San Carlos, California – Electric sports car manufacturer Tesla Motors has begun taking orders for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance version of its all-electric, zero-emissions sports car.

The Roadster Sport does zero to 96 km/h in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It includes a hand-wound stator (the stationary part of the electric motor) and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque, along with an improved suspension with adjustable dampers, and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.

Available in the U.S. and Europe, the Roadster Sport has a starting price of US$128,500.

The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary patented powertrain.   So far, the company has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, with about 1,100 people on waiting lists. Those still waiting for Roadsters can upgrade to the Roadster Sport.

Tesla Motors will also begin producing its all-electric Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.