Tesla Roadster claimed to be fastest production car ever in 2020

Tesla has wowed attendees at its 'Semi' reveal event in Hawthorne, California this afternoon, with the eagerly anticipated Roadster 2.0 unexpectedly breaking cover, promising to be the quickest production car ever.

According to several publications reporting from the presentation, the two-door sportscar will sprint from 0-60mph (97km/h) in a record 1.9 seconds on the way to hitting 100mph (161km/h) in 4.2s.

The full electric vehicle (EV) will also knock down the quarter-mile in 8.9sec and boast a provisional top speed of more than 402km/h. According to Tesla founder Elon Musk, these figures may improve in the production vehicle.

Powered by three electric motors, the Roadster 2.0 will produce an absurd 10,000Nm of torque.

“The point of doing this is to give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline vehicles,” Mr Musk said. “Driving a gasoline sportscar is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche.”

Despite its performance credentials, the EV will provide 1014 kilometres of electric driving range, thanks to its mammoth 200kWh battery – double the size of any offered in a current Tesla model.

“You’ll be able to travel from LA to San Francisco and back without recharging,” Mr Musk said.

If that is not enough, Mr Musk promised that this was only the base variant, meaning an even more potent Roadster 2.0 is waiting in the wings.

Thanks to its 2+2 set-up, up to four occupants will be able to enjoy the EV's blistering acceleration.

However, potential buyers will need to start saving, as the entry-level Roadster 2.0 will cost $US200,000 ($A264,375), with a $US50,000 ($A66,094) deposit required ahead of its scheduled 2020 launch. A special Founder's Edition variant limited to 1000 units will be priced at $US250,000 ($A330,469).

Customers willing to pay on-the-spot deposits at the event will be given a brief test drive of the prototype on show, whetting their appetites even further.

Needless to say, the Roadster 2.0 quickly stole the spotlight from the Semi, which is Tesla's version of an EV semi-truck (prime mover) that dashes from 0-97km/h in 5.0 seconds – three times faster than a comparable diesel semi-truck.

Electric driving range will be around 805km, while a 30-minute charge of its battery pack will add 644km of range. The Semi will go into production in 2019, with reservations requiring a $US5000 ($A6606) deposit open now.

It is currently unclear if the Tesla Roadster 2.0 or Semi will be sold in Australia.

Will Tesla be able to deliver the Roadster 2.0 as promised? Tell us what you think in the comments below.