Writer Clarence | by AfterPost | 16 October 26
Tesla can fly now. The company unveiled its new Roadster sports car Thursday Oct 15 at SpaceX McGregor Texas, which pulled off a backflip, barrel roll and kickflip over a fleet of Teslas. Elon Musk says Roadster equipped with compressed-gas thrusters that allow it to literally lift off ground. Claimed acceleration 0-100 km/h is just 0.81 seconds. It is real and livestreamed.
What happened:
Event delayed 2 weeks for high winds. Musk: "Well, it worked. Flying cars are real." Demo: Roadster drove up giant curved half-pipe ramp, stayed upside down via multi-mode suction fan system pulling air from beneath car generating 2G downforce, then fired thrusters, flipped 360°, landed.
Second demo - "kickflip": approached parked Cybertruck, Cybercab, Semi, Model Y, Model 3, shot into air with white supersonic plume shock diamonds, flipped over them, landed. No driver inside - remotely operated. Musk: "It can fly like a rocket, it can do rolls, crazy gymnastics."
Lars Moravy VP vehicle engineering: 2 tanks same as SpaceX rockets, 600L combined 250kg ultra-high-pressure air, refills itself no fuel: "It literally is going to puff itself up." 10 nozzles: 6 point down for flight, 4 rear for acceleration 80kN thrust. Car puffs air faster than speed of sound.
Live acceleration test: recorded clip 0-60 in 1 sec, live run 0.81 sec. Musk: "We anticipate doing better. We'll ride limit of don't detach retina." Production target 2028 - "for real" - 11 years after 2017 unveil.
Three versions:
- Performance: 2-seat, active aero, suction system, road ready. Reservation $50k - $5k upfront $45k in 10 days.- Thrust: 2-seat race ready, rear cold-gas thrusters sub 1 sec. $250k reservation.- Rocket: 1-seat air ready, full 10 thrusters forward/upward/rotational. Invite-only. Says "So yes, it can fly."
Specs per Tesla: 300+ miles range, top speed >230 mph claimed, steer-by-wire yoke, seats molded into chassis, magnesium titanium carbon fiber, retractable rear wing. Not approved for public road use yet. Website: "Not safety-optimized car" per Musk: "takes fun meter to 11."
Why it matters:
Original 2017 Roadster promised 1.9 sec 0-60, 620 mile range 200kWh. Now sub-1 sec goal cracked. Only manually driven Tesla long-term, halo to link Tesla-SpaceX before expected merger. Sundar Pichai: "FSD version will be something."
FAQ
Can Tesla Roadster really fly?
Yes short bursts. Cold-gas thrusters lift car few seconds, attitude control for rolls/flips. Not sustained flight like airplane. Rocket version limited hover.How fast 0-100 km/h?
Demo 0-60 mph 0.81 sec, Tesla claims Thrust version under 1 sec 0-100. Production aims beat 0.81.How much does it cost?
2017 targets $200k base $250k Founders. Now reservations $50k Performance, $250k Thrust. Final price not confirmed. Morningstar estimates 2k sales/year.Is it legal to drive?
Not yet. Musk admitted not necessarily legal in all jurisdictions. Rocket trim not road approved. Production intent 2028 pending FAA/NHTSA.Also read this: https://afterpostint.com/post/p-strong-ukraine-runs-out-of-patriot-missiles-cnn-reports-strong-p