[Young journalist Jion Choi] Tesla presented the new sports car model ‘Roadster’, whose release had been postponed for around 9 years. It uses gas thrusters to fly over 5 cars or flip in mid-air, demonstrating driving performance that defies conventional ideas about cars.

Tesla held the new Roadster model demonstration event at the SpaceX testing facility in McGregor on the 15th (local time). Elon Musk, Tesla Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Franz von Holzhausen senior designer attended the event. The Roadster shown that day is a 2-seater sports car equipped with gas thrusters.

Roadster is a symbolic model that marked the start of Tesla. It is the first car Tesla ever sold in 2008, as well as an electric sports car. Therefore, Musk, the CEO, has also shown incomparable affection for Roadster. Later in 2018, he sent the Roadster he actually drove into space on a SpaceX rocket. That car is currently orbiting around the Sun.

Before the demonstration, the CEO said, “Although success is not guaranteed, I guarantee you engagement 100% .” The actual demo ended without any accidents or technical issues.

Roadster initially climbed up along the circular track that rises into the sky like a roller coaster. It flipped in the middle of the track, landing on the road stably by operating its thrusters.

In the continuing demo, it jumped across 5 vehicles, including a large truck. Roadster, which rapidly drove toward the cars, flew up into the air with gases being emitted, landing on the opposite side after crossing all the obstacles.

It was because of the thrusters equipped in the car that Roadster could leap into the air. The car have thrusters that adjust its posture in mid-air and another main thruster at the rear. Musk explained that using the thrusters, the car can also fly like a rocket.

Tesla and SpaceX engineers participated in the development process. Musk, the CEO, explained that he collaborated with engineers from both companies to create a vehicle that he had never even seen in movies, saying that it was his goal to create one that transcends James Bond’s car.

Roadster is also supplied with a suction system that keeps it closely attached to the road. This means  the car is designed with enough suction power to remain firmly attached to the road even when accelerating through corners at high speeds.

The acceleration function also drew attention. Roadster recorded 0.81 seconds to reach 60 mph (approximately 97 km/h) from a stationary state. Musk achieved his acceleration goal of less than 1 second that he suggested in the past.

The top speed is over 230 mph (approximately 370 km/h). Musk also estimates that it will be possible to achieve speeds above Mach 0.5, half the speed of sound, in the future. Tesla also revealed the car's rear spoiler rising up and transforming into a form suitable for high-speed driving.

However, it remains uncertain whether all these functions can be used on public roads. Musk also stated that he was not sure whether the new Roadster would be legally allowed to drive on all roads.

The demonstration on that day was conducted in an autonomous driving mode without a driver on board for safety reasons. The actual vehicle to be sold will be released in a form that allows people to drive it themselves. Musk, the CEO, announced that in the long term, Roadster would become the only manually driven vehicle produced by Tesla.

Attention is now shifting to the actual release date. Musk stated that mass production of the new Roadster will begin in 2028.

▶원문 기사: 테슬라 로드스터, 진짜 날았다 (이코노미스트, 2026. 10. 16)

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