TEXAS, UNITED STATES. Tesla has unveiled a redesigned version of its long-awaited Roadster electric sports car, showcasing technology that could push the boundaries between high-performance automobiles and flying vehicles. Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s aerospace company, the prototype features integrated thrusters designed to generate thrust and enable aerial maneuvers.

The demonstration took place on Thursday, October 15, at SpaceX’s test facilities in McGregor, Texas, with Musk leading the presentation. The vehicle drove along a ramp in an inverted position using a suction system, performed an airborne turn and landed under controlled conditions with the assistance of its integrated thrusters. It also jumped over other Tesla vehicles in a display combining engineering, speed and spectacle.

According to the company, the propulsion system uses highly pressurized cold gas rather than conventional rocket combustion to generate thrust. The technology draws on aerospace engineering and represents one of the most distinctive features of the new Roadster.

Extreme performance and three versions

Musk said the Roadster will be capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in less than one second and reaching a top speed of more than 370 km/h. Tesla has announced three configurations: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.

The Performance version is designed as a two-seat sports car for road use. Thrust adds acceleration-focused thrusters, while Rocket is available by invitation only and features a single-seat configuration with a more extensive flight system intended to enable aerial maneuvers.

However, these figures and capabilities reflect specifications announced by Tesla and should not be interpreted as independently verified performance across all production models. Questions also remain about the safety requirements and regulatory approvals needed to operate the vehicle's more unusual features outside a controlled testing environment.

Production targeted for 2028

The new Roadster revives a project first announced in 2017. Tesla initially expected deliveries to begin in 2020, but the program faced repeated delays. The company now expects production to start in 2028.

Although a final retail price was not confirmed at the event, Tesla's reservation page listed deposits of USD 50,000 for the Performance version and USD 250,000 for Thrust. The Rocket configuration is available by invitation. These amounts are reservation deposits, not the confirmed total purchase prices of the vehicles.

The launch also highlights Tesla's evolving business strategy. The company is increasingly focused on autonomous driving, artificial intelligence and robotics, making the Roadster a showcase for its engineering capabilities and technological ambitions rather than a vehicle expected to drive substantial financial growth on its own.

Despite the spectacular demonstration, major questions remain about how the prototype's aerial capabilities could translate into a commercially available vehicle that meets applicable safety and certification standards.

For now, the new Roadster offers a glimpse of an ambitious technological concept. Whether its flight capabilities will become a practical feature of future production vehicles remains to be seen.