Tesla launches flying Roadster concept car

Electric car company Tesla has unveiled its flying Roadster vehicle with a demonstration in which the car drove upside down, flipped off a ramp and briefly flew, using compressed-air thrusters that Tesla claims will make it the world’s quickest production car. The two-seat Roadster model drove up a half-pipe ramp and launched off the top, remaining in the air for a few seconds before landing during a live event. It also became airborne from the ground after building up speed on flat ground, launching over a row of parked vehicles – and from a stationary position. Tesla has unveiled its second-generation Roadster A series of thrusters in the bottom and back propelled the car into the air and cushioned the landing. It was designed by Tesla and SpaceX, both companies led by businessman Elon Musk, who called the second-generation Roadster "a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company". It has thrusters that use compressed air The thrusters can also fire rearward to boost acceleration. Tesla demonstrated the car reaching 60 miles per hour in a claimed 0.81 seconds, and said it would be the "quickest" production vehicle to 60 miles per hour. On the half-pipe ramp, the vehicle was able to remain upside down due to a fan suction system. The air tanks in the vehicle are rechargeable and can be recompressed without fuel, according to Tesla. The vehicle uses compressed air to take off and land Long term, Musk said the car will be the "only manual" vehicle in its lineup, referencing plans for driverless vehicles. Though the demonstration used a pre-programmed sequence with no driver. Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen said the car was designed with an "aerospace aesthetic". It has an angular supercar exterior with scissor doors and a deployable spoiler, and is a coupe with a hard top. The seats are moulded directly to the chassis, and it features wire steering, which replaces the mechanical link between the steering wheel and wheels with electronic controls. Musk referenced the uncertainty of street legality of the vehicle and said that "success is not guaranteed" before the test. The company gave it an "aerospace aesthetic" Production on the vehicle is set for 2028, according to Tesla. The company first unveiled a second-generation Roadster in 2017, with deliveries planned for 2020. Tesla's last major launch was the Cybertruck, unveiled in 2019. Other recent concept cars include Alef's concept vehicle. The imagery is courtesy of Tesla. Subscribe to our newsletters Your email address New! Dezeen Agenda US Sent on alternate Fridays, this US edition of Dezeen Agenda is a fortnightly newsletter rounding up everything you need to know from America, featuring news, projects and interviews with industry figures. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events. New! Dezeen Showroom New Releases A quarterly newsletter rounding up a selection of recently launched products by designers and studios, published on Dezeen Showroom. Dezeen Debate Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly, is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news. Dezeen Agenda Sent every Thursday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and invitations to Dezeen events. Dezeen Daily A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen. Dezeen In Depth Sent on the last Friday of every month, Dezeen in Depth features original feature articles, interviews and opinion pieces that delve deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design. Dezeen Jobs Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news. Dezeen Jobs Weekly Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news. Dezeen Awards News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates. Dezeen Events Guide News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events. Dezeen Awards China News about our Dezeen Awards China programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates. We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected]. For more details, please see our privacy notice. Thank you! You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.