Tesla demonstrated the next-gen Roadster utilizing a multi-mode fan and ground sealing system to generate up to 2 gs of downforce, enabling stunts like hanging upside down.
Read on to explore the engineering mechanics behind active downforce generation and industry reactions.
Elon Musk said the Roadster will go into production in 2028, and reservations are already open. Reservations for the base model cost $50.000, while the Thrust special edition costs $250.000.
McMurtry Automotive's response
Following the presentation, McMurtry Automotive posted a video on Instagram of its own car, the Spéirling, hanging upside down from a platform. The vehicle uses technology based on two fans that suck air from the bottom to create strong traction.
The company revealed the final production version of the Spéirling Pure in July 2026. It will build a total of 100 vehicles with a starting price of $132.300, while the first deliveries to customers are expected before the end of the year.
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The history of fans in cars
The idea of using fans in racing cars dates back decades:
- Chaparral 2J (1970): Jim Hall and Hap Sharp entered the Can-Am championship with a prototype that featured a modified V8 engine, two fans from a military tank, and plastic guards to create powerful suction.
- Brabham BT46 (1978): A Formula One car designed by Gordon Murray for the 1978 season. It used a large rear fan connected to clutches and guards to remove air from under the car. The car competed only once, at the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix, and won the race.
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