Tesla Roadster: three versions and fortunately only one that flies!

Performance, Thrust or Rocket: Tesla presents its new Roadster in three degrees of madness. While the flying version attracts all eyes, the one that charms us the most keeps its wheels on the ground. Well, that’s the principle.

Rest assured: not all owners of the new Tesla Roadster will be able to take off. Imagine the chaos if everyone could jump over a traffic jam! Between improvised landings and new priorities, our intersections would quickly need a control tower.

Tesla plans three configurations. The Performance is the first stage of this quirky rocket. Two seats, active aerodynamics, and a multimode aspiration system: even without thrusters, the setup already exceeds that of an ordinary sports car. Marketed as roadworthy, it leaves aerial maneuvers to its bigger sibling.

Not a Clean Rocket

The Rocket, precisely, combines features and adds the flight system. Its thrusters distributed around the body allow for vertical movements and rotations. Only one seat is planned: to share the excitement, you’ll have to recount it later. Available only by invitation, this version is not street-legal, Tesla specifies. Takeoff at a red light will have to wait.

In between, the Thrust is frankly more appealing. It keeps two seats, retains the aspiration and active aerodynamics, and adds acceleration thrusters at the rear. Tesla announces a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in less than a second. This limited version is presented as track-oriented.

Here’s an extravagance that appeals to our automotive sensibility: thrusters to accelerate, rather than to play helicopters. Honestly, it’s this Thrust that we would choose. Even though staying close to the pavement certainly doesn’t make the experience reasonable! With such acceleration, danger does not disappear: it simply remains at bumper height.

As for the passenger, they will at least have one certainty: their next scream will arrive too late.

ALSO READ: Tesla Roadster: it flies, but its promises are shrinking!

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