Roadster's Potential Performance of Tesla on the Highway Leaves Question Marks
The Tesla Roadster, the successor to the company's first electric car, continues to be a source of excitement and anticipation. Despite initial plans for a 2020 release, the vehicle is still in development, with Tesla focusing on other models and facing supply chain challenges.
According to Lars Moravy, Tesla's vehicle development chief, work on the Roadster is ongoing. The car is expected to feature three electric motors and a unique aerodynamic system designed to create negative pressure for improved traction.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the new Roadster is its acceleration. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has reported a baseline 0-60 mph acceleration time of 1.9 seconds, with suggestions of even faster times possible. The vehicle is also expected to have an impressive range of 620 miles on a single charge, significantly more than Tesla's other models.
The Roadster's design seems to draw inspiration from James Bond vehicles, with the main thruster located behind the license plate. To accelerate, the license plate will lower, revealing a rocket engine. The car will also feature compressed air at high pressure as a cold gas thruster, as revealed by Musk in 2020.
The Roadster's aerodynamic system includes four fans with adjustable wings and extendable skirts. Musk has yet to clarify how the thruster system relates to the recently filed patent.
Pre-orders for the new Roadster are being taken, with an initial payment of 4,000 euros, followed by another 39,000 euros within ten days. The estimated cost of the Roadster in the U.S. is around $200,000 (approximately €171,600) before taxes, but no official European price has been announced yet.
Elon Musk has promised an "absolutely epic demonstration" for the Roadster this year, hinting at the car's potential performance capabilities. The most powerful version of the new Roadster will feature thrusters from SpaceX, further adding to the vehicle's allure.
As of July 2022, the Tesla Roadster is still in development with very promising performance targets, but the vehicle is not yet on the market, and the company's roadmap lacks confirmation of an imminent release date. Subsequent updates suggest that Tesla is actively refining the design and performance goals, aiming to make the Roadster a flagship that outperforms current Tesla models such as the Model S Plaid.
