Tesla Unveils Flight-Capable Roadster with Thrust and Rocket Variants
Tesla has revealed a radically redesigned Roadster with demonstrated flight capabilities, targeting production in 2028. The vehicle, presented in Performance, Thrust, and Rocket variants, claims extreme acceleration figures but faces unresolved road approval and pricing.
The redesigned Tesla Roadster was unveiled on October 15, 2026, at SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas. Elon Musk presented the car, which then performed airborne maneuvers including a barrel roll and a jump over parked vehicles. The angular, minimalist design features scissor doors, hidden headlights, and a massive rear wing, recalling both Lamborghini and Tesla’s own Cybertruck.
During the demonstration, the car drove up a curved ramp, fired its cold gas thrusters, and performed a barrel roll in mid-air before landing safely. In another stunt, it jumped over a row of parked Teslas. The event showcased flight capabilities Tesla claims include driving upside down.
Three performance variants defined by thrust and suction technology
Tesla outlined three configurations for the next-generation Roadster: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The base Performance model seats two and includes an active aerodynamics system. A multimode suction system uses fans to extract air from beneath the car, generating extreme downforce. Tesla states, "This creates so much negative pressure that the Roadster could even stick to a ceiling while standing still."
The Thrust upgrade adds rear cold-gas thrusters. Tesla claims this enables acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 0.8 seconds, or under one second for 0-100 km/h. The top-tier Rocket version is available by invitation only and replaces the passenger seat with a high-pressure air tank feeding thrusters around the car's perimeter. This configuration is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 0.59 seconds and allows for forward, upward, lateral, and rotational movement. Tesla cautions the Rocket version is not approved for public roads and would require a separate safety assessment in any country.
| Variant | Seating | Key Feature | Claimed 0-60 mph Time | Road Legal Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | Active Aero & Suction System | Not Specified | Target for approval |
| Thrust Upgrade | 2 | Cold-Gas Thrusters | 0.8 seconds | Target for approval |
| Rocket | 1 | High-Pressure Air Tank & Thrusters | 0.59 seconds | Not approved; separate assessment required |
The interior features a steer-by-wire steering yoke, a central display, and additional driver readouts, finished in white with gray microsuede accents. Tesla describes using lightweight materials and a fixed seat position to reduce mass.
Production timeline confirmed amid unresolved road approval and pricing questions
At the presentation, Tesla cited 2028 as a possible start of production. This extends a project first unveiled in 2017, when deliveries were promised for 2020. The new target is eight years after that original date. Key specifications including final battery capacity, range, production weight, and price remain undetermined.
Elon Musk noted, "The new Tesla Roadster, roughly nine years after its first unveiling, whose promised launch never materialized." While executives cited a top speed above 370 km/h and a driving range exceeding 480 kilometres, these are not final figures. Reuters reported U.S. reservation deposits of $50,000 for the Performance model and $250,000 for the Thrust upgrade, but these are not confirmed purchase prices and Canadian pricing is unknown. The fundamental question of road approval for the thrust-equipped variants remains unresolved. Buyers await final specification, final price, and an actual production vehicle as meaningful milestones.
