GoKawiilTesla's Roadster fan-based downforce system echoes earlier designs from other automakers
Tesla showcased its next-generation Roadster performing a stunt where it hung upside down on a C-shaped ramp before flipping upright and landing safely. The company says this was achieved through a multi-mode fan and ground sealing system paired with a retractable rear wing, which together create downforce by pulling air from beneath the car. Tesla's approach is not unprecedented, as McMurtry Automotive's Spéirling already uses a similar two-fan suction system called Downforce-on-Demand, and other vehicles have used fan-based downforce before either car.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The demonstration highlights Tesla's continued use of theatrical unveilings to generate buzz for the Roadster, which has faced repeated production delays since its 2017 announcement. McMurtry's public acknowledgment suggests the broader automotive and motorsport engineering community views this fan-based technology as an established concept rather than a Tesla innovation, which could shape how the Roadster's technical claims are received. The comparison may also invite scrutiny over whether Tesla's marketing framing matches the novelty of the underlying engineering.
- Tesla demonstrated its next-gen Roadster hanging upside down and landing safely using fan-generated downforce.
- The system reportedly combines a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing setup with a retractable rear wing.
- McMurtry Automotive's Spéirling already uses similar fan-based suction technology, and other cars have done so previously.
Source: engadget.com — Mariella Moon, 2026-10-17
Published there as: “The Tesla Roadster is far from the first car to use fans for downforce”
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