Tesla unveils next-generation Roadster prototype featuring rocket thrusters and short-flight capability
Tesla has revealed a redesigned prototype of its next-generation Roadster during a stunt-filled demonstration in Texas, showcasing SpaceX-developed thrusters that sent the vehicle airborne ahead of a targeted 2028 production date.
Tesla unveiled its long-delayed second-generation Roadster prototype on Thursday night at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, nearly nine years after first showcasing the model. CEO Elon Musk demonstrated the vehicle in collaboration with SpaceX, using compressed-air rocket thrusters and a suction system to send the sports car up a steep curved ramp, flip midair, and soar over a parked row of Tesla vehicles before landing.[2][4][6][8][11][12][15][19]
Tesla claims the electric supercar can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under one second—reaching 0.81 seconds in its demonstration—and exceed a top speed of 230 mph. Musk noted the thrusters draw from self-refilling high-pressure air tanks. Tesla lists three variants of the model: Performance, Thrust, and an invitation-only, single-seat Rocket trim equipped with the flight system.[5][9][11][12][17][19]
Musk stated that the Roadster will be the only manually driven car Tesla makes, with production slated to begin in 2028. However, the experimental prototype is not approved for public roads, and major questions regarding road legality and safety regulations remain unresolved. Following the reveal, Tesla shares climbed approximately 5% in premarket trading, though some market analysts dismissed the high-flying spectacle as an impractical publicity stunt.[1][3][5][6][7][10][14][18][19]
Key facts
- Tesla unveiled its redesigned second-generation Roadster at Elon Musk's SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas.
- The prototype used SpaceX-developed compressed-air thrusters and a suction system to jump a ramp, flip midair, and clear a row of Tesla vehicles.
- Tesla claimed a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 0.81 seconds and a top speed exceeding 230 mph.
- Tesla listed three Roadster models: Performance, Thrust, and an invitation-only single-seat Rocket version equipped with a flight system.
- Production is scheduled to begin in 2028, with Musk describing the vehicle as the only manual car Tesla will produce.
- The airborne Roadster prototype is not approved for public roads, leaving road legality and safety unresolved.
- Tesla stock traded up around 5% premarket following the presentation.
Sources · 17 sources
- HE
Hedgeye@HedgeyePost on X ·
Tesla’s Roadster Is Just Another Publicity Stunt 🔊 Hedgeye Industrials analyst Jack Cromwell broke down Tesla's new Roadster unveil on The Call @ Hedgeye this morning. The reveal was pure spectacle. The car drove upside down, hit 60mph in under a second, and flew on rocket-style thrusters, which Cromwell called "all very cool and all very unrealistic for actual use." The stock was up about 3% pre-market, which the team pegged as the retail crowd, since any serious investor can see this isn't a future earnings boost. The more interesting angle is why launch now, after nearly a decade of delay. The Roadster was built in collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, which may be Musk hinting at interest in a merger, something he'd likely try to push through before the end of the Trump administration and which would simplify things administratively. The bottom line from our team's perspective: cool to watch, but "just another publicity stunt" that adds little to nothing for Tesla shareholders and shouldn't move the stock. Subscribe to The Call @ Hedgeye for daily market insights from our team of 40+ analysts: https://t.co/d5A3iklIAw
Open source - CN
CBS News@CBSNewsPost on X ·
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled what he described as a "flying" car, equipped with thrusters, during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX rocket company's facility on Thursday. https://t.co/kYSZgx41Oe
Open source - MI
Mint@livemintPost on X ·
Tesla has unveiled its redesigned second-generation Roadster, featuring SpaceX-inspired thrusters, at an event in Texas. CEO Elon Musk said the two-seater electric sports car is expected to enter production in 2028, following years of delays. 🏎️ https://t.co/4waooWbH9V https://t.co/iECFwxuy9r
Open source - BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Tesla finally rolled out its long-delayed Roadster sports car — or rather, launched the vehicle into the sky. The automaker late Thursday held a product reveal unlike any other, showcasing a prototype designed in collaboration with SpaceX outfitted with air thrusters that jumped over other cars and flipped in midair https://t.co/FCKDIeBCiE
Open source - DE
DecryptArticle ·
Tesla Roadster Rocket Is the Cool 'Flying' Car You Can’t Have Tesla's new Roadster flips through the air, jumps a row of Teslas and lands on SpaceX thrusters. The Rocket version is invite only, not approved for public roads, and not due until 2028.
