Deposed Tesla chief gives his thoughts on roadster

SAN FRANCISCO/LONDON — Regular visitors to the blog of deposed Tesla Motors co-founder Martin Eberhard have been anxiously awaiting his driving impressions of the Tesla Roadster. They finally got a detailed critique of the car on Sunday, with such zingers as, "The rear suspension is mighty harsh on sharp bumps" and "The JVC radio-CD player-nav system-Vegematic thingy is horrible."

Meanwhile, the Tesla Motors top brass have fully turned their attention to the Europe market, issuing a gushing press release early Monday about His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent's drive in the Roadster. Prince Michael "has become the first member of the British Royal Family to get behind the wheel of the new Tesla Roadster," the company said in a statement. "He was particularly encouraged by the zero-emissions technology being developed by Tesla Motors," the company noted.

Eberhard's blog posting, in which he chronicled a lengthy test-drive, was much more entertaining. He noted he has put more than 1,000 miles on the Roadster in two weeks. The test-drive included such tidbits as: "I haven't yet found a place to stash parking meter change in the car" and "I find myself looking under the big SUVs to see what's coming, since I can't see over or around 'em" from behind the wheel of the Tesla Roadster.

The test-drive included bouquets and brickbats for the electric car. "At the top of the list, I love the acceleration," wrote Eberhard. "I've driven a few quick cars, including somebody-or-other's ostentatious McLaren F1," he said. "But I have never driven anything like the Roadster that makes such awesome power so accessible."

Eberhard said actual driving range seems to be "about 125 miles on the 'normal charge' setting, and perhaps 160 miles on the max range.' "

"I am 6'2", and I find the forward view to be a bit restricted, just as it is in a Lotus," he griped. "The inside rearview mirror hogs up too much of the windshield space, creating a blind spot. I also removed my visors — they just slide off."

What this means to you: Prince Michael of Kent is mum about his driving impressions of the Tesla Roadster, but we get a mouthful from Martin Eberhard