Tesla’s Next-Gen Roadster Defies Physics: Rocket Thrusters, Suction Fans, and a 0.81-Second 0-60 Time
After nearly a decade of anticipation, Elon Musk and Tesla have finally pulled the cover off the next-generation Tesla Roadster, and it looks less like a car and more like a street-legal spacecraft. Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the newly revealed electric supercar boasts mind-bending statistics, including a 0-60 mph time of under one second and the ability to “fly” using onboard rocket thrusters
. But amidst the sci-fi promises of upside-down driving and mid-air gymnastics, a crucial question remains: is the hype real, and does Tesla have any global competition in this ultra-extreme EV space?
The Rocket-Powered EV
The headline feature of the new Roadster is its staggering acceleration. During the recent live reveal event in Waco, Texas, a driverless Roadster reportedly clocked a 0-60 mph sprint in just 0.81 seconds
. To achieve this, Tesla has integrated cold-gas thrusters—similar to those used on SpaceX rockets—into the vehicle’s design
. These rear-mounted thrusters provide an explosive forward push that supplements the electric motors, effectively launching the car like a rocket. Furthermore, attitude control thrusters placed around the vehicle allow it to perform mid-air rolls and stabilize during “flights” over ramps.
Defying Gravity: The Suction Fan System
Perhaps the most mind-bending claim is the Roadster’s ability to corner so aggressively that it “looks like you’re breaking physics.” Tesla achieved this by installing a massive suction fan system underneath the chassis. By actively pulling air out from beneath the car, the system generates up to 2 Gs of downforce, effectively gluing the car to the track
. This suction is so powerful that Tesla demonstrated the Roadster driving completely upside down on a curved ramp. The car also features a variable-pitch rear wing and dual aerodynamic modes: a high-downforce mode for cornering and a low-drag mode for top-speed runs exceeding 230 mph.
Is the Hype Real?
Skeptics have long doubted Elon Musk’s timelines and extreme claims, but the recent live demonstrations suggest the core physics are very real. The 0.81-second 0-60 time was successfully executed live, proving that cold-gas thrusters can indeed supplement tire grip to achieve sub-one-second sprints
. The suction fan technology is also a proven concept in motorsport, previously utilized by Chaparral in the 1970s and recently perfected by modern hypercars. However, Musk was candid about the vehicle’s practicality, warning the crowd that the Roadster is “not necessarily a safety optimized car” but is instead designed to push the “fun meter to 11 out of 10.”
Will Normal Cars One Day Be Enabled for Flight Like Converting From Petrol To CNG ?
Are There Other Cars Like This in the World?
- The UK’s McMurtry Spéirling: Long before Tesla showed off its upside-down driving, the British startup McMurtry proved the concept with its Spéirling hypercar
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. The McMurtry uses twin rear-mounted ducted fans to generate over 2,000 kg of downforce at a standstill, allowing it to corner at astronomical speeds and shatter hillclimb and track records globally
. McMurtry even playfully reminded Tesla that they were the first to successfully drive a fan-car upside down
. - China’s BYD Yangwang U9: In the realm of active, physics-defying maneuvers, China’s BYD has created a serious contender with the Yangwang U9 electric supercar
. Instead of thrusters and fans, BYD utilizes its revolutionary “DiSus-X” intelligent body control system
. This hyper-active suspension allows the 1,287-horsepower U9 to literally jump off the ground to clear obstacles, dance to music, and even continue driving safely if it loses a wheel
.