Los Angeles, a city celebrated for its car culture, often throws up automotive surprises. For those in the know, spotting rare and exotic vehicles is almost a pastime. While residents are accustomed to a vibrant mix of classic and contemporary cars, even in locales like Sherman Oaks, seeing a RAESR Tachyon Speed is an event. One reader, Philippe, managed to capture just such a surreal moment in the San Fernando Valley and shared the pictures with us.
Sherman Oaks, typically characterized by everyday vehicles like Hondas, Toyotas, and the occasional work truck, became the unlikely backdrop for this electric blue, all-electric, 1,250 horsepower hypercar. The RAESR Tachyon Speed, essentially a street-legal spaceship, looked completely out of place, yet utterly captivating, as it was presumably just tooling around the neighborhood.
RAESR, which stands for Rice Advanced Engineering Systems and Research (and is intended to be pronounced “racer”), has created a machine that redefines automotive extremes. The Tachyon Speed boasts six direct-drive motors, encasing them within a lightweight 2,950-pound carbon fiber body. This combination allows it to reach speeds exceeding 240 mph. While RAESR has announced they are taking orders, with prices ranging from $750,000 to over $1,500,000, deliveries are believed to be pending. This sighting suggests the vehicle is likely a factory prototype or test model undergoing real-world evaluations – perhaps even just tooling around to gauge public reaction.
Utilizing low-volume vehicle manufacturing laws, RAESR can bring cars like the Tachyon Speed to market without adhering to all the stringent crash and safety regulations imposed on mass-production vehicles. This legal framework fosters innovation and allows for niche creations like this hyper-futuristic machine to exist.
While the concept of ultra-expensive, hyper-performance cars might typically invite skepticism, the Tachyon Speed presents a compelling argument. If the objective is to command attention and experience genuinely futuristic velocity during a drive – even just tooling around town – this car undeniably fits the bill.
The design is truly striking. It evokes comparisons to a modern Batmobile, reimagined for a billionaire with even fewer budgetary constraints than Bruce Wayne. Images of the prototype chassis reveal a tandem seating configuration and a fighter jet-style canopy roof. In essence, it’s a high-performance, electric descendant of the Messerschmitt KR200, but amplified with approximately 100 times the power.
Considering Los Angeles’ notoriously high curbs, one might worry about the low-slung aerodynamic elements of the Tachyon Speed surviving for long in daily use. However, witnessing this extraordinary vehicle amidst the backdrop of ordinary neighborhood life – sharing the streets with well-worn trucks and family minivans – is undeniably amusing. This unexpected juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates the unique automotive landscape of Los Angeles. The RAESR Tachyon Speed, even when simply tooling around, makes a powerful statement.
