teslamotorclub: Validation Prototypes (VPs) part 1

When Tesla first started up they built a clay model to validate the body styling.
(This model has since been destroyed)

They also built a "buck" for aerodynamic testing.
And a "mule" which is drivable but was cobbled together from a non-Tesla vehicle with custom bodywork.

Then they built "Engineering/Evaluation Prototypes" (EPs) to figure out what refinements were needed for production.

Finally they built "Validation Prototypes" (VPs) to test the refinements before putting them into production.

Along the way they had to crash test a number of the prototypes so not all still exist.

From the Tesla blogs:

If you wish to play �spot the difference� between our photographs of the EPs and VP1, here are some to look out for:

* Headlamp and tail lamps (or headlights and tail lights) � The EPs had functional place holders while VPs are fitted to production intent.
* Seats � The VP seat shell has a wider base and trim detail has evolved.
* Centre console � We modified the profile to match the seat change.
* Heating and ventilation � Controls and graphics were adjusted for clarity.
* Center High Mounted Stop Lamp, pronounced �chimsel.� It was repositioned to improve rear visibility."
Click to expand...

--Validation Prototypes--

VP32: Sterling Silver
VP31: Electric Blue; Gray microfiber
VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
VP29: Electric Blue; two-tone black/gray(grey)
VP28: ?
VP27: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint
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"VP1" ("Validation Prototype 1"..."Signature Green?"):

"VP4" ("Arctic White"):

"VP9" ("Electric Blue"):

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"VP10" ("Sterling Silver"):

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List of Validation Prototypes and marketing cars. (This post will be periodically updated.)

--Validation Prototypes--

VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
VP29: Electric Blue; two-tone black/gray(grey)
VP28: ?
VP27: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint
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VP11 in "Thunder Gray":

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Which two are these?

Pair In Marin - Tesla Motors Club Gallery
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That is VP1 (green) and EP1 (black)

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Vp13

There's a note about the arrival of VP13 on the "Tesla owner's" home page. It is dedicated to fine tuning of drivetrain 1.5... And for Tony, it's Very Orange. Quite a few pictures in the "insider gallery" too...

Jay

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I didn't see any VP13 note on the Tesla home page.
Is that in the owners area only?
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Sorry - you are correct. I logged out and got a different looking page. Didn't realize even the "home page" was linked...

Jay
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And the VP13 arrival begs the question - where is VP12? I haven't run across any information about it...

Jay
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VP 12 is in the UK. VP 16 (glacier blue) just got shipped and VP17 (fusion red), both intended for the stores, are on their way.
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Wow, sounds like Tesla is already into "production" of sorts, just that it's 'VPs', not yet 'Ps'.
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siry said: ?

VP 12 is in the UK. VP 16 (glacier blue) just got shipped and VP17 (fusion red), both intended for the stores, are on their way.
Click to expand...

Thanks darryl.

Any word on the seats? Apart from VP11's Microfiber, most of the other VPs seem to have standard black seats. Are the store models the same or does VP17 feature the odd bit of red leather as well? :smile:
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On 3/21/08 Siry is quoted as saying there are 27 prototypes.

Europeans, Rejoice! The Tesla Is Headed Your Way! | Autopia from Wired.com
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VP12 is black with brown interior. It was used for test drives in Monaco to launch European sales.
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The Seats of VP12 are brown leather.
I will post photos later.
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VP12:

(From TEG: Info about the white car next to the Tesla here )

Flickr Photo Download: IMG_3386

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Looks like the rear bumper will need to be modified to accommodate those extra-wide European license plates... seems pretty minor, though.

Those pictures are an effective reminder about how small the Lotus-derived Roadster is compared to other vehicles...

-Ryan
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I'm not sure how it is in rest of Europe, but generally our license plates are wider and not so high as the american ones. But we've got a version with a smaller font which I beleive I've seen on a Porsche Cayenne among other cars. So I suppose finding a fit should be possible....

Cobos
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spotted parked in Palo Alto

Down On The Street Bonus Edition: Tesla Spotted In Palo Alto, Price Of Electrons Climbs

VP1

DOTSBETesla
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Spotted in Half Moon Bay

VP13

Flickr Photo Download: Tesla in Half Moon Bay

More sightings of VP13:
Orange Tesla Roadster spotted in Cali - AutoblogGreen
Up close and personal with the Tesla Roadster - Huddler's Green Home Community
Video - FOXBusiness.com
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Nice shot of VP16

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jsnable said: ?

And the VP13 arrival begs the question - where is VP12? I haven't run across any information about it...
Click to expand...

This post makes me wonder what happened to VP14 and 15. Anyone know their whereabouts/purpose?

Was it one of these that became VIN F003? What about the other?
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VP17 Radient Red, microfiber interior

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VP18 Radiant Red, microfiber interior

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doug said: ?

VP17 Fusion Red, microfiber interior

Click to expand...

Are you sure that is Fusion Red? It sure looks like a metallic color (thus, Radiant Red) to me.
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tonybelding said: ?

Are you sure that is Fusion Red? It sure looks like a metallic color (thus, Radiant Red) to me.
Click to expand...

