Event and flying demonstration

The event opens at SpaceX's Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas, which is described as 4,000 acres. Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy welcome the audience after a Raptor static fire and note that the Roadster was introduced 20 years earlier as a proof of concept for electric vehicles. Elon Musk joins them, and the presenters explain that the car is technically autonomous for the demo, although it will be the only manually driven car Tesla makes in the long term. Lars Moravy describes a fan suction system that can pull up to two Gs, allowing the car to stick upside down. Musk says the car has attitude control thrusters and rear main thrusters, and that it can fly, roll and perform gymnastics. A dummy figure referred to as Starman is shown in the car. Musk adds that the car is not safety optimised, but it takes the fun meter to 11 out of 10, before a longer flight is attempted.

Roadster design and performance

The presenters describe the new Roadster as a two seater with lightweight construction, seats moulded into the chassis, and steer by wire controls for steering, brakes and throttle. They explain that the diffuser area contains thrusters and fans, and that the car has high downforce and low drag modes. The rear wing has variable pitch, and the system is said to help the car corner at greater than two Gs and accelerate beyond the usual 1.6 G limit. A live 0 to 60 mph run is shown. Musk says it is the world's quickest production car for 0 to 60, and that it will do a half a mile in the time that other cars can do a quarter mile.

Jump challenge and production

Musk and the presenters discuss a planned jump inspired by Evel Knievel's attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon. They say the car can go over 230 miles per hour and that a much higher speed may be needed, with a reference to Mach 0.5 or a little higher. Musk says the car will enter production in 2028, and the video ends with a further demonstration being prepared.