Tesla unveils new Roadster with stunt show, opens reservations

Electric carmaker Tesla presented its next-generation Roadster sports car at a launch event on 16 October, performing a series of stunts and opening reservations. Taking a reservation means the company is now accepting orders for the model, with its most advanced versions limited to select buyers.

The stunt show

The Roadster first appeared at the bottom of a C-shaped ramp. It drove up the ramp twice and stopped at the top, perpendicular to the ground and hanging upside-down. After the second climb, the car jumped off, rolled over and came down safely using cold-gas thrusters. Tesla says the system uses technology borrowed from space company SpaceX.

Later, the Roadster jumped over several Tesla vehicles parked side by side. Near the end of the presentation, it performed one more flip: from a standing start it leapt up, turned over in the air and hovered back down.

Prices and versions

A reservation for the base vehicle costs $5,000, with a further $45,000 due within 10 days. The version with suction devices, which let the car hang upside-down on the ramp, plus accelerator thrusters, requires a $250,000 reservation.

The version that can jump and hover will be offered only to select customers, and reservations for it are by invitation only.