Tesla’s next Roadster promises to be one of the fastest cars ever made. The electric supercar will feature cold air thrusters positioned around the vehicle’s perimeter, borrowed from SpaceX rocket technology. These aerospace-grade thrusters will help the car achieve better top speed, braking, and cornering capabilities that go beyond traditional automotive engineering.
The standard Roadster configuration can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds. It completes a quarter-mile in 8.8 seconds and reaches 100 mph in 4.2 seconds. The top speed exceeds 250 mph. With the SpaceX package option, Tesla claims the car could achieve 0-60 mph acceleration in less than one second, which would make it faster than any Formula 1 race car.
Tesla’s SpaceX package promises sub-one-second 0-60 mph acceleration, outpacing Formula 1 race cars.
The Roadster uses a tri-motor all-wheel drive system with one front motor and two rear motors. This setup produces between 1,020 and 1,200 horsepower, depending on the configuration. The wheel torque reaches 10,000 Nm, which equals 7,375 lb-ft. The dual rear motors enable torque vectoring during cornering, similar to the Tesla Model S Plaid’s motor arrangement.
Tesla engineers are working with SpaceX engineers to develop the propulsion system. They’re tackling challenges like fuel-to-weight ratio optimization and mass distribution. Tesla says the car will be street-legal and safe when used as recommended. The vehicle will receive over-the-air updates to continuously improve its performance capabilities and add new features after purchase.
The Roadster’s 200 kWh battery pack doubles the capacity of existing Tesla Model S and Model X batteries. It can travel 620 miles on a single charge at highway speeds. This range drops considerably during track driving and aggressive acceleration.
Inside, the Roadster has a 2+2 seating configuration with a removable glass roof panel. Franz von Holzhausen designed the vehicle with a minimalistic interior that includes carbon-fiber trim and a spaceship-themed steering yoke. The curved center console features a large portrait touchscreen display that controls most vehicle functions.
The Roadster’s starting price is approximately $200,000. The limited Founders Series version is expected to cost around $250,000. It’ll compete against electric supercars like the Rimac Nevera, which reaches 60 mph in 1.74 seconds, the Pininfarina Battista at 1.79 seconds, and the Aspark Owl at 1.72 seconds.