Tesla has unveiled its redesigned Roadster electric sports car, demonstrating a vehicle that can lift off the ground and perform aerial manoeuvres using technology developed with engineers from SpaceX.
The unveiling took place on October 15 at a SpaceX test facility in Texas, nearly nine years after Tesla first introduced plans for the next-generation Roadster. The demonstration featured the vehicle travelling along an inverted ramp before launching into the air, rotating and landing back on its wheels.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk described the vehicle as a major engineering achievement, reviving his long-standing promise that the Roadster would offer capabilities beyond those of a conventional sports car.
How the flying Roadster works
The Roadster’s aerial capabilities rely on thrusters that use high-pressure gas to generate thrust. The system draws on technology associated with SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company.
During the demonstration, the vehicle also used a suction system to travel along an inverted section of the ramp before moving into its aerial manoeuvre.
The technology is designed to support short bursts of lift and controlled movements rather than sustained flight like an aircraft. It remains unclear how these features will operate in everyday driving or whether all the demonstrated capabilities will be included in the production model.
Tesla has also promoted extreme acceleration, claiming the Roadster can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in around one second.
Production is planned for 2028
The unveiling marks another milestone for a vehicle that has faced years of delays. Tesla first revealed the second-generation Roadster in 2017, with deliveries originally expected much earlier than the newly announced production timeline.
Musk said production is planned for 2028. However, Tesla has not provided all the details buyers would need to assess the final vehicle, including a confirmed price for the redesigned model.
The car’s unusual thruster system also raises questions about road-use regulations. Tesla has not established that every feature shown during the demonstration will be permitted on public roads in all markets.
A technology showcase for Tesla
The Roadster is expected to serve as a high-performance showcase for Tesla’s engineering capabilities, combining electric vehicle technology with ideas drawn from aerospace engineering.
Its commercial impact remains uncertain, particularly given its premium positioning and the time that has passed since the original announcement.
For now, the unveiling demonstrates that Tesla has moved beyond its earlier concept and produced a prototype capable of performing short airborne manoeuvres. Whether the production Roadster can deliver those capabilities safely, legally and reliably remains to be seen.
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