Tesla has revealed the second-generation Roadster, claiming it to be the world’s fastest-accelerating car – that is also capable of flying for short periods.
Unveiled almost nine years after first being announced, the new Roadster is a dramatically different prospect to the tri-motor electric hypercar that was first planned – and Tesla says nothing has been carried over from that concept. Headlining the changes is that it is not a traditional car but, with the optional ‘Thrust’ or ‘Rocket’ packages, it is fitted with cold-gas thrusters that are capable of propelling the car.
The ‘Thrust’ pack uses these to support the car’s forward acceleration, giving a 0-60mph time of 0.81sec (after a one-foot rollout) – while ‘Rocket’ also uses them to allow it to fly upwards. Tesla notes that the latter is not approved for road use.
It is also fitted with a fan that pulls the car to the road to improve grip, in similar fashion to the McMurtry Spéirling. Its rear wing is active, automatically adjusting its angle to provide optimal downforce for any particular driving scenario.
The company demonstrated the system by driving the Roadster at a line-up of its current vehicles, boosting it into the air – above the cab of the Semi lorry – and barrel rolling mid-flight, before landing on its wheels.
It is unclear how long the Roadster can fly for; whether it can sustain itself in the air for extended periods or just hover and perform tricks such as rolls and flips.
Specific technical details remain under wraps, having been overshadowed by the car’s ability to fly at its reveal event. Indeed, it appears much remains to be decided: Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the car is capable of 230mph but also that it should be able to hit “at least half the speed of sound” (383.5mph).
A cutaway image released by Tesla suggests it rides on motorsport-inspired pushrod dampers, mounted inboard of the wheels. The car’s structure is composed of magnesium, titanium and carbonfibre.
The new Roadster maintains a traditional Tesla skateboard chassis, with an underfloor battery pack. In standard form there are two rear-mounted electric motors, with power driving the rear wheels. While nothing has been confirmed by Tesla, reports suggest it will offer more than 1500bhp.
Visually, it is significantly different from the Roadster that had previously been shown by the company, with a vastly more brutalist, geometric look that is distinct from any other of its models. Reports suggest inspriration was taken from the 1976 Lotus Elise S1, as seen in The Spy Who Loved Me: a prop version of the car, which can transform into a submarine, is now owned by Musk and was on display at the launch.
Inside, it has a steering yoke that is connected to the wheels by-wire, dispensing with a traditional steering rack. By-wire systems are also used for the braking and accelerator.
Musk said production will begin in 2028 – “actually, for real” – though the model has long been delayed.
Prices have yet to be confirmed but the standard ‘Performance’ model, which is not fitted with the rocket-booster system, requires a £50,000 deposit.
Upgrading to ‘Thrust’, fitted with the boosters, requires a £250,000 deposit – suggesting a gulf in pricing so significant that it is effectively a completely distinct car from the regular Roadster.
The ‘Rocket’, capable of flying, will be sold by invitation only, and there is no concrete indication of how widely this may be offered nor at what cost. This version is also not approved for road use, according to Tesla.
The launch event was held in Texas, US, at the Rocket Development and Test facility of Musk's SpaceX company, and technology developed by that firm will undoubtedly be used for the Roadster's rockets.