Tesla’s long-awaited Roadster made a high-flying entrance.
Nearly a decade after unveiling the next-generation Roadster as a prototype in 2017, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company showcased a new version that Tesla says can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second and even leave the ground. The demonstration marked the company’s biggest update on the project in years.
During an event at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday, Tesla demonstrated the car’s compressed-air thruster technology by launching the Roadster off a giant curved ramp. Videos released by the company showed the vehicle performing a midair flip, landing safely and clearing a line of vehicles and a semi-truck.
The Roadster features a SpaceX-inspired thruster system that Tesla says can generate four to five times more force than a vehicle’s tires alone. Musk said certain versions of the vehicle will be capable of reaching speeds of more than 230 mph.
“Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk said during the event.
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy was even more direct: “Flying cars are real.”
Tesla announced reservation details for several versions of the Roadster. The company’s website lists a $50,000 reservation payment for the Performance model and a $250,000 reservation payment for the Thrust version, which includes acceleration thrusters.
Tesla executives said production is expected to begin in 2028.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