Actually, no. I'm not sure. I'm only sure that it's VP17. I used TEG's list for the color name. What color is P2/VIN3? There were some pics with P2 and VP17 together and they look to be the same color. I had originally assumed P2 was Radiant Red.

EDIT:
Confirmed that VP17 is Radiant Red. In fact so is EP2. There currently isn't a Roadster that is Fusion Red.

RE-EDIT: No longer true. Signature 100, #5 is the first Fusion Red.
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Fusion Red

I haven't seen a Roadster identified as Fusion Red yet, but I believe the color would look a lot like this. . .

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Another one of the VPs... Used for durability testing at the Lotus test track:

(Edit: Think it is/was VP3)
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Left to right:
VP3, VP18, VP12

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VP3 in Europe

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Doug, what's the source Classic Driver article for those pictures?
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dpeilow said: ?

Doug, what's the source Classic Driver article for those pictures?
Click to expand...

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/news-articles-events/1539-german-magazine-review.html
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Danke sch�n :smile:
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VP5 Info

There are a couple of photos of VP5 in the private owners area. The photos aren't very interesting, but there's is a little bit of information in the captions:

Jet Black VP5 on display in the Tech Pavilion at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. Photo taken June, 2007.

Jet Black VP5 from a bird's eye view, featuring a light grey leather interior configured in "traditional" style. Photo taken July, 2007.
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VP21
Radiant Red
premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint

in Europe.

in Atlanta

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VP24 in Menlo Park

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Note from Bob Sexton:

Our New Marketing Cars are Polar White, Electric Blue and Silver.
The White and Blue Cars are up in MP [Menlo Park] and the Silver car is in the LA Store right now.

This changes all the time though.
Click to expand...

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VP19 in the UK.
silver
red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel). black head rest.

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New marketing car, VP22:
Exterior -- Electric Blue
Interior -- premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint

Tesla Roadster 2 - a set on Flickr
Tesla Roadster - a set on Flickr

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Oh right! I saw this one a couple of weeks ago in the store. The Gray/light Gray interior turned out very nice in person.
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VP23
Exterior - Sterling Silver
Interior - premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint

Left to Right: P1/F1, VP17, VP23
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more VP23:

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Thunder Gray with red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel) at the Casino de Monte Carlo:

More photos here.

I believe this is the other marketing car that was used in the Top Gear review (the Roadster that over heated). Anyone remember which VP this is?
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I think you are right Doug, but I'm not sure we have ever worked out the VP# for it.

Monte Carlo again? They do have a bit of a gambling habit don't they? :wink:
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Baccarat for pinks anyone?
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VP20?

Electric Blue, Black interior
Located in Europe
Seen in Motor Trend.

Sadly, it was crashed:

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List of Validation Prototypes and marketing cars. (This post will be periodically updated.)

--Validation Prototypes--
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint
----------

See also here.
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VP26
Fusion Red
premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint

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TEG said: ?

Hey Doug, aren't you supposed to hotlink back to the Flickr page where you found those? :wink:
Click to expand...

Not necessary when they are my own photos. The medium sized ones link to larger pictures.
�

Did you get a ride?
�

VP25:

Had a visit from Esben Pedersen, Sales and Marketing Director of Northern Europe, the other day. We invited media and did test drives with prospetive clients. Here are some photos for you to enjoy! Driving the Roadster in the snow with TC turned off was a thrill!

More photos:
Ferdinand Motor AS - F�rste Tesla Roadster i Bergen!
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VP27
Very Orange
premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint

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The availability of power puts Teslas in the nicest places.
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doug said: ?

Nice shot of VP16

Click to expand...

I heard that VP 16 was recently "upgraded" to a partial Sport model. Adjustable suspension.
It doesn't have the engine or tires yet.
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VP18 ready to hit the wet and windy road to Verbier

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On a frozen lake

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vfx said: ?

VP18 ready to hit the wet and windy road to Verbier
Click to expand...

Did Richard Branson get a Roadster already?!
�

OK VP fans, here we go :smile:

VP29
Electric Blue
Black / Grey two-tone interior
Hardtop

�

List of Validation Prototypes and marketing cars. (This post will be periodically updated.)

--Validation Prototypes--

VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
VP29: Electric Blue; two-tone black/gray(grey)
VP28: ?
VP27: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP26: Fusion Red; premium two-tone, traditional, beige/black, black head restraint
VP25: Thunder Gray; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel)
VP24: Arctic White; black
VP23: Sterling Silver; premium two-tone, black/red, red head restraint
VP22: Electric Blue; premium two-tone, rally 1, dark gray/light gray, light gray head restraint
VP21: Radiant Red; premium two-tone, rally 2, beige/black, beige head restraint
VP20?: Electric Blue; black; crashed on the streets of southern France
VP19: Sterling Silver; custom leather red/black two-tone interior (including steering wheel), black head restraint
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster
VP17: Radiant Red; microfiber
VP16: Glacier Blue; cream
VP15: does not exist
VP14: Green; was in the UK, currently in the US used for engineering
VP13: Very Orange; premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, black head restraint
VP12: Black; saddle
VP11: Thunder Gray; microfiber
VP10: Sterling Silver; black
VP9: Electric Blue; black
VP8: ?
VP7: ?
VP6: ?
VP5: Jet Black; black
VP4: Arctic White; black
VP3: Racing Green; black
VP2: ?
VP1: Signature Green; premium two-tone, traditional, black/beige, black head restraint
----------