Open source - RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster equipped with thrusters that enable it to fly short distances, nearly nine years after it first showed a next-generation version of its electric sports car, and said it would start production in 2028 https://t.co/xYuT9Izmvf https://t.co/p8SKMOiKjp
Open source - BI
Business Insider@BusinessInsiderPost on X ·
At the Roadster launch, Elon Musk said it will be the "only manually driven car that Tesla makes." We don't know the price, but it's not cheap. https://t.co/nG4MiEiyhQ
Open source - TW
The Washington Post@washingtonpostPost on X ·
Tesla demonstrated its long-awaited Roadster at a SpaceX facility, using four rocket thrusters to propel the car through the air. The demonstration marked a milestone for the supercar, which has been in development for nearly a decade. https://t.co/gpHFnjkGfH https://t.co/5b757coLDF
Open source - AI
Analytics Insight@analyticsinmePost on X ·
𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰: 𝟎-𝟔𝟎 𝐦𝐩𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝟎.𝟖𝟏 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 Tesla’s next-generation Roadster just took performance to another level. The prototype drove upside down, performed midair stunts and reportedly reached 60 mph in 0.81 seconds using advanced thruster technology. Production remains targeted for 2028, with safety and road legality still major questions. #TeslaRoadster #Tesla #ElonMusk #SpaceX #ElectricVehicles #FlyingCar #TechNews #analyticsinsight #analyticsinsightmagazine Read More 👇 https://t.co/c2gRPx4k3I
Open source - BI
Business Insider@BusinessInsiderPost on X ·
Tesla stock rose about 5% premarket after Elon Musk unveiled a Roadster that can briefly "fly." https://t.co/HdLAueCEWi
Open source - WS
Wall St Engine@wallstenginePost on X ·
Tesla just showed its new Roadster prototype driving upside down, flipping in midair and jumping over a lineup of vehicles. - production targeted for 2028 - 0–60 mph in under 1 second in Tesla’s demonstration - SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters for acceleration and flight - A suction system that holds the car against the ramp, even upside down - A claimed top speed of more than 230 mph The thrusters use compressed air stored in high-pressure tanks that the car can recharge itself. Tesla lists three versions: Performance, Thrust and the invitation-only, single-seat Rocket with a full flight system.
Open source - BT
Business Today@business_todayPost on X ·
Flying Cars Are Here? Elon Musk Shows Tesla Roadster Flying Through Air In Stunning Demo Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a stunning demonstration of the next-generation Roadster, featuring an electric sports car driving upside down, briefly flying through the air and landing safely. The event took place at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, nearly nine years after Tesla first announced the model. Musk says the car uses a high-pressure air tank and specially designed thrusters to lift off the ground. Tesla also claims the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds, deliver a range of around 300 miles and exceed 230 mph in top speed. The company lists three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. #EvelKnievel #SnakeRiverCanyon #Engineering #Automotive #YouTubeShorts
Open source - TW
The Wall Street Journal@WSJPost on X ·
Tesla unveiled its second-generation Roadster sports car with a flourish of engineering prowess. Using SpaceX rocket technology, the angular sports car climbed a curved ramp and hurled itself to a controlled landing. The demonstration was held before a crowd of Tesla enthusiasts, some of whom paid $250,000 to reserve the car nine years ago. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the car enters production in 2028. Read more: https://t.co/3HY8ZwYUIq
Open source - TK
The Kobeissi Letter@KobeissiLetterPost on X ·
BREAKING: Tesla stock, $TSLA, surges over +5% after Elon Musk unveils the flying Tesla Roadster. The stock has added +$75 billion in market cap today. https://t.co/dSz18U5wNR
Open source - TE
TechCrunch@TechCrunchPost on X ·
The new car used thrusters to leap over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3 at a demo in Texas. https://t.co/JZ0yfr0Fyd
Open source - PI
Pio@piovincenzo_Post on X ·
Tesla showed off a car that "flies" and the stock popped 5% in premarket Imagine trying to value a company where the CEO is working on cars, robots, AI and rockets https://t.co/3suVLxAarx
Open source - FN
Frank-News@francobocaPost on X ·
2026 Tesla Roadster: Is it a car or a plane? It generates enough downforce to drive upside down. It boasts insane cornering. It can fly for short bursts, powered by self-refilling air tanks. Its electric drive and thrusters deliver a 0-60mph (96kph) time of 0.81 seconds, beating the world record holder McMurtry Spéirling Pure, an electric single-seater, at a claimed 1.55 seconds. A Formula 1 car usually gets to 60 mph in about 2.5 to 2.6 seconds. Top speed is estimated at 230mph (370kph) and above.
Open source - AI
Analytics Insight@analyticsinmePost on X ·
𝗧𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲? Tesla Roadster has brought flying car technology into the spotlight with a dramatic demonstration in Texas. The redesigned electric sports car drove upside down on a curved ramp, performed brief airborne manoeuvres and landed safely. Yet public-road approval, safety concerns and practical challenges remain unresolved, while Tesla's planned 2028 production target leaves buyers waiting for the long-delayed vehicle. #TeslaRoadster #TeslaFlyingCar #Tesla #SpaceX #FlyingCarTechnology #ElectricVehicles #AnalyticsInsightUAE Read More 👇 https://t.co/Xpomz9NTKt
Open source - FN
Fox News@FoxNewsPost on X ·
"Well it worked!" Tesla's next-generation Roadster LIFTS OFF THE GROUND during a jaw-dropping demonstration, offering a glimpse at technology that could change what an electric sports car can do. The experimental vehicle uses a fan-powered suction system and compressed-air thrusters to control its movement and landing. Elon Musk said certain versions of the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than one second and reach a top speed of more than 230 mph. But don't expect to see this version cruising down the highway anytime soon. The prototype isn't approved for public roads, and Tesla is targeting 2028 for Roadster production. See how the unusual technology works and what Tesla has planned next: https://t.co/yO3RVNJMnI
Open source