BRABUS announces Tesla Roadster customization plans
By Donald Melanson 
posted November 13th 2008 5:38PM
posted November 13th 2008 5:38PM
It's a bit of a shift from its usual business, but it looks like BRABUS isn't about to let the Tesla Roadster escape its reach, and it's now taken the wraps off a completely customized version of the vehicle to give those lucky few owners out there (or would-be owners) a taste of what's possible. Sure to attract the most attention is the company's "space sound generator," which can not only pump out the sound of a traditional V8 engine like some similar systems, but some "futuristic soundscapes" as well, including "Beam" and "Warp" sounds, which we can only hope are just as Jetsony as we imagine them to be. Other custom options include an all new tire / wheel combination that promises to improve handling, a redone exterior with a special matte white paintjob, a set of LED running lights, a whole slew of interior options and, of course, some underbody neon for that added touch of class. No word on a price for any of that, naturally, but those in the area will apparently be able to check it all out first hand at German's Essen Motor Show later this month.
Remember, half of them. He does make some decent comments when he's running Windows (or is it Linux?) on Bootcamp and loses his fanboism for some high-rankedness.
RIP Tesla
I like the eyelids, makes it look a lot more sporty. The matte white doesn't look to bad either, although the underbody lights seem a little out of style.
I wish I had a matte white car =/
I like---no, I LOVE matte paint jobs on cars! They're so much more subtle and classy looking to me than in-your-face mirror paint (partly because matte paint is rare for cars, and implies a unique and exotic taste). After all, when you've got a truly beautiful, striking design, I believe the best thing you can do to complement that design is often to eliminate distracting touches like reflected trees and sky (I think it's especially critical to do this on the main body paint, but I'm also a believer in using only the most minimal of chrome effects.) Then all you're left with are those beautiful lines and you can soak in every last bit of that beauty without burning your retinas. It's especially effective on the stealth fighter-like Lamborghini Reventon. Now that is one smokin' automobile!
http://www.zcars.com.au/images/lamborghini-reventon-panavia-tornado-jetfighter12.jpg
Oh yeah, and I hate glossy monitors too.
http://www.gentlemansgadgets.com/for%20men/images/2008/03/lamborghini-reventon.jpg
http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2008/lamborghini.reventon/08.lamborghini.reventon.340.jpg
So, a heavier, less efficient energy-wise, dearer car? I don't get it....
Why are you walking? Where's your Tesla? Oh...you left those douchy neons on again didn't you?
"Rev the V-8 all you want, but there's no arguing with the wheel smoking (silent) power of 211 lbs/ft of torque the Tesla has at 0 - 7000 rpm and then continues to 14,000 rpm."
Didn't the GN have a turbo V6?
Regardless, the noisemaker is dumb.
Underbody Neon?
I had that on my Mustang GT, in '93 when it was cool (and believe me, since I was one of the first around if not the first, it was cool). But it's now 2008. It's not cool anymore.
True dat. All the kids nowadays have pico-projectors mounted on the underbody to project their music vids onto the pavement...
id get that, granted if i could afford it, and really whats wrong with the sound generator, t would be so kool to get a sci-fi effects box in it and go crusing.
It would be hilarious I have to admit to go down the street with it in LA on a Saturday night and have the Jetsons sound effect. Oh that would be awesome. The laughing I mean.
Yeah especially in front of Saddle Ranch(sunset) waiting an hr to park and the batt. runs out from the neon lights underneath..yep, guarenteed pussy car, my friends..
don't get me wrong i think brabus make some of the classiest cars out there, i just think that the neon on the underbody is very tacky..
That's awesome. Overpriced rice! This is one of the dumbest things Brabus can do.
Hm... I don't get that "fake engine sound" thing... I mean, isn't that one of the joys of having an electric car, less noise? the only down side, is it's harder for people to hear in traffic and thereby could be dangerous as people aren't aware a car is coming...
but then just turn on the stereo.... :P
and I've never gotten neon lights under cars... soooo tacky...
but otherwise it looks very nice...
hehe funny, I had thought of the idea of adding engine noise to an electric engine, but I thought a more futuristic sound would be cooler, glad they added both. It'd be funny to crank up the V8 sound when some losers are taking their time crossing against the light.
I'm surprised how plain the dash is, I mean, it's very nice, but with all that gaudiness on the outside, I'd at least go for a nice video screen in the middle of the dash.
Although neon is pretty lame, it wouldn't be so bad if it was white. But why isn't it LED? Plus there are better places for it.
I'm a huge fan of this car, but it is kind of pointless arguing about the specs on the Tesla when the majority of the people on this board will most likely never be able to own one. Hopefully the $30k model that I've been hearing about will be out by the time I get out of law school, though I can't imagine it being near as cool as the roadster is.
what this picture need now is a girl standing next to it.