Tesla Unveils Roadster Prototype With SpaceX-Style Thrusters
Tesla Unveils Roadster Prototype With SpaceX-Style Thrusters.
Tesla has demonstrated a next-generation Roadster prototype capable of performing controlled aerial stunts using technology derived from SpaceX, according to the company’s presentation at its Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas.
The demonstration featured the electric sports car driving up a curved ramp, travelling beneath an inverted overhang and completing a controlled barrel roll. The manoeuvres were carried out autonomously on a specially prepared, closed course. The vehicle is not being presented as a flying car for everyday travel.
Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy said the project aims to combine electric-car performance with aerospace technology. The prototype uses approximately 10 cold-gas thrusters, supplied by two compressed-air tanks, to provide bursts of thrust and control. Under-car fans create suction to help the vehicle grip steep or inverted surfaces, while an adjustable rear wing is designed to improve aerodynamic stability.
Moravy reportedly said the Roadster accelerated from zero to 60 miles per hour in 0.81 seconds during the event. Tesla has also set a target top speed of more than 230 miles per hour, with longer-term ambitions to approach half the speed of sound. These figures are company claims and have not been independently verified.
Tesla says production is planned for 2028, but the company has not announced a specific launch date. The timeline should be treated as a target, rather than a guarantee. The Roadster project has faced delays in the past, and the latest announcement does not confirm when customers will be able to buy the vehicle.
The prototype’s unusual capabilities also raise questions about safety and regulation. Experts and authorities would need to consider the risks of operating compressed-air propulsion systems, potential noise, and whether such a vehicle could meet road-safety requirements. Rules would vary across jurisdictions. The demonstration’s controlled setting also means it does not establish that the stunts could be performed safely on public roads.
Tesla’s presentation has drawn attention to the possibilities of applying aerospace engineering to high-performance vehicles. However, the company has not suggested that the Roadster can fly like an aircraft or serve as a practical means of air transport.
