Tesla Recalls 439 Roadsters Over Potential Fire Hazard

Tesla Motors has initiated a voluntary safety recall on its battery-electric Roadster 2.0 and 2.5 models following the discovery of a potential fire hazard involving an auxiliary power cable.

The California-based automaker said it became aware of the problem after a single incident where an auxiliary cable "chafed against the edge of a carbon fiber panel in the vehicle causing a short, smoke and possible fire behind the right front headlamp of the vehicle."

The affected 12 volt auxiliary cable is located in the passenger wheel well behind the right headlight. It is part of a backup system that provides power to systems including the front and rear lights, turn signals and airbags in the event the primary 12 volt power system fails or drops below a certain threshold.

Tesla said it has assured owners of the 439 affected Roadsters that it is merely a precautionary measure and does not affect the main battery pack or power systems in any way. It also does not affect Roadster 1.5 models (vehicles with a VIN ending in 500 or before), as these vehicles do not have the 12 volt auxiliary cable installed.

Owners of the affected models are being notified by email and post, and can make an appointment for Tesla service staff to inspect the cable and install a protective sleeve to prevent any further incidents. This can be done at the owner's home or place of work and takes approximately one hour. The appropriate regulatory agencies have also been notified.

By Tristan Hankins

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Seat IBE Coupe Concept 2 in the Flesh from the Paris Motor Show

Following on from our preview of Seat's latest IBE Concept model, we now have live pictures of the compact sports coupe from the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Improvements over the first IBE Concept, which was shown in Geneva earlier this year, include refinements to the design and technology, while the Paris Show car now also sports an interior.

Measuring in at just 3.83 meters (12.5 ft) in length, the IBE Paris is smaller than Volkswagen's Scirocco. Utilizing a 75 kw (102 hp) electric drive system, the concept is good for 130 km (81 miles) on a single charge. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) can be achieved in 9.7 seconds

"The IBE shows SEAT's vision for a car of the future that is as emotional as it is ecologically responsible and affordable," said Seat's design boss of former Lamborghini fame, Luc Donckerwolke.

"The IBE is a concentrated version of our design DNA. Both exterior and interior are characterised by their focus on key elements, by a clear and precise architecture, by modern technology and by materials that are as high-quality as they are ecological."

By Tristan Hankins

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Paris Show: Renault ZOE Preview Teases 2012 Production EV and Hints at Next Clio

One or two sizes up from the quirky little Twizy is where Renault's ZOE Preview sits. Following in the vein of last year's ZOE Z.E. coupe, the ZOE Preview is a more realistic look at the production version that will be available in 2012 wearing Renault's newest face. Not only that, but it may just be previewing (ZING!) the next Clio as well.

Similar in size to the Clio, this little electric econobox gets some high-end passenger comfort tech that may or may not show up in the production model (Renault claims 90% of what you see here is what you'll get). To get occupants comfortable, the ZOE has a humidity-regulating climate control system with an integrated toxicity sensor and scent diffuser.

Oh, there's more, don't worry. It also provides "light therapy", which is being co-developed with Philips (apparently a "world-renowned light therapy specialist").

The concept seen here is 4.1 meters long and rides on 19-inch wheels. For production, dimensions are going to be similar, but those wheels? Probably not showing up. Power comes from an 80-horsepower / 60 kW electric motor that makes 222 Nm / 164 lb-ft of torque.

A charge will take from 6 to 8 hours and can be done (primarily) two different ways: either with a Wall Box that you connect to your home's outlet, or by optional EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). Renault recommends going with the wall box for the sake of convenience. Also possible, should an infrastructure appear sometime soon, is what the company calls a "Fast Charge"; this gives the car a 37-mile emergency run after only ten minutes of charging.

Israelis and Danes may also have the opportunity for Quickdrop batteries, meaning there will be stations that will change out your used-up battery in a matter of minutes.

By Phil Alex

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Paris Show: Audi e-tron Spyder Concept puts Porsche's Boxster on Notice

In order to keep its e-high rolling, Audi has created yet another pretty and efficient vehicle for Paris: the e-tron Spyder. Audi's latest plug-in no-top is powered by a 300-horse 3.0-liter V6 TDI outfitted with two turbochargers and two 88-horsepower / 64 kW electric motors; the results are impressive, to say the least.

The e-tron system in this car will help it hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds on its way to a limited 250 km/h (155 mph), provide an all-electric range of 31 miles, return a combined 128.4 mpg, and only pollute your air with 59 g of CO2 per kilometer. Total range is 621 miles for the 1,450-kg car.

Underneath, Audi has installed an "e-quattro" torque-vectoring system that helps put its 1,002 Nm (650 Nm from the TDI and 352 Nm from the motors, aka 739 lb ft) to the ground properly should you give it the beans.

Dimensions for the little electric torque monster are 4.06 meters long, 1.81 m wide, and 1.11 m tall, all with a wheelbase of 2.43 meters. Like other Audi concepts, all the lights are LED and likely will be should a production version of this ever appear.

Audi says the four rings on the nose "disappear beneath the front hatch" to reveal a charging plug and a display showing the vehicle's charge. Inside, there'a bunch of technical wizardry feeding the display in the driver-centric layout, but nothing really worth writing home about.

Check out the pics below and let us know what you think. Hopefully, the reaction to the e-tron Spyder will be a wee bit more positive than the 'quattro concept' (which should have stolen the show).

By Phil Alex

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