Tesla Roadster lifts off at unveiling using SpaceX technology
At an unveiling in Texas, US electric carmaker Tesla showed its new Roadster briefly rising into the air using SpaceX-developed gas thrusters. Series production is planned to start in 2028.
US electric carmaker Tesla unveiled its new Roadster sports car at the SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas. The car showed not only rapid acceleration but also took off and performed acrobatic manoeuvres using technology developed with the space company SpaceX. Both companies are led by Elon Musk, and the demonstration hints at which technologies could reach buyers if they can be adapted for a production model.
Gas thrusters and downforce
The brief lift-off is made possible by ten compressed-gas thrusters placed around the body, developed together with SpaceX. According to the company, the system uses roughly 250 kg of compressed gas. Musk has explained that the car will be able to replenish the required gas reserve itself by filling its tanks with compressed air.
The technology is meant not only for short jumps but also for improving performance. The Roadster also has a fan, an air intake system and an active rear wing designed to increase downforce. Tesla claims that in corners the car can reach up to 2 g of lateral load, which the company says is significantly more than previous production cars.
Versions, prices and open questions
The Roadster will come in several versions. The manufacturer says the Performance version will accelerate to 96 km/h in under 1.6 seconds, the Thrust version in 0.9 seconds and the Rocket version in 0.59 seconds. At the unveiling, according to Musk, the car reached 96 km/h in 0.81 seconds.
Series production is planned to begin in 2028. The car can already be reserved with a deposit of between 45,000 and 250,000 US dollars, depending on the type of reservation. It remains unclear whether all the demonstrated features will be available on public roads, where the car will be built and in which countries it will be sold.
