Tesla’s new Roadster uses compressed air and fans to jump and drive upside down

Tesla revealed on Thursday in Texas a revamped edition of its electric sports car, the Roadster, in collaboration with SpaceX. The revamped model utilizes suction fans and compressed-air thrusters to navigate steep surfaces, drive upside down, and execute aerial stunts. Production is scheduled to commence in 2028. During a demonstration at SpaceX's testing facility in McGregor, the prototype showcased its abilities by ascending a ramp, transitioning to an inverted position, detaching from the ramp, and completing a spin before returning to the ground.

According to Tesla, the vehicle employs two distinct systems. Firstly, fans lower pressure beneath the chassis, allowing external air to push the car onto the track, generating up to 4,700 kilograms of downforce that bolsters grip even when stationary. Secondly, two carbon-fiber tanks containing 600 liters of compressed air feed ten nozzles, providing thrust for acceleration, jumps, and orientation adjustments, all without any combustion.

The Roadster can achieve a thrust of over 80 kilonewtons and accelerate from 0 to 97 kilometers per hour in just 0.81 seconds. Elon Musk, who unveiled the vehicle, remarked, "It can basically fly like a rocket. It can do flips, crazy gymnastics, whatever you want really." However, Musk cautioned that "this is not necessarily a car optimized for safety." The compressed air supply permits only short bursts of a few seconds, not continuous flight.

Tesla will offer three variants of the Roadster. The Performance and Thrust variant, a two-seater, is currently accepting reservations with deposits of $50,000 and $250,000 respectively. The Rocket variant, a single-seater with thrusters around the body, will be available upon invitation only and is not authorized for use on public roads.

The company has not disclosed a timeline for driver testing or how such maneuvers that lift the vehicle off the ground will be regulated by authorities. Elon Musk initially introduced the Roadster in 2017, with deliveries initially promised for 2020, which never materialized.