A one-of-a-kind secret Tesla Roadster R&D prototype is for sale
You’ve perhaps heard of the original Tesla Roadster, the car that started Tesla and the EV revolution. Now, a Roadster you probably haven’t heard of is for sale – a one-of-a-kind prototype for a performance package that never saw the light of day.
Recently, we got an email tip about an original Tesla Roadster which the owners were about to put up for sale.
Normally, we wouldn’t write an article just because someone is trying to sell any old car, even a Roadster (that said, I’m thinking of selling mine). But this email stood out because it came from Jamison Cummings, Tesla’s Chief Technician from the Roadster days, and it was about a particularly special Roadster – and one which most people haven’t heard of.
The car, a Tesla Roadster Sport with VIN #1124, was originally bought from Tesla in 2012, then was damaged in an accident and reacquired by Tesla. Tesla’s VP of Service at the time, Joost de Vries, acquired the car and it was repaired and rebuilt under the supervision of Carl Medlock, who at the time was the manager of Tesla’s Seattle service location, and who now runs one of the only third-party Roadster repair shops in the US, Medlock and Sons (Medlock currently co-owns the car along with Cummings).
After being repaired internally by Tesla, de Vries had the idea to develop a performance package for Tesla Roadsters, with the goal of coming up with a way that service could be made profitable – a directive leadership had established for him. An after-purchase performance package would be a way to bring revenue in through service departments.
The project never ended up being released as an option to the public, but the Roadster in question, which was going to be called either “Roadster RR” or “Roadster E-Sport” still assembled a large list of custom cosmetic and performance modifications:
- Tarox Italian Performance Brakes Front and Rear (only 1 of 3 cars known to be equipped with this system)
- Custom ABS Flash engineered to work seamlessly with the Tarox Braking System, developed by Continental (also 1 of 3)
- Hollinger Limited Slip Differential customized for EV torque (one of 2)
- Custom Tuned Bilstein Performance Sport Suspension (sole unit)
- Custom Roadster RR camber plates and handling package
- Hand-laid raw carbon bodywork, making it the only raw carbon Roadster in existence
The most striking feature is that last one, with the entire body clear-coated rather than painted, making the fibers of the carbon fiber visible on all body panels except the bumpers (which are plastic). The Roadster has a carbon fiber body normally, but it’s usually painted, with the carbon fiber only visible on the roll bar (and possibly a few other parts of the body, depending on option kits).
The package was proposed to cost $30,000, and would include several performance upgrades. But the project never finished due to changes in leadership, so it was never offered to the public, and this ended up being the only prototype.
While there are other customized Roadsters out there, this one occupies the unique space of being “factory customized,” at least to some extent. While it didn’t originally come out of the factory like that, the work was done under Tesla’s purview after the fact, with the intent of being an official manufacturer upgrade package – though the project was also controversial within Tesla, as there were accusations of overspending and the package never ended up seeing the light of day.
The car went on to be owned by de Vries until it was bought by Cummings and Medlock in 2022. Since the battery had died, the car was given a new “Roadster 3.0” 80kWh pack, and has been driven less than 100 miles on the new battery. Otherwise, the car has around 31,600 miles total, most of which was applied before the rework was completed.
To find out more about this special Roadster, visit the car’s website (or see it displayed at The Shop in Seattle, sometime soon™). It is for sale right now, and interested buyers can find contact information on the website. Internal documentation about the project will be provided to the buyer.
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Last week, we reported that the e-bike world had a new motor claiming to be the lightest and most efficient. Now, we’re already seeing TQ’s new TQHPR40 motor proliferate on more road and gravel e-bikes, including the recently announced E-ASTR from Ridely.
Ridley’s new E‑ASTR brings lightweight electric assistance to its already impressive ASTR gravel platform, powered by the cutting-edge TQ HPR40 mid-drive system. Unlike bulkier e‑bike setups, this system adds just 1.17 kg (2.6 lb) at the crank and a discreet 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) and 290 Wh battery hidden within the downtube, keeping the frame’s silhouette nearly identical to the non-electric version of the same bike. According to BikeRumor, riders looking closely might spot only a slightly fatter downtube, internal cable routing, and a handlebar-end LED indicator, giving visual clues without shouting “electric bike.”
