/h. The Owl was shown as a concept in 2017 – the same year as the Tesla Roadster – and entered production in 2020, before its gob-smacking performance earned it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2024. The same year, Mr Musk said the Tesla Roadster would accelerate from 0-97km/h in less than 1.0 second, although the company's website still quotes the previous 2.1-second figure. There's also the Rimac Nevera, a quad-motor electric hypercar that makes 1570kW and has a top speed of 412km/h, which set EV records at tracks including the famous Nurburgring in Germany. Chinese brands are also getting into the electric hypercar battle, with the Yangwang U9 – a quad-motor EV made by BYD – boasting 960kW, a 0-100km/h time of 2.36 seconds and a 392km/h top speed. Earlier this month, GWM showed the silhouette of a new sports car it has in the works. It claims it will be "better than a Ferrari" and the unnamed model could employ a plug-in hybrid powertrain. MORE: Everything Tesla MORE: Elon Musk claims Tesla Roadster will hit 60mph in under 1 second Content originally sourced from: The head of vehicle engineering at Tesla says the US automaker's long-awaited Roadster performance flagship, unveiled in concept form back in November 2017, hasn't been cancelled and that it will be "the last best driver's car" when it eventually arrives in showrooms. When it was revealed almost eight years ago, the two-seat electric sports car was claimed to offer 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration in just 2.1 seconds, a stratospheric 400km/h top speed and a long 1000km driving range. The Roadster's price on Tesla's website remains $US66,000 ($A101,352) and the company has taken $US50,000 ($A76,782) deposits since 2020, the year production was originally scheduled to start. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. But the American EV-maker is yet to unveil a final showroom version of the Roadster, or confirm timing for the launch of the production version, let alone when or indeed whether it will become available in Australia. Now, Tesla's engineering chief Lars Moravy says the Roadster is still on the way and development is continuing. "We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver's car," Moravy said in Tesla's takeover of social media platform X. "We've been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed [Tesla CEO] Elon [Musk] some cool demos last week and tech we've been working on, and he got a little excited." Mr Moravy's "more than a car" comment could reference Mr Musk's 2018 statement claiming "The new Tesla Roadster can fly". No firm launch timing or technical details were offered, but to become the world's quickest and fastest EV the Tesla Roadster would have to topple the Aspark Owl SP600 – a Japanese EV with record-setting 0-97km/h time of 1.74 seconds and a verified top speed of 439km/h. The Owl was shown as a concept in 2017 – the same year as the Tesla Roadster – and entered production in 2020, before its gob-smacking performance earned it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2024. The same year, Mr Musk said the Tesla Roadster would accelerate from 0-97km/h in less than 1.0 second, although the company's website still quotes the previous 2.1-second figure. There's also the Rimac Nevera, a quad-motor electric hypercar that makes 1570kW and has a top speed of 412km/h, which set EV records at tracks including the famous Nurburgring in Germany. Chinese brands are also getting into the electric hypercar battle, with the Yangwang U9 – a quad-motor EV made by BYD – boasting 960kW, a 0-100km/h time of 2.36 seconds and a 392km/h top speed. Earlier this month, GWM showed the silhouette of a new sports car it has in the works. It claims it will be "better than a Ferrari" and the unnamed model could employ a plug-in hybrid powertrain. MORE: Everything Tesla MORE: Elon Musk claims Tesla Roadster will hit 60mph in under 1 second Content originally sourced from: The head of vehicle engineering at Tesla says the US automaker's long-awaited Roadster performance flagship, unveiled in concept form back in November 2017, hasn't been cancelled and that it will be "the last best driver's car" when it eventually arrives in showrooms. When it was revealed almost eight years ago, the two-seat electric sports car was claimed to offer 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration in just 2.1 seconds, a stratospheric 400km/h top speed and a long 1000km driving range. The Roadster's price on Tesla's website remains $US66,000 ($A101,352) and the company has taken $US50,000 ($A76,782) deposits since 2020, the year production was originally scheduled to start. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. But the American EV-maker is yet to unveil a final showroom version of the Roadster, or confirm timing for the launch of the production version, let alone when or indeed whether it will become available in Australia. Now, Tesla's engineering chief Lars Moravy says the Roadster is still on the way and development is continuing. "We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver's car," Moravy said in Tesla's takeover of social media platform X. "We've been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed [Tesla CEO] Elon [Musk] some cool demos last week and tech we've been working on, and he got a little excited." Mr Moravy's "more than a car" comment could reference Mr Musk's 2018 statement claiming "The new Tesla Roadster can fly". No firm launch timing or technical details were offered, but to become the world's quickest and fastest EV the Tesla Roadster would have to topple the Aspark Owl SP600 – a Japanese EV with record-setting 0-97km/h time of 1.74 seconds and a verified top speed of 439km/h. The Owl was shown as a concept in 2017 – the same year as the Tesla Roadster – and entered production in 2020, before its gob-smacking performance earned it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2024. The