Key Takeaway:
The Roadster’s presentation had such an impact on the market that Tesla’s shares jumped 4.8% in the pre-market, adding $80 billion to the company’s value.
The demo focused on the vehicle’s capabilities, including driving upside down along a curved wall, jumping over cars, and highlighting the suction cups on the tires and the air thrusters, which Tesla has obtained from SpaceX.
The car has incredible power, noting that with the thrusters, a Rocket version of the Roadster can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than a second, and the Rocket’s description suggests that it can fly.
The Roadster concept is still years away from production, and it is unclear what the final pricing will be. Tesla expects to have the car ready for customers by 2028, and it will probably be available in three variants, Standard, Thruster, and Rocket, which will only be available to those on a waiting list. Interestingly, the Roadster, only seats two people, whereas Ben Rose anticipated four seats.
Investors were most interested in discussing Tesla’s strategy toward its humanoid robots and robotaxis, which use artificial intelligence. The Roadster collaboration strengthens the relationship between Tesla and SpaceX, and there is a possibility that investors will speculate on the potential merger of the two companies.
Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster, but Production Is Still Two Years Away
After nine years and a fair number of customer deposits, Tesla has unveiled its second-generation Roadster. On Thursday, at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, the car was driven up a winding ramp, landed on the ground, then hopped over five Tesla sedans and performed a twisting maneuver at the end of the show.
Customers will have to wait a few more years. Production is scheduled to begin in 2028, Mr. Musk said, adding that Tesla had yet to announce a price for the roadster. When asked whether the vehicle would be street legal, Mr. Musk said that he would have to ask the street.
There were two options on Tesla’s website, called “Augments.” The “Thrust” package is intended to be a limited run, Elon said, and would provide the “fastest acceleration.” The “Rocket” package, which is invitation-only, “has actual flight,” Elon said. “It is a one-seat rocket. But it is not street legal.” Neither package had a price.
“No one was in the car during the stunts,” Lars Moravy Tesla engineering vice president said, noting that a fan system sucked air from the rear of the car to create downforce, while thrusters shot out compressed air to allow the jumps. With the thrusters on full, the manufacturer claims, the roadster could accelerate to 60 miles per hour in one second and have a top speed of more than 230 mph.