Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, introduced the new version of the electric sports car Roadster. The two-person vehicle, developed in partnership with SpaceX, performed maneuvers in the air thanks to its rocket boosters. Tesla announced that the car can reach speeds of over 370 kilometers per hour and accelerate from 0 to approximately 97 kilometers per hour in less than a second.
Remarkable images emerged at the promotion held at the SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, USA. The roadster went in reverse on a special ramp, rolled over, and took off using rocket boosters to land. In another demonstration, the car flew over vehicles lined up side by side.
Tesla aims to push the performance limits of electric cars with the new Roadster. However, it is not yet known to what extent the movements exhibited in the promotion can be performed in the mass production model.
HE MANEUVERED IN THE AIR WITH ROCKET PROPELLERS
The most striking feature of the new Roadster was its pressurized gas propellant system utilizing SpaceX technologies. Thrusters at the rear of the car provide additional thrust to the vehicle by spraying high-pressure gas.
According to the company's technical statements, the system can produce over 80 kilonewtons of thrust. Thrusters placed at different points of the vehicle support the forward and upward movements of the car. The system also allows it to perform mid-air turning maneuvers.
Tesla exhibited the Rocket version equipped with additional thrusters at the launch. It was stated that the electrical systems that control the thrusters can make quick corrections to maintain the balance of the vehicle.
However, it is not yet clear whether the technology that allows the car to take off will be available in the mass production model. It is also unknown whether the legal conditions required for the use of this system on the highway can be met.
IT REACHES FROM 0 TO 97 KILOMETERS IN LESS THAN A SECOND
Elon Musk said the new Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles (about 97 kilometers) in less than a second. According to the data shared in the promotion, the car accelerates to this speed in 0.81 seconds.
Tesla expects the Roadster's top speed to exceed 370 kilometers per hour. If the values announced by the company are realized, the model will be among the high-performance sports cars.
However, detailed information regarding the conditions under which these performance values were measured was not shared. It is not yet clear whether the mass production version of the car will be able to reach the same values.
Tesla had previously announced that the new Roadster can travel approximately 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. According to the company's current expectations, the range of the car will be over 483 kilometers.
ACTIVE AERODYNAMICS SYSTEM DRAWED ATTENTION
The new Roadster also draws attention with its active aerodynamic system, which draws air under the car with powerful fans. Tesla stated that this system creates downforce even when the vehicle is stationary and allows the car to move on an inverted surface.
The company claimed that the system could generate over 2 Gs of lateral force in corners. Elon Musk argued that thanks to this technology, the Roadster will achieve record-breaking performance on the tracks.
The company showed with a promotional video that the Roadster can move on an inverted surface.
IT WILL BE OFFERED IN THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS
Tesla introduced three different versions for the Roadster: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.
A deposit of 50 thousand dollars is required for the Performance version. The deposit fee for the Thrust version, which has thrusters that support acceleration, was announced as 250 thousand dollars. The company also introduced the Rocket version, equipped with additional thrusters, with a special demonstration.
Elon Musk did not announce the sales price of the car at the event. When Tesla introduced the Roadster for the first time in 2017, it announced its starting price as 200 thousand dollars. The final sales price of the new model is not yet clear.
INSPIRED BY WAR PLANES IN ITS DESIGN
The design of the new Roadster differs from the prototype that Tesla introduced in 2017. With its sharp lines and wedge-shaped body, the car reminds us of the Lamborghini and Lotus models of the 1980s.
Tesla announced that the design was inspired by the US-produced SR-71 and F-35 fighter jets. However, it is not yet known whether there will be changes in the design and equipment of the production model.
DELIVERIES POSTPONED TO 2028
