The new Roadster marks a significant departure from Tesla’s previous design language, adopting an angular aesthetic inspired by the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft and the Lotus Esprit seen in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy confirmed the car integrates 10 thrusters powered by 600 liters of compressed air stored in carbon fiber vessels packed throughout the vehicle's frame. This hardware enables a sub-one-second acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour.
In section Startups & Technology
Tesla Unveils SpaceX-Powered Roadster Capable of Flight
Outside Waco, Texas, Elon Musk debuted a redesigned second-generation Tesla Roadster that utilizes cold-gas thrusters to perform aerial maneuvers. The vehicle, which Tesla claims will reach production by 2028, demonstrated the ability to drive up inverted ramps and hover over other cars using technology derived from SpaceX aerospace engineering.
Tesla is currently accepting reservations for three distinct trims, with deposits reaching $250,000 for the race-ready "Thrust" model, while the top-tier "Rocket" version remains invite-only. Despite the demonstration, the project has faced nearly a decade of delays since its initial 2017 announcement. Musk, who previously acknowledged that safety is not the primary objective for this vehicle, suggested the company might even attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon. While the announcement generated significant spectacle, industry observers remain skeptical about the ambitious 2028 delivery timeline given the car's complex engineering requirements.
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