Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has officially unveiled the awaited Roadster high-performance vehicle, showing off the car’s hovering capabilities powered by thrusters from Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX).
Elon Musk Says Future ‘Does Have Flying Cars’
In a post on the social media platform X following the Roadster debut event, Musk shared a clip of the vehicle launching itself over a row of Tesla’s Cybercab, Cybertruck, the Semi, the Model 3 and the Model Y.
The clip showcased the Roadster’s thrusters making the car do a ‘barrel roll’ mid-air like an aircraft. “Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk said in the post.
Influencer and Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt also shared a clip from the Roadster event, which showcased the car climbing up a 90-degree road before it was upside down at the top and flew off the ramp, doing a barrel roll mid-flight, with the thrusters helping to stabilize the car’s landing.
The Roadster features an angular design, which is not as aggressively futuristic as the Cybertruck. The reveal car features an aerospace-inspired ‘Ano White’ finish, gold-tinted glass and a white interior with a touchscreen infotainment system in the center.
Three Trim Levels, Limited Release Vehicle
The Roadster, according to Tesla’s official website, is available in three trim levels: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. The Performance trim is the base trim with the multi-mode suction system and active aero. It does not feature cold-gas thrusters.
Tesla’s U.S. reservation page requires a $50,000 reservation payment for the Performance version, consisting of $5,000 upfront and another $45,000 within 10 days.
On the other hand, Tesla says that the Thrust trim, which will be a limited release, will feature seating for two and its multi-mode suction system paired with cold-gas thrusters that result in an under-1-second 0-60 mph time.
The Rocket trim is currently not approved for public-road use and will feature seating for one and have cold-gas thrusters in the periphery of the vehicle to support “forward” and “upward acceleration” as well as “lateral rotational movement.” Tesla says that the trim will also feature the multi-mode suction system and is invite-only.
Multi-mode Suction, Steer-By-Wire
The multi-mode suction system, according to the automaker, is a “downforce generator” that pulls air out from beneath the vehicle, providing enough “suction to hold the vehicle upside down, even when stationary.”
CEO Musk, during the launch event, said that the Roadster will enter production in 2028. Tesla also said that the car will feature a range of more than 300 miles and a redesigned steer-by-wire system with a steering yoke.
Tesla also said that the thrusters work with electric actuators and complete “micro adjustments within a fraction of a second” to help stabilize the vehicle in flight.
Price Action: TSLA shares were up 2.93% to $373.06 during overnight trading on Thursday.
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Photo courtesy: Rokas Tenys on Shutterstock.com
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