Tesla Borrows a 50-Year-Old Stunt Trick for the Roadster

Tesla is turning to a playbook that stunt crews have used for decades as it works to bring its long-delayed Roadster back into the spotlight. The approach relies on compressed gas, which can be released in controlled bursts to push a car into a spin while it is off the ground.

Compressed-air cannons and gas-powered rams have been used to flip and roll vehicles on cue for roughly half a century. Stunt teams value them because the force is predictable and the timing can be repeated. Translating that to a road car is a different problem. Any system has to fit inside a vehicle people drive every day, work safely and consistently, and avoid adding weight or cost that undercuts the car's performance pitch.

The Roadster has a long and winding development history, with launch targets that have slipped more than once since the car was first unveiled. That history means any new demonstration will draw attention from two groups: enthusiasts hoping the car finally delivers on its early promises, and skeptics who have heard those promises before. A dramatic in-air spin is a clear way to show what the hardware can do, but it will only settle the debate once the car is actually on sale.