Clear strikes and sporty notes: What people are saying about the Tesla Roadster

Tesla unexpectedly unveiled the second-generation Roadster last week. The Roadster, in prototype form, boasts impressive performance stats: 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a top speed of over 250 mph and a 620-mile range. While it remains to be determined how and where it will be built, Tesla claims production will start in 2020. Here's a roundup of what people are saying about the Roadster's looks.

"There are a number of things that Tesla nailed with the new Roadster's design. First, it hits all the right sporty notes. It has big voluptuous fenders, a low nose, and a rakish fastback. Second, it finally makes Tesla's grille-less nose attractive. Not that the Model 3 is especially ugly, but it still looks like it's supposed to have a grille with the tall, upturned crease at the front. Without some kind of grille, it looks like a Hognose Snake. Finally, it manages to pull off a sporty look while retaining Tesla family cues, such as the aforementioned grille-less fascia, simple curves, and large greenhouse."

-- Autoblog

"The new Roadster looks like it will easily slot into the Tesla lineup, wearing curvy styling cues seen on the Model S, Model X, and Model 3. When the Model S first debuted, its styling didn't really jibe with that of the old Roadster. That's because the first-gen Roadster was essentially a rebodied Lotus Elise. This new model was designed from the ground up, so the look is more cohesive.

"The 2020 Roadster's front fascia is smooth and sleek, with only a single trapezoidal opening at the bottom — perhaps the only thing the front end has in common with its predecessor. The headlights are narrow and sit below the fender arches, giving the nose an aggressive, low-slung look.

"From the side, the new Roadster now looks the part of a supercar with a narrow greenhouse opening, raked roofline, and small retractable wing. The Roadster again features a targa top, with a removable roof panel that opens up the cabin to the elements. The rear end is just as dramatic as the front, with wide fenders and well-defined shoulders. The taillights almost meld into the bodywork, and are incredibly slim. The rear bumper has an integrated diffuser, which is probably necessary if the car can indeed hit speeds above 250 mph."

-- Alex Nishimoto, Motor Trend

"If the claims are all true, or even close to true, the competition won't see anything but the new Roadster's shiny LED taillights.

"Consider some numbers: 0-60 in 1.9 seconds; 0-100 in 4.2 seconds; the quarter-mile in 8.9 seconds; top speed of 250 mph; 620 miles range; 2+2 seating means it'll hold four people; "tons of storage."

"And it looks terrific."

-- Mark Vaughn, Autoweek

"The design is clear strike against the sports car industry. There are possible cues from all the majors players, including a McLaren P1 cockpit, an Acura NSX exterior, Bugatti Chiron headlights, a Targa-like roof, and a rear reminiscent of an Aston Martin DB10."

-- Andrew J. Hawkins and Tamara Warren, The Verge

"The Roadster's exterior design is quite beautiful, if not as striking as that of, say, a Bugatti Chiron, one of the only cars that may be able to keep up with the thing. It's also not quite as distinctive as a McLaren 570GT, a car with which it will compete on price, with the electric model already advertised to start at $200,000."

-- Steve Siler, Car and Driver