The incredible flying Tesla Roadster is just for show
Last night, Elon Musk gave the people what they want: a car driving vertically up a multi-story ramp, launching off the edge, executing a mid-air "kickflip" over a lineup of Teslas, and landing via cold-gas thrusters. That's what the people want, right? "We were promised flying cars," sure, but isn't the operative word in that […]
Elon Musk presented a spectacle last night, showcasing a Tesla Roadster soaring vertically, flipping mid-air, and landing with cold-gas thrusters. While the event was undeniably impressive, it remains unclear if this is a step towards a viable, production-ready vehicle. The demonstration, held in Waco, Texas, featured a car equipped with 600 liters of compressed air and 10 directional cold-gas thruster nozzles, but it is only available for "invite only" use and will not be approved for public road use.
Tesla did not provide any commercial details such as pricing or battery range, and even downgraded the Roadster's estimated range from 600 miles to 300 miles. The project, which Tesla's CEO Musk describes as a "small potato," is expected to be finished by 2028, a significant delay for early adopters who have already placed $50,000 deposits.
Some analysts speculate that the Roadster's return could be a prelude to a rumored Tesla-SpaceX merger, potentially diluting Tesla shareholders' equity. While the event was a triumph in terms of public relations and social media buzz, it leaves Tesla far behind other competitors in the electric hypercar market.
Written by urgent.news from The Verge's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
