Rocket thrusters and a kickflip: Tesla unveils radical new Roadster

TESLA has unveiled its long-awaited second-generation Roadster at a SpaceX facility, during a livestreamed event hosted by chief executive Elon Musk.

The latest version arrives more than two decades after the original Roadster and nine years after Tesla first presented the second-generation concept.

While the original concept reflected Tesla’s earlier design language, the latest iteration appears to draw inspiration from the Cybertruck’s angular styling.

Beyond its redesigned exterior, one of the Roadster’s most notable features is a propulsion system involving rocket thrusters, which Musk claims can improve traction and performance.

During the presentation, the Roadster demonstrated an acceleration time of 0-100 km/h in just 0.8 seconds, although the figure has yet to be independently verified.

Musk also made bold claims about the system’s capabilities, saying it would enable the Roadster to surpass existing circuit records.

While fan-based systems that generate downforce through ground effect are already used in performance vehicles, Tesla’s proposed thrusters are also claimed to be capable of lifting the Roadster into the air.

The livestream featured a demonstration in which the car appeared to perform a kickflip over Tesla’s electric semi-truck.

Tesla has yet to disclose the new Roadster’s full technical specifications, including details of its powertrain. However, Musk described it as “the last good driver’s car”.

A tri-motor configuration is a possibility, potentially working alongside the rocket-thruster system to deliver exceptional performance, although Tesla has yet to confirm the arrangement.

Musk also confirmed that the Roadster will use steer-by-wire technology, which replaces the conventional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels with an electronic control system.