Zero rocket fuel. It uses compressed air. So, 10 seconds of flying, and hours of continuous running of compressors to fill up the tanks again for another 10 seconds.
Kyle Conner who runs the Out of Spec channel on YouTube (EV reviewer) showed the contraption they use to fill it and it legitimately looks like something they borrowed from SpaceX, it’s insane.
The only “practical” application I could envision would require Tesla to set up shop at drag strips around the world and offer services to fill the car for you before you do a run. And if it’s takes this wild multi-million dollar apparatus used for space purposes, there’s just no fucking way.
I could even get crazy and imagine them being used to stabilize the car during cornering. But again, the above problem still exists.
Even if you try to find a positive, there isn’t one.
It’s hard to imagine the weight ever being worth it. It’s not new tech, and nothing stopped anyone from using these type of thrusters before. I guess it took a new generation of gullible kids to come along and be amazed.
If the ones on the rear can actually help you do 0-60 in less than a second, I could see that being "worth it" for some. But the Sperling can do it in 1.4 seconds without thrusters. And a Corvette ZR1X can do it in 1.8 seconds without thrusters or a fan.
I don't think it's necessarily about the thrusters being new tech, but rather the tech was already in Elmo's portfolio from the other company he bought his way in to.
Either way, fuck Elon, fuck Tesla, and fuck this roadster that isn't a roadster.
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u/FailCapone 7h ago
They know this isn’t a car for them right? I’m guessing starting price would be in the millions if they ever produce it.
How much rocket fuel did it take for that single jump?
Would any insurance company touch it? I’d say you’d never get it made legal on the roads, but he’s got a president in his pocket so maybe.
How messed up will the average non-astronaut feel after a maneuver like that? Too nauseous to carry on driving right away I’m sure.