Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster, Claims Sub-One-Second 0

MCLENNAN, October 16, 2026 — Tesla has unveiled its long-awaited next-generation Roadster with a dramatic demonstration featuring midair flips, rocket-inspired propulsion technology and a claimed acceleration time of less than one second from zero to 60 miles per hour.

The showcase, held on Thursday at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, featured the electric sports car accelerating up a curved ramp before launching into the air using compressed-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX.

Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk described the demonstration as a glimpse of a future in which flying cars could become a reality. “Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk said during the event, while Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy added, “Flying cars are real.”

The demonstration began with the Roadster accelerating up a massive curved ramp. A fan-based suction system kept the vehicle attached to the structure as it moved into an upside-down position. Integrated cold-gas thrusters then propelled the car off the ramp, enabling it to perform a midair flip before landing safely.

In a separate stunt, the Roadster jumped over a lineup of cars and a semi-truck, completing another midair manoeuvre before landing on the other side.

Tesla said the thruster system could address the limitations of conventional tyre traction during acceleration. In a post on X, the company claimed the system could generate four to five times the force available through tyre grip, allowing substantially greater acceleration for the same vehicle mass.

Musk said certain versions of the Roadster would accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than one second and achieve a top speed exceeding 230 mph. Tesla demonstrated the sub-one-second acceleration claim during the event, although the performance figures and the vehicle’s capabilities will require independent verification.

The unveiling comes nearly nine years after Tesla first presented a Roadster prototype in 2017. At the time, the company said deliveries would begin in 2020, but that timeline passed without the vehicle entering customer service.

Tesla executives said production of the new Roadster is expected to begin in 2028, marking another milestone for a project that has attracted significant attention because of its ambitious performance targets and extended development period.

The company did not announce final vehicle prices at Thursday’s event. When the Roadster was first introduced in 2017, Tesla quoted a starting price of US$200,000.

Following the latest unveiling, Tesla’s reservation page listed a US$50,000 reservation payment for the “Performance” version and US$250,000 for the “Thrust” version, which is advertised with acceleration thrusters. The company also described an invitation-only “Rocket” variant as a single-seat model equipped with a full flight system.

Tesla presented the Roadster as a landmark for high-performance, human-driven vehicles, stating on X that it represented “a new moment in history”.

The vehicle’s proposed combination of electric propulsion and SpaceX-inspired thruster technology sets it apart from conventional sports cars. However, its commercial prospects will depend on whether Tesla can translate the demonstrations into a production-ready vehicle that meets performance, safety, regulatory and reliability requirements.

With production still targeted for 2028, customers and the wider automotive industry will be watching for further details on final specifications, pricing, certification and delivery schedules.