What the E‑ASTR gives up in sheer power from the petite motor, it gains in ride feel. The HPR40 is said to deliver a modest 40 Nm of torque and up to 200W of assist, or enough to smooth out climbs or offer a tailwind on gravel without overpowering the rider. With support cut off at 25 km/h (15.5 mph), pedal responsiveness remains natural and fluid. Combined with the ASTR’s race-inspired geometry, the bike looks to offer sharp handling and comfort suited to the rigors of modern gravel routes.
Ridley is currently offering the E‑ASTR in three spec levels: a value SRAM Apex XPLR AXS build €7,199 (or approximately US $8,500), a mid-range SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×13 version for €8,199 (or approximately US $9,700), and a top-tier Shimano GRX 2×12 Di2 model for €8,899 (or approximately US $10,500). Each features high-end drivetrains, integrated cockpit options, carbon wheels, and industry-standard gravel brakes and tires. With its race-ready frame and stealthy, lightweight e‑assistance, the E‑ASTR is positioning itself as a high-performance gravel machine that stays true to its roots, delivering help when needed, without overshadowing the rider.
Ultra-lightweight motors like the TQHPR40 are quietly reshaping the e-bike industry by making electric assistance almost invisible, both in looks and in feel. As systems shrink and integrate more seamlessly into traditional bike frames, they’re opening the door to new categories of performance-oriented e-bikes that preserve the ride dynamics of analog bikes while offering just enough support when it counts.
For riders who value a natural pedaling experience but still want a little help on climbs or longer days, and especially for aging riders who want to maintain their riding habits despite father time taking an impact on joints and muscles, these minimalist systems are proving that you don’t need a bulky battery or a massive motor to get the benefits of going electric. The result is a wave of stealthy, high-performance e-bikes that are less about replacing effort and more about enhancing the ride.
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After a month off trying to wrap our heads around all the chaos surrounding EVs, solar, and everything else in Washington, we’re back with the biggest EV news stories of the day from Tesla, Ford, Volvo, and everyone else on today’s hiatus-busting episode of Quick Charge!
It just gets worse and worse for the Tesla true believers – especially those willing to put their money where Elon’s mouth is! One believer is set to lose nearly $50,000 betting on Tesla’s ability to deliver a Robotaxi service by the end of June (didn’t happen), and the controversial CEO’s most recent spat with President Trump had TSLA down nearly 5% in pre-morning trading.
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Hyundai is getting ready to shake things up. A new electric crossover SUV, likely the Hyundai IONIQ 2, is set to debut in the coming months. It will sit below the Kona Electric as Hyundai expands its entry-level EV lineup.
Is Hyundai launching the IONIQ 2 in 2026?
After launching the Inster late last year, Hyundai is already preparing to introduce a new entry-level EV in Europe.
Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Europe, confirmed that the new EV will be revealed “in the next few months.” It will be built in Europe and scheduled to go on sale in mid-2026.
Hyundai’s new electric crossover is expected to be a twin to the Kia EV2, which will likely arrive just ahead of it next year.
It will be underpinned by the same E-GMP platform, which powers all IONIQ and Kia EV models (EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9).
Like the Kia EV3, it will likely be available with either a 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh battery pack option. The former provides a WLTP range of 267 miles while the latter is rated with up to 372 miles. All trims are powered by a single electric motor at the front, producing 201 hp and 209 lb-ft of torque.
Although it may share the same underpinnings as the EV2, Hyundai’s new entry-level EV will feature an advanced new software and infotainment system.
According to Autocar, the interior will represent a “step change” in terms of usability and features. The new system enables new functions, such as ambient lighting and sounds that adjust depending on the drive mode.
It’s expected to showcase Hyundai’s powerful new Pleos software and infotainment system. As an end-to-end software platform, Pleos connects everything from the infotainment system (Pleos Connect) to the Vehicle Operating System (OS) and the cloud.
Pleos is set to power Hyundai’s upcoming software-defined vehicles (SDVs) with new features like autonomous driving and real-time data analysis.
As an Android-based system, Pleos Connect features a “smartphone-like UI” with new functions including multi-window viewing and an AI voice assistant.
The new electric crossover is expected to start at around €30,000 ($35,400), or slightly less than the Kia EV3, priced from €35,990 ($42,500). It will sit between the Inster and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s lineup.
Hyundai said that it would launch the first EV with its next-gen infotainment system in Q2 2026. Will it be the IONIQ 2? Hyundai is expected to unveil the new entry-level EV at IAA Mobility in September. Stay tuned for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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