Tesla Roadster Air Thrusters Draw Comparisons to Ferrari Air Jet Patent

Tesla is catching global attention with tests of its new Roadster performing stunts without a driver using flight boosters. Tesla chief Elon Musk admitted he is not sure if this setup would be legal. Beyond the rocket-aided version, Tesla promises a Performance model with a ground effects fan and a Thrust version featuring air thrusters. This Thrust variant claims a zero to 100 kilometers per hour acceleration time of under one second.

Ferrari Patent

This concept of air-powered vehicle speed is not entirely new. Ferrari secured a US patent in 2018 for a gas thrust booster system. While the Tesla Roadster is all-electric, the Ferrari patent covers an internal combustion car with a compressed air tank and multiple horizontal and vertical nozzles. These nozzles create air jets for fast acceleration beyond normal engine and tire grip limits. Vertical nozzles add downward force for better road grip, while horizontal ones help with steering turn-in and provide correctional forces if the car loses grip. The Ferrari patent also covers use on a motorcycle.

Context

Ferrari has not put its air thruster system into production or confirmed ongoing development. This leaves open questions about whether Ferrari might assert rights or claims regarding the Tesla Roadster system.