Briefly: WIRED spoke with people who put down large sums of money for the new Tesla Roadster. In October, the company showed a prototype powered by a compressed air system lifting off the ground for a few seconds. According to the article, it takes six to seven hours to restore the pressure reserve. After the show, some buyers increased their bookings. The base version can be reserved for $50,000, the Thrust option requires a $250,000 down payment, and the Roadster Rocket is listed as available by invitation only. There is no final purchase price. Tesla is talking about starting production in 2028, but the delivery date remains unclear.
Why "flying car" headlines are misleading: A second's jump on a prepared pad does not indicate the ability to take off safely, be controlled in the air, or regularly transport people. The system requires a lot of time to re-train, and for the Rocket version, Elon Musk himself does not promise access to regular roads. The WIRED article precisely describes the enthusiasm of fans and details the restrictions; The problem arises when retelling the demonstration as a ready-made transport breakthrough. The reservation fee does not equal the purchase, and the stated year of production does not guarantee the delivery of cars to customers. History should be assessed based on testing of a production sample, understandable price, operating conditions and actual deliveries. So far this is a spectacular experience and an expensive wait.