Tesla clarifies "temporary transmissions," say they're slower, not going to fail

We'd heard that problems with the Tesla Roadster's transmission were going to lead the company to ship the cars with "temporary" transmissions, but our friends over at AutoblogGreen were recently contacted by Tesla and told that while the company is indeed considering shipping cars with a different tranny than originally planned, they won't be designed to fail, as we'd originally heard. Rather, it'll be a single-speed transmission that won't allow the all-electric hot rod to run as fast as the planned two-speed version. Tesla still plans to swap out the units for the real deal when they're finally strong enough to handle the electric's massive torque, but at least now when Tesla owners are stranded by the side of the road they'll just need an extension cord, not a whole new transmission.

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2007 8:53PM]

my dad has #47 in the signature 100 but should he take the one with a bad transmission or wait for them to fix the problem

[RP @ Dec 19th 2007 9:22PM]

Um, take it (duh)!

Just cancel any drag races with Ferraris and Porsches that you have scheduled. :-)

[austin @ Dec 19th 2007 9:36PM]

i smell something.
bullshit, possibly?

[paul34 @ Dec 19th 2007 9:37PM]

Dude, did you even read the article? The temp tranny is NOT a "bad" transmission. Just a tranny that doesn't even have to deal with how to swap from first to second while full torque is still coming from the engine by not having another gear to swap to.

[austin @ Dec 19th 2007 10:00PM]

if his dad was actually getting the car, he wouldnt have to read the article. he would know more than anyone on the internet. he is full of crap

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2007 10:04PM]

well actually we are still deciding what to do because tesla really doesnt know if the transmission even if held in 1st gear will survive like they claim... i want to know when a service center is going to be placed around my location that way if the car does break down it is easy to fix

[RP @ Dec 20th 2007 2:26AM]

Looks like Steven is trolling, judging from his other comments: http://www.blogsmith.com/profile/1020618/

Steven, if your dad is really that worried about the Tesla breaking down, tell him to buy a Lexus instead, and let someone else be a pioneer.

[Steven @ Dec 20th 2007 5:17AM]

All im saying is that Tesla seems to be as reliable as the bush administration... so anything can happen

[Dustin Frazier @ Dec 19th 2007 9:18PM]

I'd tell him to take it. That way you can borrow it and drive like a bat outa hell and when it breaks doing 160 in a 35, you can just blame the tranny.

[David Clark @ Dec 19th 2007 9:23PM]

It would be a legal nightmare for Tesla to sell cars with defective transmissions. (So, it was pretty obvious from the start that the temporary transmissions weren't destined for failure)

[Rex @ Dec 19th 2007 10:53PM]

I dunno, I'd prefer my Tesla come with a hot hetero babe, rather than a Tranny.

[monnane @ Dec 20th 2007 12:48AM]

Zeus, you may not be assuming, but you have at least made an "assu". ;)

[blackfeather @ Dec 20th 2007 1:40PM]

Hey - why can't we have a comment ranking lower than merely "lowest ranked"? How about adding "everyone hates you" to the list as well?

[Andrew @ Dec 20th 2007 12:19AM]

I'll take the Elise thanks. Last I knew, gas stations weren't too keen on letting you "fill up" off their electrical outlets, and hauling a gas generator around somewhat defeats the point.

Then again, I don't even run all-electric radio controlled cars, I use Nitro or Gas ones. I can't stand not being able to gas and go. Maybe I'll consider a Tesla after it only takes a few minutes to recharge and I already own my fifth Lotus. . .

[Andrew @ Dec 20th 2007 12:22AM]

I thought it was hilarious, in a "thats what she said" kind of way.

Its all in fun, lighten up Zeus, your hair goes into a static fuzzball when you get all riled up like that ;P

[guitarboy @ Dec 20th 2007 1:27AM]

I've been rooting for Tesla since before they officially announced their car. I've had the pleasure of up close tours of the car on several occasions and I am a fan. My only complaint thus far about the car itself has been that it is extremely uncomfortable at my height (6'). But lately, I have to admit, they seem to be having great difficulty bringing their product out from the veil of vaporware.

[blooy @ Dec 20th 2007 1:53PM]

Dude you're getting the granny tranny.

[Jeebus @ Dec 21st 2007 1:45PM]

I didn't think electric cars needed transmissions?

[Honokaguchi @ Jan 26th 2008 6:32AM]

They dont, but I belive the reason for the Tesla needing one is because the motor puts out so much torque that they need some way of gearing it down for use in the city, otherwise speed control could be quite troublesome, kind of like changing the gear ratio of your differential.