Bugatti’s Rimac suggests that Musk’s Tesla Roadster acceleration claim could be achieved using thrusters.

Elon Musk’s recent announcement on X about the upgraded goals for the highly-anticipated Tesla Roadster has sparked interest and discussion in the automotive industry. The new benchmark of accelerating from 0-60 mph in less than one second is a world record-setting target, leading to questions about its feasibility and potential design compromises from industry leaders like Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac.

Rimac, known for the Nevera electric sports car which currently holds the 0-60 mph acceleration record of 1.71 seconds, has acknowledged that achieving such record-breaking acceleration is technically possible with thrusters. However, he pointed out potential drawbacks such as carrying dead weight after the initial burst of acceleration due to the required equipment like tanks, compressors, valves, and nozzles.

While Musk didn’t provide details on how the Tesla Roadster would surpass Rimac’s record, he emphasized that acceleration is just one aspect of the vehicle’s performance. Tesla remains tight-lipped on further specifics about the Roadster’s capabilities. According to Tesla’s website, the previous acceleration figure for the Roadster was 1.9 seconds.

With production design now finalized, Tesla plans to unveil the second-generation Roadster by the end of the year, with shipping of production models set to begin in 2025. Musk expressed confidence in the Roadster’s potential to deliver an exceptional product demo, indicating his belief in its groundbreaking performance.

While Tesla has faced scrutiny over unmet promises in the past, Musk’s ambitious goals for the Tesla Roadster have ignited excitement and debate within the automotive community. The road to achieving the world record for acceleration will undoubtedly be an interesting journey for Tesla and the automotive industry as a whole.