Flying Tesla Introduced: Here are all the features of the new Tesla Roadster, which goes from 0 to 100 in under 1 second

The electric car world has undergone a massive transformation since 2017. Since the days when the Tesla Roadster was first announced, models such as Rimac Nevera, Porsche Taycan and even Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, produced by a smartphone manufacturer, have broken speed and track records. Even Chinese BYD pushed the limits with its bouncy suspension systems. This path that Tesla once opened is now quite crowded.

However, Elon Musk is determined to take back his claim of being the "fastest and most extraordinary car in the world". The launch of the new generation Tesla Roadster witnessed one of the craziest shows in automotive history. The vehicle, which went onto the track unmanned, flew off the ramp, did a "kickflip" in the air, disappeared in just seconds and drove in the opposite direction.

The new Roadster, which Musk describes as "This is not just a car, it is a spaceship on wheels," features SpaceX technologies that have never been seen before in the automotive industry.

ROCKET BLOWERS AND FLIGHT MODE: SPACEX PACK

The most talked about feature of the vehicle is undoubtedly its "ability to fly". Tesla will offer the vehicle in three different trim levels: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.

The single-seat "Rocket" version, which can only be purchased by special invitation and is prohibited from being used on public roads, features SpaceX-supported "cold gas thrusters". These rockets, placed around and under the vehicle, provide incredible steering force to the vehicle by storing high-pressure air. Thanks to these thrusters, the vehicle can take off in short distances, roll over in the air, and keep the vehicle inside the bend by providing lateral thrust at the point where the tires end.

0-100 KM/H ACCELERATION: ONLY 0.59 SECONDS!

While reaching 0 to 100 km/h in under 2 seconds is considered an engineering marvel in the automotive world, the rocket-powered version of the Roadster achieved this in 0.81 seconds (live test data). Tesla claims that this time will drop below 0.59 seconds in the top hardware.

The thrusters at the back of the vehicle produce a force of 80 kilo-Newtons (kN) and launch the vehicle forward like a bullet, accompanied by a huge gas cloud. Where the laws of physics and tire grip limits end, rocket power comes into play.

VACUUM TECHNOLOGY

Another incredible technology of the Roadster is the "fan car" system that we see in track monsters such as McMurtry Spierling. This technology, which Tesla calls "multi-mode suction system", vacuums the air under the vehicle and sticks the car to the ground.

The vehicle, which is expected to weigh less than 2,000 kilograms, creates a huge downforce of 4,700 kilograms thanks to this vacuum system. This allows the vehicle to turn without leaving the road and even drive upside down on the roof, relying on an incredible G force (2G and above) in bends.

1000 KM RANGE WAS GIVEN UP

At the first launch in 2017, Elon Musk announced that the Roadster would have a range of 1000 km. However, the laws of physics require huge and heavy batteries for a huge range. With the new launch, it was understood that Tesla gave up on this ambition and reduced the range to "500 km" in order to make the vehicle lighter.

Relying on rocket thrusters and active aerodynamic features, Tesla engineers chose to shrink the battery and maximize cornering ability and acceleration instead of making the vehicle heavier.

CAN IT BE USED ON PUBLIC ROADS?

Although Elon Musk's show offers a visual feast, there are big question marks in mind. Huge high-pressure air gushing from the rear of the vehicle and flying tire particles can turn the vehicle into a deadly weapon for other vehicles and pedestrians in traffic.

In addition, the G force created by acrobatic movements in the air and accelerations under 1 second poses a risk of fainting for the average person. To withstand these forces, for which fighter pilots have trained for years, Roadster drivers may need to wear special G-suits. For this reason, it is stated that the rocket version can only be used on closed runways.

This new generation monster of Tesla, with its active rear wing (aerodynamic efficiency) and Mach 0.5 (approximately 610 km/h) speed claims, opens the door to a brand new era, not only in the electric car world, but also at the intersection of aviation and space technologies and automotive. Now the biggest curiosity is when Musk will put this spaceship into mass production.