Reliance responds to Elon Musk’s allegations, says it welcomes competition

Elon Musk showcased Tesla's newest and potentially most ambitious project, the Tesla Roadster, to an audience gathered online. The electric vehicle maker's CEO explained that the Roadster, unlike other models, is manually driven and needed an audience to prove its authenticity. Musk invited observers to witness the car's capabilities firsthand, emphasizing that what one sees with their own eyes is often astonishing.

During a dramatic demonstration, the Roadster traveled up a steep, curved ramp, upside-down, and then launched off the end, flipping mid-air before landing safely. Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, explained that the car achieves this feat using a fan suction system on its underside, capable of generating up to 2 Gs to keep it grounded when needed.

Moravy also revealed that Tesla borrowed technology from SpaceX to enable the Roadster's ability to fly like a rocket. The vehicle features altitude control thrusters and rear main thrusters, allowing it to perform stunts such as rolls and flips. Musk joked that the Roadster is not optimized for safety but offers thrilling experiences.

A second demonstration put the Roadster's claims to the test. The car drove up to a line of other Tesla vehicles before firing into the air, executing a kickflip over them. Tesla's website highlights that reservations for the Roadster are now open, with three variants available: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Rocket variant is marked as an invite-only model. The Roadster boasts a range of over 300 miles and a top speed of more than 230 mph, with the Rocket version reaching even higher speeds.