Tesla unveils a new Roadster prototype featuring cold-gas thrusters for aerial maneuvers

Tesla has revealed a new Roadster prototype equipped with cold-gas thrusters, which the company demonstrated by performing vertical wall climbs, sustained hovering, and a jump over a semi-truck. The vehicle utilizes vacuum fans on its underside to maintain grip during vertical maneuvers and compressed air thrusters to achieve a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 0.81 seconds. While the demonstration showcased the car's unique capabilities, the thrusters are intended for short-duration bursts rather than sustained flight, and the vehicle is not currently approved for public road use. The company claims the production version will be available in two years, though critics note that the technology is currently limited to specific stunt applications. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has stated that the Roadster does not meet its definition of an aircraft, further complicating the prospects for its use as a flying vehicle. The project is being framed as an exploration of engineering limits rather than a practical consumer transportation solution.

The new Tesla Roadster prototype features cold-gas thrusters and vacuum fans to enable vertical wall driving and short-duration aerial hops. Tesla claims the vehicle can achieve a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 0.81 seconds using its compressed air thruster system.

The Federal Aviation Administration has clarified that the Roadster does not meet the regulatory definition of an aircraft. Critics have noted that the onboard compressed air tanks are only sufficient for short maneuvers rather than sustained flight.

The vehicle is not currently approved for use on public roads, and production is estimated to be at least two years away.