Damon Hill signs up for Tesla: MT scoop!

The 300bhp electric motor that sets the all-new Tesla Roadster’s wheels in motion – and sets the environmentally aware car punter back around £70K – will lead a field of 20 competitors in the UK later this week, with none other than Damon Hill leading the parade.

He may occupy his time more with promoting his posh members experience car clubs these days, but that hasn’t stopped be-whiskered former Formula One World champ Damon Hill from signing up to drive for sports car newcomers Tesla, the globe’s first fully electrically-fledged sports car.

Set to go on sale across Europe from May 2009, 250 fully-loaded limited edition Tesla Roadster two-seater electrically-charged sports cars are currently available to order. With 0 – 62mph witnessed in 3.9 seconds, odds are that the saviour of the eco-system won’t hang around for ever though.

However, before all that happens there’s the small case of the hirsute one positioning himself behind the wheel of the all-new Tesla Roadster at the GreenFleet Capital Arrive ‘n’ Drive 08 spectacular, which slips into top gear during the London Horse Guard’s Parade on July 31.

This rare public outing for a more race-orientated Damon Hill will showcase the merits of the Tesla Roadster, as it cuts through swathes of needless emissions released into the heavily clogged atmosphere above London, as it criss-crosses the sprawling metropolis.

And whilst going through its paces, ably demonstrating that air quality for the capital city’s inhabitants could be greatly improved if we all took on board the latest automotive innovations on the market.

Hill will head up a team of 20 public and private sector drivers awaiting starters orders on a pre-determined 33 mile course that weaves around London and predominantly showcases how electrically-powered vehicles of all shapes and sizes offer hope for the future of the populations health and the planet’s long term future.

As is well documented, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has laid bare his wishes to see all new cars sold in the UK to be either electric or hybrid-operated by 2020, and optimistically emitting less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide in the process.

As for Damon Hill’s latest motoring challenge, viewers eager to keep tabs on their ex-hero pootling around the capital will have their nostalgia-tinted wish granted thanks to the Tesla being armed with an on-board tracking device, which will allow fans access all areas as Hill circumnavigates London, blasts other motorists, cheats a few red lights and picks his nose.

Excited about taking part in the event, Darryl Siry, senior vice president of sales, marketing and service, Tesla Motors said: “It is a huge privilege for Damon Hill to present the Tesla Roadster to car enthusiasts on the capital’s streets. This will be a perfect opportunity for people to witness high performance and fun motoring without the need to compromise the environment.”

The all-new Tesla Roadster is derived from the Lotus Elise, and as such is manufactured by Lotus from its Norfolk HQ in the UK, yet its battery packs are produced in California.