Science & Technology

New Tesla Roadster can 'fly' like the DeLorean

By T.K. Randall
January 12, 2019

Image: Elon Musk at the SpaceX CRS-8 post-launch press conference
Credit: Kim Shiflett / (PD) NASA Due to go in to production in 2020, Tesla's latest Roadster model will be so advanced that it will reportedly be capable of hovering above the road much like the DeLorean in Back to the Future.

The cutting-edge feature will be available as part of the "SpaceX addon package" which equips the $200,000 vehicle with thrusters to help with cornering and breaking at high speeds.

Last week, CEO Elon Musk Tweeted an animation of the DeLorean hovering in the air alongside the caption - "The new Roadster will actually do something like this."When asked if he was joking, he added - "I'm not. Will use SpaceX cold gas thruster system with ultra high pressure air in a composite over-wrapped pressure vessel in place of the 2 rear seats."

"You can basically accelerate at the limit of human endurance."

When someone later asked him if the car will be capable of covering a quarter of a mile in less than eight seconds, Musk replied - "No problem... Vertically or horizontally ?"

Whether the new Roadster really will be able to fly as he claims however remains to be seen.

Source: CNBC

Tags: Tesla, Roadster, Back to the Future