Tesla unveils flying Roadster at SpaceX test site near Waco
Elon Musk showcased a new Tesla Roadster that can fly and accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 0.81 seconds, with three variants aimed at road, race, and air use.
Key points
- The demonstration lasted under thirty minutes and included a ramp launch, fan‑powered upside‑down hold, and cold‑gas thruster flip.
- The Roadster offers 0‑97 km/h acceleration in 0.81 seconds and a range of about 480 km.
- Three versions are offered: Performance (road ready), Thrust (race ready), and Rocket (air ready, not road‑legal).
- Production is slated for 2028.
- The vehicle performed a barrel roll over a line of Tesla cars during the show.
Event details
On 15 octobre 2026, Elon Musk presented the new Tesla Roadster at the SpaceX test site near Waco, Texas.
The live‑streamed demonstration lasted less than thirty minutes and was described as a stunt‑style spectacle.
During the show the car ascended a C‑shaped ramp, was held upside down by a fan‑powered suction system, then flipped in the air using cold‑gas thrusters before landing on its wheels.
Tesla also displayed a 0 to 97 km/h acceleration in 0.81 second during a test run.
The Roadster is offered in three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.
The Performance version is marketed as “road ready”, seats two, features active aerodynamics and a multi‑mode suction system for downforce, and targets a sub‑1.6‑second 0‑97 km/h run.
The Thrust version is labeled “race ready”, adds rear cold‑gas thrusters and aims for a sub‑0.9‑second 0‑97 km/h time.
The Rocket version is a single‑seat “air ready” model equipped with thrusters around the body for vertical and rotational movement, targets a sub‑0.59‑second 0‑97 km/h time and a top speed above 370 km/h, and is not approved for public roads.
All three models claim an approximate range of 480 km.
Production is scheduled for 2028.
In a separate segment the vehicle launched from a curved track, hovered about 20 m above the ground and performed a barrel roll over a line of Tesla cars.
Il s'avère que l'avenir a bel et bien des voitures volantes
Your questions, answered
What are the three versions of Tesla's new Roadster?
Performance, Thrust, and Rocket, each targeting different use cases and acceleration times.
When will the Roadster be produced?
Production is scheduled for 2028.
How does this story make you feel?
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