Although the Tesla name is now a household name, its Lotus-based roadster was something of a curiosity when it appeared in prototype form in 2006. Car enthusiasts, environmentalists, and early adopters clamored to buy the early cars and despite its six-figure pricetag and limited practicality owing to its sports car package, the Roadster sold in surprisingly large numbers, effectively demonstrating the proof of concept of the technology which is currently revolutionizing the automotive industry. Production began in the first quarter of 2008, and by summer of 2009, the Roadster Sport variant appeared, with an additional 40hp (now 288hp), which reduced the car’s 0-60 time from 3.9 seconds to 3.7 seconds. A year later in the summer of 2010, the 2.5 generation of the car bowed, received further updates including new front and rear fascias, new wheels, and new seats, creating the definitive version of the Roadster.