See also here.
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With VPs coming in after production started, can they really be called "Validation Prototypes"?
�

Not really I guess... I hear the Tesla people refer to them externally as "marketing cars." They get the VINs of VPs so as not to screw up the VIN sequence of cars intended for sale, but they aren't really prototypes any more. However, some VPs can get retasked as engineering cars to try out drivetrain components or different interior elements. I hear one of the current VPs will be modified to show off the 2009 interior.
�

Marketing cars is the correct collective term, but the individual specimens are still referred to as VPxx in my experience.
�

Glacier VP 16 is upgraded to a Sport package suspension. It doesn't have the motor or the wheels. But it does have the adjustable suspension already.
If someone wants to update the master tracking list...
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VP30(?) - This has a different plate to VP25, so I guess so.

OK who put the Gumball 3000 sticker on it?

From here.

(ah - he did...)
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VP28
Very Orange, powder coat black wheels, sport tires.
premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, orange head restraint

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doug said: ?

VP28
Very Orange, powder coat black wheels, sport tires.
premium two-tone, rally 1, black/orange, orange head restraint
Click to expand...

Doug, are those aftermarket black wheels? Or are those the same that Tesla will be providing?
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James said: ?

Doug, are those aftermarket black wheels? Or are those the same that Tesla will be providing?
Click to expand...

They took the normal wheels and had them powder coated. I was told the Tesla wheels will be different but similar.
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VP31 - Electric Blue, microfibre.

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dpeilow said: ?

VP31 - Electric Blue, microfibre.

Click to expand...

VP31 - Electric Blue, microfibre: Now assigned to the Seattle area sales rep. It is based up here as a marketing car. I took it for a drive today to get my monthly Tesla Roadster fix.
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Does VP31 hold the record for the VP driven by the most forum members? :biggrin:
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VP32 - 2008 VP32 - a set on Flickr
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Cool!

More screen saver images.
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VP29 at OEAMTC EVN Cup Wachauring Austria

OEAMTC EVN CUP 2009 / Wachauring Austria - a set on Flickr
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Cool. What's the deal with that Magna Steyr Mini?
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I dont know about it, also asked Craig, but he also didnt know.
He just thought it might be "more easy to hide or demonstrate" something in a Mini (put out the back seats, add some battery there) than in an other car.
The controllers under the hood looked "cool", but from the data of the car itself it was not that blast.
Anyway, as long as we dont know some price point, we cant judge on the technics. But I think it is more a demonstration mule for power / drivetrain parts magna is developing in this area for OEM use by other manufacturers.
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Alpine Driver said: ?

VP29 at OEAMTC EVN Cup Wachauring Austria
Click to expand...

Guess we missed each other.
Was good to get my hands on the Roadster again - and lots of fun to drive it around the track a few times.
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doug said: ?

VP30: Thunder Gray (in Europe, no known photos)
Click to expand...

I drove VP30 last week. Photos made by a friend of mine at Autozine.nl. (Review only in Dutch - translation will follow)
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It is claimed that VP18 has a 240 kW motor which is more powerful that the standard and sport motors, could this be true?

If this is the case, could the new 3.0 battery upgrade be able to take advantage of this?

In case of an update to the VP listing, I can confirm that VP18 is converted to Brabus.
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster.
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lmore said: ?

It is claimed that VP18 has a 240 kW motor which is more powerful that the standard and sport motors, could this be true?

If this is the case, could the new 3.0 battery upgrade be able to take advantage of this?

In case of an update to the VP listing, I can confirm that VP18 is converted to Brabus.
VP18: Radiant Red; microfiber -- rumored to have been converted to the Brabus Roadster.
Click to expand...

Interesting...

It felt like VP31 was quicker than it should have been as well.

I heard rumors that some Roadsters are known as "mutants" because they make more power than advertised.

This:
Roadster Features and Specifications | Tesla Motors
Says "...Up to 295 lbs-ft of torque and 300 horsepower are produced..."
240kW would be like 321hp...

For some reason, this:
Tesla Roadster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
says "2.5 Sport : 288 hp (215 kW)"

The max HP numbers seem to vary from place to place... 288hp? 290hp? 300hp? 321hp?
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TEG said: ?

Interesting...

It felt like VP31 was quicker than it should have been as well.

I heard rumors that some Roadsters are known as "mutants" because they make more power than advertised.
Click to expand...

The previous owner of EU VIN 0447 (non sport!) did an official 0-100km/h measurement once, and he did it in 3.2s. So I guess that statement is true.
Note: according to the dutch car registry, the car was registered as having 50hp... rrrrright
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Is this VP33?

Tesla: Roadster Black

Thanks
�

Down at the local SC today and I bumped into an old flame

So pleased to see VP12 still around and waiting to be restored.

�

teslamotorclub

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Validation Prototypes (VPs) part 1

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