Tesla Unveils SpaceX-Powered Roadster Concept With Midair Maneuvers
Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster concept with cold-gas thrusters, midair flips and a claimed 0.81-second 0-60 mph run.
At the debut, Tesla drove the new Roadster up a vertical ramp that then went horizontal. It repeated the feat but drove off the ramp and used thrusters to flip itself over and make a controlled landing on the ground. It then performed a barrel roll over the rest of the Tesla lineup and again landed without issue. Tesla said the car completed 0-60 mph in 0.81 seconds.
The vehicle marks the first Roadster shown by Tesla in nearly a decade. The company is calling it simply Roadster, not Roadster 2.0 or CyberRoadster, presenting it as a direct successor to the original Tesla. Its design differs considerably from the car shown in 2017, shifting from a somewhat curvaceous sports car to a more angular shape. Slashdot described it as looking like the offspring of a Cybertruck and a Lamborghini Reventon, if those vehicles had a runt of a baby.
Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the Roadster uses 10 cold-gas thrusters powered by two 600-liter compressed-air tanks to accelerate and maneuver in mid-air. Underbody suction fans reportedly generate up to 2Gs of downforce even while the car is stationary, while an active rear spoiler adjusts aerodynamics in real time. The car also features steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and throttle-by-wire technology.
Tesla plans three variants. The Performance model requires a $50,000 deposit. The Thrust model, priced at $250,000, is described as capable of sub-one-second acceleration. The Rocket is an invite-only, single-seat version capable of flying. Production is not expected until 2028. Tesla has not disclosed key specifications, including range, horsepower, battery capacity and motor configuration.
Editor's Summary Tesla has shown a redesigned Roadster concept developed with SpaceX, featuring cold-gas thrusters, a claimed 0.81-second 0-60 mph run and planned Performance, Thrust and Rocket variants. Production is not expected until 2028, and key specifications such as range, horsepower, battery capacity and motor configuration remain undisclosed.