Tesla presented a flying Roadster car with rocket engines. Video

Tesla showcased the Roadster flying car with rocket thrusters. Video

Tesla presented a new generation of the electric sports car Roadster, which managed to lift off the ground during a demonstration thanks to special thrusters. In addition to the unusual technology, the manufacturer promises the car an acceleration to 97 kilometers per hour in about a second and a top speed of around 370 kilometers per hour. However, mass production has not yet started, and the final specifications of the model remain unknown.

The Roadster is expected to become one of Tesla's most unusual projects. The car received cold-gas thrusters, which, according to the company's plan, will allow controlling its position in the air. It was this technology that made the presentation notable: it is not just another electric sports car, but an attempt to push the capabilities of a road car beyond the usual boundaries.

However, the trick shown does not yet mean that the Roadster will be able to fly fully under normal conditions. Tesla has not disclosed all the details of the system's operation and has not confirmed that such capabilities will be available on production cars.

At the same time, the company is also betting on traditional sports car metrics. Elon Musk stated that the car would be able to accelerate to 60 miles per hour (about 97 kilometers per hour) in one second or faster. During the presentation, a result of 0.81 seconds was mentioned.

The top speed of the new Roadster was estimated at 230 miles per hour (about 370 kilometers per hour). For comparison, when the model was first presented in 2017, Tesla promised a speed of over 250 miles per hour (approximately 402 kilometers per hour). The manufacturer has not yet published the full list of specifications for the updated version.

The Roadster was also equipped with a system that takes air from under the underbody and creates additional downforce. As planned by Tesla, this should improve the car's grip on the road and its stability in turns.

Exterially, the Roadster retained the silhouette of a two-seater sports car, but received updated details: hidden headlights, a full-width rear light bar, and an automatically adjustable rear wing. Declared technical solutions also include steer-by-wire, in which commands from the steering wheel are transmitted to the wheels without a traditional mechanical connection.

Musk presented the first generation of the new Roadster back in 2017, but the release dates of the car were repeatedly postponed. Now Tesla expects to start production in 2028. The company also promises additional SpaceX technologies, but has not yet specified what exactly will be included in the car's equipment.

The price and final specifications of the production Roadster have not yet been announced.