Tesla unveiled its long-anticipated Roadster on Thursday during a dramatic event in which the vehicle used compressed-air thrusters to fly off a ramp and perform a midair maneuver. The vehicle was seen flying, performing a midair flip and accelerating from zero to 60 mph in under a second.
"Turns out the future does have flying cars," Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk said at a Space X test site in Mc Gregor, Texas. Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy added, "Flying cars are real."
The showcase featured the new Roadster accelerating up a massive curved ramp and using a fan-based suction system to remain attached until it was completely upside down. It then used integrated cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with Space X to launch off the ramp, flip in midair and land safely. In another demonstration, the Roadster launched over a lineup of cars and a semi-truck before landing safely on the other side. Musk said certain versions can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than one second and reach a top speed of more than 230 mph.
Tesla executives announced that production would begin in 2028. Musk and other executives did not outline the cost at the event, but nearly a decade ago the company quoted a base price of $200,000. Tesla's reservation page now lists a $50,000 payment for the "Performance" version and a $250,000 payment for the "Thrust" version, which features "acceleration thrusters." An invite-only "Rocket" variant is a single-seat model with a "full flight system." When Tesla revealed a prototype in 2017, it said deliveries would begin in 2020.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing