Mohit Singh
McGregor, Texas: Elon Musk on Thursday unveiled a new Tesla Roadster that he claims can fly, staging a dramatic demonstration at a SpaceX test facility in which the two-seat sports car drove upside down along a curved ramp, launched into the air, flipped over and landed on its wheels.
The unveiling marks the latest chapter for what has become one of Tesla’s longest-delayed products. The company first revealed a second-generation Roadster prototype in 2017 with deliveries promised for 2020, a timeline that slipped by several years. The redesigned car was demonstrated before a crowd of Tesla enthusiasts at the SpaceX test site, some of whom paid deposits to reserve the car nearly a decade ago.
The flying demonstration
During the livestreamed presentation, the Roadster accelerated up a curved ramp, travelled upside down along its surface using a suction system, then launched off the ramp, rotated 180 degrees in the air and landed with the help of compressed-gas thrusters. In a later demonstration, the car leapt over a line of parked Tesla models while spinning in the air.
Musk said the car uses 10 nozzles and what he described as “ultra high-pressure air tanks” to propel itself both in the air and on the ground. He called the vehicle the result of collaboration between “the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.”
The demonstration had no driver on board, a precaution Musk acknowledged frankly. “Success is not guaranteed,” he told the crowd. “I mean that. It’ll probably work, but if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance.”
What Tesla is promising
Tesla executives said the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under a second — reported at 0.8 seconds — and reach a top speed of more than 230 mph. Musk said the long-term goal is to push the top speed to 383 mph, roughly half the speed of sound.
According to Tesla’s updated website, the car will come in three versions. The Performance edition is described as road-ready with seating for two and is available for reservation with a $50,000 deposit. The Thrust version adds acceleration thrusters, while the invitation-only Rocket variant — a single-seater — promises the full flight system but carries a disclaimer: “Not approved for road use.”
No final price was announced at the event. When the vehicle was first introduced in 2017, Tesla quoted a base price of $200,000.
Reality check
While the staged demonstration succeeded, several major questions remain unanswered. The use and legality of flying features on public roads are far from clear. When asked how the car might be street legal, Musk replied: “You know, I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but like, there will be such a car that someone can own. It’s gonna be pretty wild.”
Musk also has a long history of promising ambitious timelines and missing them. The production target of 2028 was met with understandable scepticism; Musk himself added, “Actually, for real,” as if anticipating the doubt. Whether the car can genuinely fly rather than merely hop will only be proven when production models reach customers.
Tesla shares were little moved by the event, falling 2.1 per cent to $354.72 the day after the unveiling, with the stock still down nearly 20 per cent for the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Tesla really unveil a flying car?
Tesla demonstrated a new Roadster at its October 15, 2026 event that drove upside down on a ramp and launched into the air using SpaceX thrusters. Musk said, “Flying cars are real,” but only brief staged hops were shown — sustained flight remains unproven.
When will the Tesla Roadster go into production?
Musk said production will begin in 2028, adding “Actually, for real.” The car was first revealed in 2017 with a promised 2020 delivery date that was missed by years, so the new timeline should be treated with caution.
Can the Roadster legally be driven on public roads?
This is unclear. Musk admitted he was not sure the car would be legal “in all jurisdictions,” and Tesla’s website states the invitation-only Rocket variant with the full flight system is “not approved for road use.”
How much does the Tesla Roadster cost?
No final price has been announced. Tesla is accepting reservations for the Performance model with a $50,000 deposit, while the Thrust version requires a $250,000 deposit. The 2017 prototype carried a $200,000 base price.
