TECHNOLOGY · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Tesla Revives Roadster with Decades-Old Stunt Technology
WHY IT MATTERS
Tesla's use of stunt technology in its new Roadster raises questions about the safety and regulatory compliance of the vehicle.
What happened
Tesla is attempting to revive the Roadster, nine years after its initial attempt. The new model features angular, wedge-shaped styling reminiscent of the Lotus Esprit and Lamborghini Gallardo.
A notable design element is the presence of four giant exhaust pipes, which emit 100,000 psi jets of compressed nitrogen. This technology is typically associated with stunt vehicles.
The legality of using such a system on public roads remains unclear, as it is not explicitly addressed in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Statutes. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has returned to California's showbiz industry to showcase the new Roadster, which promises to be unlike anything else on the market.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Tesla turns to 50-year-old stunt technology as it tries to Roadster again
Ars Technica · Jonathan M. Gitlin · Discovery only; Condé Nast copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Oct 16, 2026, 4:00 PM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Oct 16, 2026, 4:00 PM