Photos: Tesla Motors' new electric roadster

The thin console includes climate controls and houses the shifter. In older Teslas, the shift pattern would have a 1 and 2, for the two-speed gearbox, but with version 1.5 of the power train, you only need Drive, Neutral, and Reverse. The electric motor runs fine at speeds from 5mph up to the top governed speed of 125mph. This shifter is more of a cosmetic piece, as it doesn't control any mechanical elements.