Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla, used his favorite platform, X.com (formerly known as Twitter), to announce a bold undertaking: the complete redesign of the Tesla Roadster in partnership with SpaceX, its other company focused on space exploration.
The Roadster’s initial launch, planned for 2020, has been delayed several times as Tesla has prioritized other projects such as the Model Y and Cybertruck, as well as expanding its production facilities. The Roadster, like the Semi electric truck, saw its entry into series production delayed compared to initial plans.
The first generation of the Roadster, introduced in 2006 and based on the Lotus Elise platform, marked the beginning of the electric era for Tesla with a 53 kWh battery offering viable daily autonomy. This new initiative with SpaceX demonstrates Musk’s desire to further push the limits of the performance of electric cars.
New ambitions
“ We decided to significantly raise the design ambitions for the new Tesla Roadster. Such a vehicle has never existed before, so much so that one might wonder if it is even a car », Said Elon Musk on X.
The statement sets the stage for a reveal planned for late 2024, with first deliveries of the vehicle expected in 2025. Musk promised game-changing performance capabilities, including 0-60 mph acceleration in less than ‘a second, surpassing the already high expectations set when the Roadster was first announced in 2017, which promised acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds and a top speed of over 400 km/h thanks to its three electric motors.
Rocket technology?
Tesla’s commitment to innovation in the luxury electric car segment is underlined by the promise of blazing acceleration for the next Roadster. The collaboration with SpaceX hints at the integration of advanced technologies into the vehicle’s design, although precise details on improvements and new features remain to be revealed during its presentation scheduled for the end of 2024.
In subsequent statements, Musk hinted that the presentation of the new Roadster could be ” the most impressive product demonstration ever “, fueling speculation about the incorporation of rocket technology and the vehicle’s ability to perform limited aerial movements. Obviously, the CEO responded with malicious responses.
Although we may be tempted to see in Elon Musk’s recent announcements a form of excessive optimism, that the Cybertruck, a project that many considered unrealizable, has finally left the production lines. If Tesla was able to make it happen, it is plausible that the company would also deliver on its promises regarding the new Roadster, which would allow it to once again redefine the standards of the electric automobile industry. However, two questions remain: will the price of this thunderous Roadster be more accessible than a rocket? Will the Roadster be sold with an anti-G suit to withstand the promised acceleration?
Source : Electrive
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