Tesla’s Flying Roadster Raises the Stakes in the Global Auto Race

Tesla’s new Roadster, announced with hypercar-level performance and a possible compressed-air propulsion system, aims to be more than an electric sports car. The idea of briefly lifting off the ground remains futuristic, however, and is not a market-ready feature.

For Tesla, its main value is strategic: showing that electric cars can compete in excitement and outright performance. The challenge now involves traditional automakers, technology companies and startups alike, in a global race where image, software and innovation matter as much as sales figures.