Musk Offer’s New Details on Roadster’s SpaceX Package

The specs on the new version of the Tesla Roadster were hard to believe when the car was debuted – 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds and 620-miles of range? Wow.

And if that weren’t enough, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk later announced that a “SpaceX package” is planned, which would add cold air thrusters to the Roadster that would improve speed and handling.

Now Musk has offered a bit more insight on the SpaceX package. Don’t expect giant rocket boosters piled on top of the sports car. Instead, the features will be subtle with the rear thruster hidden behind the license plate.

Musk made the comment in response to a rendering posted to Twitter of the Roadster dressed up with a Back to the Future-inspired theme.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1150123074924118017

Tesla has said the new Roadster is scheduled to go to production in 2020.

The company is currently taking $50,000 deposits for the $200,000 base version. The company has not said how much the SpaceX package will cost.

Image: Login • Instagram

 

[Marcus 57]

WOW CAN'T WAIT

 

[Marcus 57]

The ultimate anticipation. This should be one of the best events EVER

 

[tstafford]

The ultimate anticipation. This should be one of the best events EVER

What event? Is there an announcement coming soon? Thanks!

 

[MichaelP90DL]

WHAT are "cold air thrusters"?

 

[selfbp]

WHAT are "cold air thrusters"?

Similar to the RCS thrusters on a rocket you see in space to maneuver the vehicle

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Similar to the RCS thrusters on a rocket you see in space to maneuver the vehicle

Oh. Cool. Will definitely come in handy when parallel parking.

 

[daniel]

April First was months ago, folks!

 

[Saghost]

WHAT are "cold air thrusters"?

A rocket that delivers thrust without combustion, fed by a compressed air tank.

Probably the only more or less safe way to make a car faster when it's already sitting on the friction limit on all four tires...

 

[daniel]

A rocket that delivers thrust without combustion, fed by a compressed air tank.

Probably the only more or less safe way to make a car faster when it's already sitting on the friction limit on all four tires...

But he said the thrusters are behind the license plate, which suggests that they're pointing to the sides for lateral control rather than pointing backwards for forward acceleration. Still sounds like a joke to me. The volume and velocity of the air needed make an actual difference would probably be a road hazard. These are used in space where there's zero resistance to acceleration, and they cause very minor adjustments.

I'm going on record as believing this is a joke.

 

[drtimhill]

Visions of dogs and little old ladies being blown all over the place as the car passes them by.

 

[CarlK]

But he said the thrusters are behind the license plate, which suggests that they're pointing to the sides for lateral control rather than pointing backwards for forward acceleration. Still sounds like a joke to me. The volume and velocity of the air needed make an actual difference would probably be a road hazard. These are used in space where there's zero resistance to acceleration, and they cause very minor adjustments.

I'm going on record as believing this is a joke.

It's no joke. You just don't use it on normal roads regardless of how it will or will not affect other people or cars. When was the last time you have the need to accelerate faster than 1.9 sec or go more than 250 mph? Like purpose of all supercars this is just for setting records on test tracks and give owners bragging rights.

 

[daniel]

When was the last time you have the need to accelerate faster than 1.9 sec or go more than 250 mph?

It'd be great for passing on narrow, winding roads. You'd need about 50 feet to get around somebody. As for needing, I never needed anything quicker than my 1989 Honda Civic. But I loved driving my Roadster, and even my plain RWD Model 3 jumps off the line faster than any car it's ever been next to at a stoplight. I will not be buying the New Roadster. When it comes right down to it, I like EAP a lot more than big torque.

Probably ten years ago I met a guy who had bought a BMW and then had an after-market engine put in it at enormous cost and bragged about how quick it was. Three or four years later Tesla was building cars that would make that BMW look like it was standing still. And even the Roadster I bought a few years later would have beaten his BMW off the line.

As for 250 mph, I think few of us could drive anything that fast without crashing. I'd be scared to drive 90 mph.

 

[Tam]

...road hazard...

I don't think these specs are for practical heavy traffic city driving but they are great in dry lake beds as shown below:

 

[Peteski]

I don't think these specs are for practical heavy traffic city driving but they are great in dry lake beds as shown below:

I bet that messed up his hair a bit!

 

[Spry]

Interesting. But wouldn't it be nice to get FSD before diverting resources away from it?

 

[CarlK]

I guess that's what Elon is. He could never settle for only one priority. That would be too boring for him.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Wait a sec. Will this Roadster have the f*art option? I suspect when you tap the whoopie cushion icon, suddenly you get the sound and the thrust. Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

But he said the thrusters are behind the license plate, which suggests that they're pointing to the sides for lateral control rather than pointing backwards for forward acceleration. Still sounds like a joke to me. The volume and velocity of the air needed make an actual difference would probably be a road hazard. These are used in space where there's zero resistance to acceleration, and they cause very minor adjustments.

I'm going on record as believing this is a joke.

Think about the size and weight for a big tank for compressed air or whatever, not to mention the pump to fill it. I agree. Seems like a joke to me.

 

[Kilotango74]

Dumbest crap ever.