Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster with SpaceX Thruster Technology
Tesla revealed a second-generation Roadster capable of aerial maneuvers and 0-60 mph acceleration in 0.81 seconds, with production scheduled for 2028.
Tesla and CEO Elon Musk unveiled the second-generation Roadster on Thursday night at a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. facility in McGregor, Texas. The electric sports car features a compressed-air thruster system developed in collaboration with SpaceX, allowing the vehicle to lift off, perform barrel rolls, and execute a kickflip over stationary cars. During the demonstration, the car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds and used an underbody fan to hang upside down via extreme downforce.
Production is planned for 2028. The vehicle will be available in three trims: a road-ready Performance version requiring a $50,000 deposit, a race-ready Thrust version with rear thrusters for $250,000, and an invite-only Rocket variant featuring a full flight system. All trims offer a 300-mile range and top speeds exceeding 230 mph. Musk stated the Roadster will be the only manually-driven car Tesla produces long-term, though he noted it is not necessarily a safety-optimized vehicle.
The reveal follows nearly a decade of delays since the initial 2017 debut, during which Tesla prioritized robotics and autonomy. The launch occurs as Tesla's stock has declined 26% from its December 2025 high and the U.S. electric-vehicle market faces contraction following policy reversals by the Trump administration. The Roadster serves as a high-performance halo car while the company shifts its primary focus toward the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robots.