same year, Mr Musk said the Tesla Roadster would accelerate from 0-97km/h in less than 1.0 second, although the company's website still quotes the previous 2.1-second figure. There's also the Rimac Nevera, a quad-motor electric hypercar that makes 1570kW and has a top speed of 412km/h, which set EV records at tracks including the famous Nurburgring in Germany. Chinese brands are also getting into the electric hypercar battle, with the Yangwang U9 – a quad-motor EV made by BYD – boasting 960kW, a 0-100km/h time of 2.36 seconds and a 392km/h top speed. Earlier this month, GWM showed the silhouette of a new sports car it has in the works. It claims it will be "better than a Ferrari" and the unnamed model could employ a plug-in hybrid powertrain. MORE: Everything Tesla MORE: Elon Musk claims Tesla Roadster will hit 60mph in under 1 second Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Tesla Roadster Is Meant to Be the 'Last Best Driver's Car," Says Exec
Tesla might be at the center of plenty of controversy these days, but underneath it all, the company is evidently still working on the long-promised Roadster 2.0. The successor to the car that launched the brand has been in development for nearly a decade, and while actual production could still be months or years away, Tesla's vice-president of engineering recently dropped some fresh insider info about the status of the EV sports car. That executive, Lars Moravy, has played a key role in several major Tesla launches. Speaking at an event in California over the weekend, he was specifically asked about the Roadster concept — the same one Tesla famously accepted $250,000 deposits for back in 2017. Customers are still waiting, but it sounds like Tesla is deep in continued work on the project. Moravy began his comments by saying, 'We're gearing up for a super-cool demo that is going to be mind-blowing, I think as Elon says.' He's likely referencing a recent post from Elon Musk on his social media network X, where he said, 'Just left the @Tesla design studio. Most epic demo ever by end of year. Ever.' It's classic Musk: massive promises that, occasionally, become reality. Still, Moravy seemed plenty enthusiastic all on his own. 'We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver's car. We've been making it better and better, and it's even a little bit more than a car. We showed Elon some cool demos last week and tech we've been working on, and he got a little excited,' he said. That 'little bit more than a car' may refer to the long-rumored SpaceX package. Musk has previously promised the Roadster 2.0 would incorporate cold-gas thrusters, and Moravy confirmed that getting the mass where it needs to be in the car for that system is a big challenge. Of course, the Roadster concept debuted nearly 10 years ago, and it's still not in dealerships yet. Clearly, the Tesla team hasn't given up — but until we see it, and more importantly, drive it, it's all still just talk. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla has discussed building a smaller version of the Cybertruck, its engineering VP says
Tesla's Cybertruck has been a major sales disappointment since it launched in 2023. The "apocalypse-proof" truck is so big and heavy that it is very difficult to sell outside the US. Now, Tesla's engineering VP has said that the EV giant is considering building a smaller pickup truck. Elon Musk's "apocalypse-proof" Cybertruck has been a major disappointment, but it could be about to get a smaller sibling. Lars Moravy, Tesla's engineering VP, said in an interview on Saturday that the EV giant is considering making a smaller pickup truck, as sales of the beefy science-fiction-inspired Cybertruck continue to struggle. "We always talked about making a smaller pickup," said Moravy, in response to a question about whether Tesla needed a mini version of the Cybertruck for international markets. "I think in the future, as more and more of the robotaxi comes into the world, we look at those options and we think about, OK, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods," Moravy, who was speaking at an event hosted by Tesla owners and investors in California, added. "We've definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need for sure." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Moravy's interview, which was sent outside regular US working hours. The Cybertruck was launched with a huge fanfare in 2023, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicting the automaker could sell over 250,000 of the "apocalypse-proof" trucks a year. However, those stratospheric sales have failed to materialize. Tesla has shifted around 11,000 Cybertrucks in the US so far this year, after selling nearly 39,000 over the whole of 2024, per data from Cox Automotive. The futuristic pickup launched in the US with a price tag close to $100,000, far above the $39,900 Elon Musk suggested back in 2019. The cheapest version now starts at over $60,000. The Cybertruck is also not available in China and Europe, Tesla's biggest markets outside the US. Both markets have strict vehicle regulations that make selling big and bulky pickups like the Cybertruck — which weighs over 6,000kg — extremely difficult. One of the first Cybertrucks to appear in the UK was seized by police earlier this year for not being road-legal, while another that was registered in the European Union had to be modified to soften the trapezoid truck's notoriously sharp edges. Tesla has expanded Cybertruck sales to Canada and Mexico, and in April announced it would begin selling the pickup in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. The Cybertruck's slow sales and slower international expansion suggest it will be little help in turning around Tesla's sales slump. The EV giant said earlier this month that second-quarter sales had fallen 13.5%, its second year-over-year decline in a row. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Tesla has discussed building a smaller version of the Cybertruck, its engineering VP says
