Tesla to Reveal Redesigned Roadster With SpaceX Thrusters Capable of Hovering

Tesla is preparing to reveal a radically redesigned Roadster hypercar. According to The Information, the presentation will showcase a special version of the vehicle featuring SpaceX compressed-gas thrusters capable of lifting off the ground and hovering in midair.

The demonstration is scheduled to take place at the SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas. During the showcase, the sports car will be operated remotely with no driver inside. Spectators will be kept at a safe distance of several hundred meters due to extreme volume and vibrations from the gas nozzles of the system, codenamed A71, which could cause hearing damage.

Engineering Changes and Initial Stunt Scenario

As reported by Electrek, Tesla originally considered an even more complex scenario: launching the Roadster along a special magnetic ramp, driving upside down across a section, flipping over, and then hovering using reactive thrust. Ultimately, the demonstration program was simplified to a vertical liftoff and hover.

The design of the production Roadster has also evolved compared to the 2017 concept: the company dropped Model S Plaid powertrain components and developed a two-seat body around an ultralight carbon-fiber monocoque with butterfly doors. The special version with SpaceX nozzles will not be street-legal and will be positioned as a track-only machine for an exclusive customer club, similar to the Ferrari XX program.