Brandon Fletcher
The latest Tesla Roadster may not be able to take flight, but it impressively accelerates to 60 miles per hour in under a second, utilizing boosters. It can even drive upside down and navigate corkscrew maneuvers in mid-air, demonstrated during the prototype’s unveiling at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday night.
“We need spectators to demonstrate that it’s not AI or SI,” stated Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, addressing the audience and referencing the White House’s preferred term for “Super Intelligence.”
Nearly ten years after first taking deposits for the Roadster, Tesla launched a bright red first-generation model into space in 2018, featuring a mannequin named Starman aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as part of a publicity event. In 2019, a demonstration for the Cybertruck ended with Tesla’s design chief breaking two of its supposedly unbreakable “Armor Glass” windows, leading to the Cybertruck becoming associated with negative perceptions and underwhelming sales, even less than the notorious Ford Edsel. this reveal held significant stakes for Tesla.
This prototype represents a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, powered by what Musk referred to as an “advanced ultra-high pressure air tank” that fuels SpaceX cold-gas thrusters. The demonstration was conducted at a safe distance from the main stage for safety precautions. Musk assured attendees, “Success is not guaranteed… But if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance.”
To everyone’s astonishment, it worked. Tesla showcased the prototype Roadster launching upside down from a half-circle ramp and expertly executing a corkscrew maneuver. Later in the demo video, the Roadster leapt over the entire Tesla vehicle fleet in a monster-truck-style jump, again incorporating a corkscrew element.
<p“Equipped with attitude control thrusters and main thrusters in the rear, the car can essentially fly like a rocket and perform rolls,” Musk explained to the crowd. <p“Long-term, this will be the only manually driven car that Tesla produces,” he added at another point during the event.
The Roadster’s ability to drive upside down is facilitated by suction fans that Musk claimed can generate over 2 Gs of cornering grip. While Musk acknowledged that not many individuals would want to drive upside down, he asserted that the car’s downforce allows for exceptional cornering capabilities. Alongside its rapid acceleration, he promised it would “smash every track record that has ever existed.”
The sound of the SpaceX cold-gas thrusters was thunderously loud, particularly noted during the livestream when Musk activated them close to the audience for a brief period.
Tesla also showcased a clip of the Roadster achieving 60 miles per hour in one second, followed by a live demonstration where it reached the same speed in 0.81 seconds. Musk mentioned that the SpaceX thrusters provide 80 kilonewtons of thrust—an unusual measure for vehicles—and utilize compressed air, eliminating the need for additional fuel.
While this feature could be considered practical, the booming boosters and compressed air back-blast would likely be uncomfortable for anyone nearby.
Musk humorously remarked during the demonstration that the upper limit of acceleration is likely just before G-forces cause retinal detachment, hoping it remains below that threshold.
As a final spectacle, Tesla revealed the prototype Roadster launching straight up into the air for a corkscrew maneuver from the ground.
Fortunately, none of these daring feats led to a SpaceX-style explosion, much to the relief of Musk and other presenters. The Roadster is set to be available in three configurations: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket, with only the Rocket version equipped with thrusters for vertical movement.
The practical application of the car’s corkscrew capability remains uncertain; it likely isn’t legal, and it’s difficult to envision a real-world scenario where executing this maneuver wouldn’t result in a chaotic outcome.
As reported by MotorTrend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies any vehicle that rises “Any Inch Off the Ground” as an aircraft, imposing airspace restrictions around the McGregor test facility prior to the event’s original date on October 1. This implies that the Roadster’s unique features would be subject to FAA regulations, necessitating use in pre-approved locations away from public roads. Tesla has a history of tensions with its primary safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The new Roadster is slated for production in 2028, according to Musk and his team. They emphasized to the audience that this timeline is a firm commitment, not just an estimate. aside from the spectacle, little additional concrete information was provided.
Tesla did not disclose further specifications, such as a detailed spec sheet or pricing. Originally, the promised specs for this new generation of Roadster, announced in 2017, included a 0-60 miles per hour time of 1.9 seconds or less, a top speed of 250 miles per hour, and a driving range of 620 miles.
Daniel Mercer
