Tesla’s Flying Roadster Finally Arrives, Nine Years Late and Fully Airborne
Key points
- Tesla unveiled the redesigned Roadster at a SpaceX facility near Waco, Texas, where it drove upside down, landed under thruster control, and cleared a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Semi, Model Y and Model 3 1.
- The car uses 10 thrusters fed by 600 liters of compressed air, and Tesla claimed a 0.81-second run to 60 mph in a recorded demonstration 2 3.
- Three trims are planned, Performance, Thrust and Rocket, all with about 300 miles of range and speeds above 230 mph, but Musk named no price and production is slated for 2028 1 4.
- The Rocket version is invite-only and not approved for public roads, and the unveiling lands amid stalled US EV sales and doubts that wealthy buyers want electric hypercars 2 4.
A Stunt Show, Not a Spec Sheet
Tesla’s reveal was closer to a stunt show than a product launch. Elon Musk presented the new Roadster at an outdoor event in Texas, where it used a mix of high-powered fans and thrusters to climb an inverted ramp, spin, and settle onto the pavement 1. Business Insider reported that Musk’s first reaction was a simple “Well, it worked,” while engineering VP Lars Moravy declared that flying cars are real 3.
In a second routine, the car lifted itself over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y and Model 3 while in motion, a move Moravy called a kick flip 1 2. Live blogs from the night captured the crowd’s reaction and the retro-cyberpunk staging, including a driverless mannequin dubbed Starman at the wheel 6.
How the Roadster Flies
The hardware is a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers. Moravy said the car uses 10 thrusters connected to 600 liters of compressed air, and that the tank can be recharged 1. The Verge adds that there are two ultra-high-pressure tanks holding roughly 250 kilograms of air, with no specialized chemical propellant needed 2. Tesla said every usable void in the car is packed with carbon-fiber pressure vessels 1.
A SpaceX-supplied fan system underneath the car produces suction of up to two Gs, which is how it clings to a vertical ramp. Musk says the same tech should help it corner and break track records 2 4. Reports differ on some details: Wired cited four thrusters, while others described ten nozzles, so the exact configuration is worth watching 2 4.
Trims, Prices and Fine Print
Tesla’s site lists three versions. Performance is the road-ready two-seater with active aerodynamics and a suction system. Thrust is the race-ready two-seater with rear cold-gas thrusters. Rocket is the single-seat, air-ready flagship with a full ring of thrusters 1 2. All are quoted at about 300 miles of range and top speeds above 230 mph 1. The Verge says Tesla’s site claims 0-60 times below 1.6, 0.9 and 0.59 seconds respectively 2.
Musk gave no price. Reservations are the money story: TechCrunch reported $50,000 to hold the Performance and $250,000 for Thrust, with Rocket invite-only 1, while Business Insider and Wired describe a $5,000 reservation fee for Performance with $45,000 due within 10 days 3 4. Tesla later acknowledged the Rocket is not approved for public roads, and observers noted apparent mechanical door latches and missing side mirrors, which raise street-legality questions 2 3. Asked directly whether it was street legal, Musk said it depends on your street 3.
Nine Years of Delays and a Tough Market
The Roadster was first shown in 2017 with a 1.9-second 0-60 time, a 200 kWh battery and a 2020 delivery target 2 5. Musk floated thrusters in 2018, then the project stalled behind the Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck, with further delays in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 1. The reveal itself slipped from October 1 because of weather 5. Critics included Marques Brownlee, who asked on social media whether the 2028 claim was a prank, and Sam Altman, who had trouble canceling his reservation 1 4.
Musk himself has played down the car’s financial weight, calling it a halo product that will not move the needle on revenue and saying safety is not the main goal 1 2. The timing is awkward: US EV sales have stalled after federal support was cut, and several luxury brands report buyers wanting gas-powered sound and power 4. Rivals like Rimac, Porsche and BYD have meanwhile spent the years shipping fast electric cars 2. Still, as The Verge put it, none of those flew.
Companies mentioned: Tesla (TSLA $362.44 ▼1.3%) • SpaceX
Primary sources
Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with style (techcrunch.com) – TechCrunch's report covers the Waco event in detail: the inverted-ramp demo, the leap over five Tesla vehicles, the three trims (Performance, Thrust, Rocket), shared range and speed figures, reservation costs, and Moravy's description of 10 thrusters on 600 liters of compressed air. It also traces the Roadster's history from the 2017 reveal through repeated delays, Musk's comments on safety and halo status, the design inspirations, and criticism from Marques Brownlee and Sam Altman. Published by TechCrunch.
The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a second (theverge.com) – The Verge describes the under-30-minute event as more stunt show than product reveal, with no price or release date. It details the fan-based suction system (up to two Gs), the two air tanks (600 liters, about 250 kg of air), the 0.81-second 0-60 claim, the steer-by-wire controls, and the trim specs. It notes Tesla's admission that the car is not road legal, recounts the 2017 launch promises, and argues rivals like Rimac, Porsche and BYD caught up in the meantime. Published by The Verge.
Further sources
Elon Musk just unveiled a Tesla Roadster that flies — take a look (businessinsider.com) – Business Insider's account of the livestreamed reveal covers the upside-down ramp demo, Musk's and Moravy's reactions, the 0.81-second recorded run, and the three configurations with deposit details. It points out mechanical door latches, missing side mirrors, and the street-legality exchange with an audience member, and recaps the original Roadster, the 2017 promises and Musk's apology to deposit holders. Published by Business Insider.
The Tesla Roadster 2 Is Here—and It Flies (wired.com) – Wired reports on the event at SpaceX's McGregor, Texas facility, noting Musk's caution that the car is not safety-optimized, the 2028 production target, the missing price, and the trim lineup. It offers a skeptical view of the specs (including a four-thrusters claim and a 300-mile range that is middling for luxury EVs) and sets the reveal against stalled US EV sales and weak demand for electric hypercars, including Lamborghini shelving its EV plans. Published by Wired.Elon Musk hypes up tonight's Roadster reveal: 'A candidate for greatest product demo of all time' (businessinsider.com) – This Business Insider preview covers the run-up to the event: the postponement from October 1 due to weather, Musk's claim it would be a candidate for the greatest product demo of all time, the 7:55 p.m. CT start for reservation holders, the September teaser, and the old 2017 specs. It also notes that Sam Altman and Marques Brownlee canceled or altered reservations. Published by Business Insider.
Tesla Roadster Reveal Live Updates: Long-Awaited EV Sports Car Gets Its Big Launch (slashgear.com) – SlashGear's live blog gives a play-by-play of the event, from the expectations and the 7:55 p.m. CT start in McGregor, Texas, to the retro staging, Musk's remarks about success not being guaranteed, the upside-down ramp, the Starman mannequin, the kick flip over Tesla's lineup, and commentary on the angular design and suction fans. Published by SlashGear.
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