Comment by FabHK
2 days ago
There are three configurations:
- Performance: road ready, seats two, active aero and a “multi-mode suction system.” 0-60 mph in under 1.6 seconds. Available by reservation.
- Thrust: race ready, seats two, adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters. 0-60 mph in under 0.9 seconds. Limited release.
- Rocket: seats one, adds thrusters around the perimeter of the car for upward and rotational movement. 0-60 mph in under 0.59 seconds and a top speed of over 230 mph. Invite only.
Per Electrek: https://electrek.co/2026/10/15/tesla-unveils-cyberfied-new-r...
“Configurations”
Like any of this will materialise. Where’s the original Roadster people actually put down payments on?
The original roadster was Tesla's first car.
Obviously they mean v2, a design that apparently was thrown away.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(second_generat...
> every usable void in the car is packed with carbon-fiber overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) to store compressed gas
Hahah, the failure modes are going to be exciting.
When I heard "carbon-fiber" and "pressure vessel" in the same sentence I thought: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_submersible_implosion
This would be the opposite of that, though.
Does the thrust version not have suction too?
What is the suction useful for? The engineering blows my mind but why would someone use this? Does it help on turns?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downforce
Yes, and at high speed, it helps make sure you don't take flight accidentally.
When you don't have enough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e21ZjwZGjiQ
Tesla are calling this downforce but downforce is defined as downward force generated by the aerodynamic features of a car, which does not describe their system. Presumedly their “suction” system will also create drag.
2 replies →
It helps everywhere... turns and straights - it provides downforce without wings. Wings cause drag, that push the car down but also slow it down. So the car can be going slow and still get incredible grip. On the corners the car won't slide, so it can corner at much higher speeds too. For both these reasons, this suction system was banned by most racing leagues in the 70's for being too powerful.
It's for more traction. Not a road car, but this one does 0-100kph in just under 1s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQIu5tZ0vbQ
The rocket version is the real life bat-mobile to me. Impressive.