Elon Musk has made several remarks by coming up with apparently crazy statements that later prove to be true, and now we have got a new one. Musk has confirmed that the next Roadster model has "optional rocket motors", reports Electrek.
When Musk first announced the announcement a few days ago, many thought that the Tesla boss was joking, but in a series of Twitter messages, the details of the rocket concept are being deepened - which are in fact pressure vessels with air.
The equipment comes as an optional "Space X package" to Tesla Roadster and consists of 10 small devices that should be seamlessly placed around the car, Musk explains in a message. The purpose is to dramatically increase acceleration, top speed, braking and driving characteristics through tight turns.
Will replace the rear seats
As Musk explains in a separate Twitter message, it is a so-called composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) container. These are containers that contain high-pressure air that delivers extra sliding force when released.
The tanks are recharged with air again after use by means of pumps operated by the car's battery every time the car's power consumption allows the operation of the pumps, something Musk says is most of the time. According to the Tesla boss, the COPV containers to be used in Roadster are the most advanced ever, very robust and literally bullet proof.
However, the COPVs will take up a lot of space, and in another Twitter message, Musk says that Roadster will be a two-seater car if this option is chosen. That is, the COPVs will replace the rear seats in the car.
Tesla unveiled the new generation Roadster already last fall. The car should have a 200 kWh battery pack, ie twice as much as the largest Model S and X, and have a range of 1000 kilometers. It will pass zero to 60 miles per hour (96.5 km / h, not quite 0-100) in 1.9 seconds, 0-100 miles per hour (about 161 km / h) in 4.2 seconds and do away a quarter mile, around the rain 400 meters, in 8.9 seconds.
The price will start at $ 200,000, just over NOK 1.6 million. How much the COPV package will add to the price is uncertain, but the fun is probably not cheap. The production of the car is expected to start in 2020.