Tesla published its first "Master Plan", written by Musk, describing a strategy of starting with high-price, low-volume sports cars. A US$40 million third funding round closed in May, Roadster prototypes were unveiled on July 19, 2006, in Santa Monica, and Time named the car one of the best inventions of 2006.
Tesla veröffentlichte den ersten von Musk verfassten „Master Plan“: zuerst teure Sportwagen in kleiner Stückzahl. Im Mai schloss eine dritte Finanzierungsrunde über 40 Mio. US-Dollar, am 19. Juli 2006 wurden in Santa Monica Roadster-Prototypen vorgestellt, und das Time-Magazin zählte das Auto zu den besten Erfindungen des Jahres 2006.
Tesla publicó su primer «Master Plan», escrito por Musk, con la estrategia de empezar por deportivos caros y de bajo volumen. En mayo se cerró una tercera ronda de 40 millones de dólares, el 19 de julio de 2006 se presentaron los prototipos del Roadster en Santa Mónica y la revista Time lo eligió entre los mejores inventos de 2006.
Tesla a publié son premier « Master Plan », rédigé par Musk : commencer par des voitures de sport chères produites en petite série. Un troisième tour de 40 millions de dollars a été bouclé en mai, les prototypes du Roadster ont été dévoilés le 19 juillet 2006 à Santa Monica et le magazine Time l'a classé parmi les meilleures inventions de 2006.
特斯拉发布了由马斯克撰写的第一份“宏图计划”（Master Plan），确立了先推出高价、小批量跑车的战略。5 月完成 4,000 万美元的第三轮融资，2006 年 7 月 19 日在圣莫尼卡发布 Roadster 原型车，《时代》杂志将其评为 2006 年最佳发明之一。
In a November 27, 2006, review of a prototype Roadster in Slate, Paul Boutin wrote, "A week ago, I went for a spin in the fastest, most fun car I've ever ridden in—and that includes the Aston Martin I tried to buy once.
Prototypes of the car were officially revealed to the public on July 19, 2006, in Santa Monica, California, at a 350-person invitation-only event held in Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport.
In June 2006, Tesla reported the Roadster's battery-to-wheel efficiency as 110 Wh/km (17.7 kWh/100 mi) on an unspecified driving cycle—either a constant 60 mph (97 km/h)) or SAE J1634 test—and stated a charging efficiency of 86% for an overall plug-to-wheel efficiency of 128 Wh/km (20.5 kWh/100 mi).
Musk co-led the third, $40 million round in May 2006 which saw investment from prominent entrepreneurs including Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and former eBay president Jeff Skoll.
In 2006, Musk stated that Tesla's strategy was to first produce high-price, low-volume vehicles, such as sports cars, for which customers are less sensitive to price.