In an unexpected tweet, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle automaker Tesla (TSLA) posted a short teaser video clip on X. This video shows a fan or wheel start spinning and reaching insane RPMs.
It’s hardly a 9-second teaster. However, it has stirred a virtually infinite debate on what’s coming. At the last second, the video shows 10/7 — which translates to Tuesday, 7th October.
The ultimate and the longest-awaited Tesla car is the next-generation Roadster. This teaser coincides with the upcoming launch of the more affordable Tesla Model Y — but the basic Model Y isn’t about speed or acceleration, it’s going to be the cheapest Tesla yet.
Screenshot from the Tesla 10/7 teaser. Adjusted for more brightness but still does not reveal much (video). Credit: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA).– Advertisement –
Tesla teaser for a grand launch coming on Tuesday, 7th October 2025.
Since this super-fast spinning turbine-like fan isn’t a Model Y wheel, or even a wheel at all, what is it? If you look at the video a few times with concentration, you’d notice the following things.
The spinning object isn’t a car wheel because it’s wobbling a bit when rotating. Car wheels don’t wobble when running, as this can be a significant safety issue.
In August, a Tesla patent emerged online (first reported by Teslarati), which shows multiple fans attached to a car creating suction toward the ground. This technology increases downforce significatly and it can be controlled dynamically via onboard software.
A vehicle aerodynamic system with dual operating modes to modify downforce across varying speed ranges and driving conditions.
The system comprises multiple fans positioned in airflow pathways and deployable skirts that interact with the ground surface.
In a first mode, complete set of skirts creates a fully sealed bounded region under the vehicle with central fans generating maximum downforce at low speeds on smooth surfaces.
In a second mode, a subset of skirts (primarily side skirts) modifies the bounded region while all fans operate to provide downforce in dynamic driving conditions with uneven surfaces.
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The system includes a control mechanism to selectively deploy skirts and operate fans based on driving conditions, optimizing between maximum downforce at low speeds and improved performance over varying terrain at higher speeds.
Source: US Patent Office (USPTO).
Illustration of Tesla’s patented downforce technology using multiple fans. Credit: USPTO / Tesla, Inc. (TSLA).
Interestingly, as you have read above, these downforce fans are installed under the vehicle and below the side skirts. The teaser video by Tesla suggests that this technology is going to be integrated into the upcoming ultra-high performance Roadster.
The recent development with the new patent and Tesla’s teaser, it looks like the automaker has developed an entirely new system instead of the rocket boosters. Musk hinted last year that the new Roadster is going through radical changes. These new turbines might just be one of those big changes.
In addition to a sub-1.0-second 0-60 time, these new turbine-shaped fans are going to exponentially improve the track performance of the new Roadster. It’s not just to to be a fast car in a straight line but it would also perform significantly better at tracks like Nurburgring, Laguna Seca, and the Pikes Peak.
Two next-gen Tesla Roadster prototypes (grey and red) on display at a past company event. Credit: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA).
Author of more than 1500 articles on Tesla, SpaceX, and EVs. His work has been liked and tweeted by Elon Musk and other prominent influencers. You can reach him on Twitter @IqtidarAlii
 teases a big product launch on Tuesday, 10/7 (7th October) by posting a fast-spinning turbine wheel teaser (get the downforce patent info, and more).){kind=link}