Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new version of the Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car equipped with rocket thrusters developed by his SpaceX company, during a launch event at a SpaceX test facility in Texas on Thursday. The demonstration featured the vehicle performing stunts including a vertical launch off a curved ramp, a mid-air barrel roll, and flying over several parked Tesla cars before landing upright. The car’s movements were controlled remotely to eliminate risk during the display.
The Roadster deploys ten cold gas thrusters powered by compressed air stored in composite pressure vessels behind the seats. These thrusters enable the car to hover, flip, and glide through the air, marking an unusual combination of automotive and aerospace technologies. Additionally, a powerful suction system under the car keeps it firmly attached to surfaces, allowing it to drive upside down.
Musk described the vehicle as capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in under one second, with a top speed reaching 230 miles per hour (370 kilometers per hour). The two-seater Roadster, which will be Tesla’s only manual transmission model, has been in development for more than a decade and is slated for production starting in 2028. Musk acknowledged that the flying version of the car, with its rocket thrusters, is unlikely to be road legal in all jurisdictions due to regulatory and safety concerns.
The Roadster will initially be sold as a high-performance sports car without thrusters, featuring the suction system and aerodynamic design elements. Musk emphasized that the flying prototype shown in the demonstration is more of a "performance" showcase rather than a finalized consumer product. The price for the new Roadster has not been officially announced, though earlier reports suggested it could around £150,000 or more.
Customers had been on a waiting list for years, with deposits of $50,000 reportedly placed by some, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who later requested a refund after a protracted wait amid legal disputes. The product launch has faced multiple delays since its initial announcement over a decade ago.
Industry analysts see the Roadster as a potential means for Tesla to revive its reputation as an innovator amid growing competition in the electric vehicle sector. Tesla has recently shifted its focus away from some premium models like the S and X to prioritize mass-market vehicles such as the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as autonomous taxi technologies and robotics. Tesla deliveries fell slightly in the third quarter of 2026, and the Cybertruck has struggled with sales since its release.
While some experts question the practical impact of the flying Roadster given regulatory hurdles and advances in other EV technologies, Musk framed the vehicle as a realization of a long-held vision of flying cars, blending automotive engineering with rocket propulsion. He noted the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers had produced what he described as a vehicle surpassing the capabilities seen in movies or previous concepts.
The car includes features such as hidden headlights, a full-length taillight, super-light wheels, and gold-tinted glass reminiscent of astronauts’ visors. Musk dismissed concerns about reliance on artificial intelligence for the complex maneuvers, highlighting the live demonstration as proof of the car’s capabilities. While the flying Roadster remains a niche product with uncertain timelines for wider availability, it represents a notable step toward integrating aerospace technologies with electric vehicles.