Tesla has unveiled a prototype of its long-awaited Roadster sports car that can perform short flights using rocket thrusters, with mass production now targeted for 2028.
The vehicle was revealed on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas, by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk.
During the live demonstration, the two-seater white prototype operated without a driver as a safety measure. It used a suction system to drive up a steep curved ramp and travel upside down, before flipping in mid-air and landing with the aid of its thrusters.
In a second stunt, the Roadster leapt over a line of parked Tesla models, including a Cybertruck and Semi truck, twisting in the air before landing.
According to Tesla, the car is powered by 10 nozzles and ultra-high-pressure air tanks holding about 250kg of compressed air across 600 litres of capacity. The system was developed in collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers.
Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, said the prototype accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under one second and has a claimed top speed of over 230 mph.
Musk told the audience that success was not guaranteed before the demo.
“Success is not guaranteed. It’ll probably work, but if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance,” Musk said.
Tesla said production will begin in 2028, more than a decade after the model was first shown in 2017. The company will offer three variants: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
The company also warned that flying the vehicle on public roads is not permitted and regulatory approval for sustained flight is still pending.
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