À l'envers, dans les airs et au-dessus de 5 Tesla: Qu'est-ce qui a propulsé le nouveau Roadster ?

Elon Musk unveiled what Tesla describes as a "flying car" during a demonstration at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas. The event showcased the next-generation Roadster, a two-seat electric sports car equipped with cold-gas thrusters and a suction system. Musk demonstrated the vehicle's ability to drive upside down along a curved ramp, lift off, rotate mid-air, and land using the thrusters. The demonstration included a maneuver where the car flipped in the air and landed on its wheels. Musk shared a post on X, stating, "My OG Roadster is still orbiting Mars and Earth," referencing the original Roadster sent into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in 2018. Tesla highlighted the transition from "Roadster in a rocket" to "rocket in a Roadster" in a post juxtaposing images of the original and new models. Meta AI head Alexandr Wang responded humorously to the demonstration, questioning who was driving the Tesla in the stunt video. His edited video featured an animated character likely representing Meta’s Muse sitting at the steering wheel. Wang’s comment drew attention to the novelty of the demonstration, emphasizing the unusual nature of the stunt. Tesla stated that the new Roadster will use 10 nozzles and ultra-high-pressure air tanks to propel itself both in the air and on the ground. Musk described the technology as the result of collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, the world's best car and rocket companies. Production of the Roadster is expected to begin in 2028, nearly a decade after the vehicle was first announced. The demonstration displayed the Roadster's capability to perform short airborne maneuvers, including jumping over other vehicles. However, it did not confirm the car's ability to sustain flight over long distances. Practical questions remain about the vehicle's maximum flight altitude, distance, production specifications, and final selling price. Tesla has not provided independently verified data on these aspects. The Roadster combines electric vehicle technology with a system developed in collaboration with SpaceX. Key features include a suction system allowing the car to travel upside down along a specially designed ramp and cold-gas thrusters that assist in lifting, rotating, and stabilizing the vehicle during brief airborne maneuvers. Tesla described the suction mechanism as a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing system that generates downforce. Active aerodynamics and adjustable suspension are also part of the vehicle's design. The demonstration showed the Roadster accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second, a claim yet to be validated in a production model. The car's performance is attributed to the thruster system, which generates four to five times the force compared to traditional tire grip. Tesla emphasized that the Roadster is a "true pilot's car" with advanced aerodynamics and thruster technology. The technology behind the Roadster's maneuvers involves compressed air and high-pressure gas, utilizing Newton’s third law of motion. The system expels pressurized gas through nozzles to generate thrust, enabling the car to lift off, rotate, and stabilize. Unlike conventional rocket engines, the thrusters operate without combustion, simplifying the system but requiring specialized tanks and valves. The compressed air can be replenished using an onboard compressor, though the practical performance and endurance of the system remain unverified. Despite the impressive demonstration, the Roadster does not meet the criteria of a conventional flying car, as it lacks the capability for sustained flight. Engineering challenges related to stability, energy consumption, noise, safety, and thruster reliability remain unresolved. Tesla aims to begin production in 2028, but the final capabilities of the production vehicle are yet to be confirmed.