Tesla has outlined several key performance targets for its next-generation Roadster, an electric sports car that was first introduced in prototype form nearly nine years ago.
Some of the proposed features of the Roadster include an underbody fan mechanism designed to increase traction and thrusters inspired by SpaceX technology. Tesla has also indicated that the Roadster will remain a driver-controlled vehicle, unlike many of its other products, which emphasize automated systems. Production of the car is scheduled to begin in 2028.
What Performance Figures Has Tesla Announced for the Roadster?
Tesla claims that the new Roadster will accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in less than one second. If this claim holds true for the production vehicle and the testing conditions are clearly defined, the Roadster could rank among the fastest-accelerating road vehicles.
Tesla has also stated that the Roadster is expected to challenge existing track records. However, details regarding lap times, top speed, engine-equivalent power output in bhp, and torque in Nm have not been provided.
How Will the Underbody Fan System Aid Cornering?
One of the proposed features of the Roadster is an air-suction fan system installed beneath the vehicle. According to Tesla, this system will draw the vehicle closer to the road surface by increasing the downward force exerted on the tyres.
Tesla claims that this system could enable the vehicle to achieve lateral acceleration of up to 2 G while cornering.
Will SpaceX Thrusters Be Part of the Tesla Roadster?
Tesla has identified thrusters based on SpaceX technology as another proposed feature of the new Roadster. Their inclusion would distinguish the vehicle from conventional electric sports cars, which primarily rely on electric motors, tyres, and aerodynamic design to deliver acceleration and handling performance.
However, no technical specifications have been provided regarding the thrusters or how the technology would be integrated into the Roadster. It also remains unclear whether this feature would be available in all versions of the car.
Will the Roadster Become Tesla’s Only Car Designed for Manual Driving?
According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Roadster may become the only model in the company’s lineup designed to prioritise manual driving.
This suggests that the Roadster will place greater emphasis on direct driver control. In other words, the vehicle could offer a different driving experience from Tesla’s other models, which place greater emphasis on automated driving capabilities.
However, the term manually driven does not necessarily mean that the vehicle will be devoid of driver-assistance systems. Tesla has not provided enough information to establish which driving and assistance features will be incorporated into the car.
Is the Roadster Capable of Flying?
Statements attributed to Tesla suggest that the Roadster could potentially have some form of flight capability. Nevertheless, it is not possible to determine whether the vehicle will actually be capable of doing this, as no technical details have been made available.
The proposed flying capability appears to be associated with the thruster system. However, this capability has not been demonstrated in the information available.
Therefore, these statements should not be interpreted as evidence that the production Roadster will function as an aircraft. Further technical information would be needed to establish the intended purpose and capabilities of the system.
When Will the Next-Generation Tesla Roadster Enter Production?
Tesla has stated that production of the next-generation Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028. This follows a development period of nearly nine years since the original prototype was unveiled.
However, the planned production date does not necessarily mean that customer deliveries will begin in the same year. Based on the information available for this article, Tesla has not confirmed the vehicle’s pricing, final production specifications, or delivery schedule.
The next-generation Tesla Roadster is scheduled to enter production in 2028. Further information regarding pricing, market availability, reservations, and customer deliveries has yet to be announced. Its proposed features, including rapid acceleration, an underbody fan system, and SpaceX-inspired technology, could help distinguish it from other electric sports cars.