Elon Musk's "apocalypse-proof" Cybertruck has been a major disappointment, but it could be about to get a smaller sibling. Lars Moravy, Tesla's engineering VP, said in an interview on Saturday that the EV giant is considering making a smaller pickup truck, as sales of the beefy science-fiction-inspired Cybertruck continue to struggle. "We always talked about making a smaller pickup," said Moravy, in response to a question about whether Tesla needed a mini version of the Cybertruck for international markets. "I think in the future, as more and more of the robotaxi comes into the world, we look at those options and we think about, OK, that kind of service is useful not just for people, but also for goods," Moravy, who was speaking at an event hosted by Tesla owners and investors in California, added. "We've definitely been churning in the design studio about what we might do to serve that need for sure." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Moravy's interview, which was sent outside regular US working hours. The Cybertruck was launched with a huge fanfare in 2023, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicting the automaker could sell over 250,000 of the "apocalypse-proof" trucks a year. However, those stratospheric sales have failed to materialize. Tesla has shifted around 11,000 Cybertrucks in the US so far this year, after selling nearly 39,000 over the whole of 2024, per data from Cox Automotive. The futuristic pickup launched in the US with a price tag close to $100,000, far above the $39,900 Elon Musk suggested back in 2019. The cheapest version now starts at over $60,000. The Cybertruck is also not available in China and Europe, Tesla's biggest markets outside the US. Both markets have strict vehicle regulations that make selling big and bulky pickups like the Cybertruck — which weighs over 6,000kg — extremely difficult. One of the first Cybertrucks to appear in the UK was seized by police earlier this year for not being road-legal, while another that was registered in the European Union had to be modified to soften the trapezoid truck's notoriously sharp edges. Tesla has expanded Cybertruck sales to Canada and Mexico, and in April announced it would begin selling the pickup in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. The Cybertruck's slow sales and slower international expansion suggest it will be little help in turning around Tesla's sales slump. The EV giant said earlier this month that second-quarter sales had fallen 13.5%, its second year-over-year decline in a row.
Mint
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Tesla Engineering VP Moravy Says Company in ‘Big Swing Moment'
(Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. engineering executive Lars Moravy said the company is in a 'big swing moment' with its forthcoming products as he gave a wide ranging talk at a San Francisco Bay area gathering of customers and retail investors Saturday. Moravy, Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, said he's personally most excited about Semi truck — built at the company's factory near Reno, Nevada — and called it key to the company's mission. He spoke at the 'X Takeover,' a day-long event in San Mateo. 'We take big swings, and sometimes that risk can come with a lot of downside,' said Moravy, who has been with Tesla for over 15 years. 'We're in a big swing moment right now with autonomy, Robotaxis, with Optimus and with Semi.' Optimus is the company's humanoid robot. Previous 'Tesla Takeover' events, sponsored by the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley club, focused on the electric vehicle maker. This year's gathering, which drew scores of longtime Elon Musk fans, expanded to encompass SpaceX and the other companies in Musk's overlapping business empire. Musk also spoke via video conference late in the afternoon. Moravy's appearance and remarks served as a rallying cry for fans of Tesla and Musk in the face of severe challenges across the core automotive business. Tesla is losing market share as sales of its aging lineup fall in key markets around the world. That includes California, its former home where sales have declined for the last seven quarters. President Donald Trump's signature tax plan ends the $7,500 tax credit for EV buyers that have helped support the market for years. It also makes key regulatory changes that Tesla executives have acknowledged will hurt revenue and profit. On Tesla's earnings call Wednesday, executives said the company started producing a more affordable EV in June, but it won't be widely available until later this year so Tesla can prioritize making and selling as many of its current cars before the tax credit expires at the end of September. The new model, which Musk said would resemble the Model Y, is seen as crucial to buoying sales. Tesla makes five consumer vehicles: the Model S, X, 3, Y and the Cybertruck. Moravy oversees a team of nearly 6,000 engineers who are working on several programs. He joined the company from Honda Motor Co. in 2010, the year that Tesla went public. He's since been deeply involved in engineering every Tesla vehicle, and works closely with chief designer Franz von Holzhausen. On display at the event was Tesla's forthcoming 'Cybercab,' a two-seat autonomous vehicle designed without a steering wheel, as well as Optimus. Musk has made it clear that robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving represent Tesla's future. The company is offering limited rides in Austin with Model Y vehicles that are not fully self-driving, and is expected to expand to the Bay Area sometime this weekend. In California, Tesla has a permit to offer rides in a non-autonomous vehicle that has a driver. The company does not have permits to deploy autonomous vehicles in the state. More stories like this are available on
