Tesla unveiled its long-delayed next-generation Roadster on October 15, 2026, at a SpaceX test facility near Waco, Texas. The electric sports car, which features SpaceX-developed thrusters, demonstrated the ability to drive upside down and perform short-duration flights. The company plans to begin production of the vehicle in 2028.
Engineering the Roadster’s Flight Capabilities
The demonstration at the SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, showcased a prototype that relied on a combination of technologies to achieve gravity-defying maneuvers. According to Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, the vehicle utilizes a fan suction system
on its underside, capable of producing enough force to hold the car against a surface even while upside down. To transition from the ground to the air, the car incorporates cold-gas thrusters—the same technology SpaceX employs to orient its Falcon 9 boosters and Starship prototypes.
During the event, the Roadster successfully drove across a curved ramp, inverted itself, and launched into the air before landing safely. Musk characterized the development as the results of what happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.
While the car performed a kickflip
over a line of parked vehicles, experts like Roger Connor, curator for vertical flight at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, noted that these maneuvers represent hopping
rather than sustained flight. John Carmack, former CTO of Meta’s virtual reality division, expressed skepticism on social media, stating that the demo involved a non trivial chance of embarrassing failure
and noted that rocket bunny hops are out of my comfort zone.
Roadster transforms in Track ModeThese aero features aren't just for looks: they provide the best passive downforce package of any road car (approaching F1 levels!) with wing actuation driven by the @Tesla_Optimus actuator system pic.twitter.com/AqrC4qUga9
— https://x.com/Tesla/status/2110905133785829671
The vehicle’s construction reflects its aerospace ambitions, featuring a chassis packed with Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs). Tesla designers, including Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, have moved toward an angular aesthetic reminiscent of the Lamborghini or the classic Lotus Esprit. The two-seater interior is sparse, utilizing a steer-by-wire yoke, fixed-position seats, and microsuede finishes to minimize weight. The exterior is finished in white paint intended for UV and cryogenic protection, accented with titanium and copper-tinted glass similar to spacesuit visors.
Tesla Roadster Targets Sub-One Second Acceleration
Tesla has established ambitious performance metrics for the new Roadster, claiming that specific variants will reach 60 mph in under one second. The company’s own testing data, shared during the reveal, indicated a 0–60 mph time of 0.81 seconds for the prototype. Musk stated that the vehicle reaches a top speed exceeding 230 mph, with potential targets to eventually reach half the speed of sound, or approximately 383 mph.
- Performance: A two-seater model featuring active aerodynamics and the suction system.
- Thrust: A two-seater variant that adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for increased acceleration.
- Rocket: An invite-only, single-seat version equipped with perimeter-mounted thrusters for lateral and rotational movement.
While Elon Musk stated that production is scheduled for 2028, the project has a history of missed deadlines. Tesla first introduced a Roadster concept in November 2017 with an initial delivery target of 2020. Since then, the timeline for the vehicle has been pushed back in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Early adopters who placed $50,000 deposits—or $250,000 for the limited Founders Series—have waited nearly a decade, with many viewing the early payments as interest-free loans that helped fund the company’s scaling.
Tesla Opens Reservations with Deposits up to $250,000
Tesla has reopened its reservation system, requiring a $5,000 credit card payment followed by a $45,000 wire transfer for a total $50,000 deposit on the Performance model. Those interested in the Thrust version are asked to place a $250,000 reservation. Although Tesla has not provided an official final price for the production models, Musk previously suggested the base version would start at approximately $200,000.
New Roadster is beyond movies, beyond imagination, beyond human, yet still madeby humanson Earth
— https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2110711574121857208
More on Tesla
Wow. pic.twitter.com/HlqpVMcoL8
— https://x.com/PTrubey/status/2110880911654859098
Roadster event livestream https://t.co/G0jU4mWfid
— https://x.com/Tesla/status/2110788059008819215
Still processing this … the most unreal thing I've seen. pic.twitter.com/HtEuvnkZjY
— https://x.com/Teslarati/status/2110915963399135731
Every car on the road today is limited by one thing: tire gripRoadster's thruster system generates 4–5x the force the tires can.More force on the same mass means significantly better acceleration – physics does the rest pic.twitter.com/zdPRT2aKwZ
— https://x.com/Tesla/status/2110904620948267152
Roadster is a true pilot's car: active aerodynamics, a multi-mode suction system & cold-gas thrustersExterior– Concealed headlights, full-length taillight & flush-mounted surfaces for a minimalist, highly technical form– Super light wheels w/ thin spokes that reinforce… pic.twitter.com/3fT1dlUPX7
— https://x.com/Tesla/status/2110907035571401174
Using the config you describe, plus an electric pump to replenish air in COPV, when car power draw drops below max pack power output, makes sense. But we are going to go a lot further.
— https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1005585154373386240
SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly …
— https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1005577738332172289
Tesla has updated the Roadster reservation page with details on all 3 versions!—— Performance ——✅ $5,000 due today (refundable)✅ $45,000 due within 10 days—— Thrust ——✅ Limited availability✅ $5,000 due today (refundable)✅ $245,000 due within 10 days—— Rocket ——✅… pic.twitter.com/Mp7TY2Y1tj
— https://x.com/TeslaNewswire/status/2110963401035796835
From Roadster in a rocketTo rocket in a Roadster
— https://x.com/Tesla/status/2110933466053562557
The Tesla Roadster hit 0–60 mph in 0.81 seconds during the live demo!The video below shows it reaching 0–60 mph in 1.00 second.The Rocket version is claimed to achieve 0–60 mph in under 0.59 seconds.The Roadster will be the quickest production car in the world! pic.twitter.com/hzbJ3NFlO1
— https://x.com/TeslaNewswire/status/2110969354854481974
