Tesla unveils redesigned Roadster with thrusters capable of flight
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Tesla has revealed a redesigned second-generation Roadster fitted with SpaceX-derived thrusters, presenting it as a high-performance car that can lift and manoeuvre in the air. The demonstration and bold performance claims revive interest in a long-delayed vehicle, though Tesla has not yet provided a price or shown that the stunts are practical for road use.
Elon Musk said Tesla plans to build the car in 2028 and offer three trims: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. Tesla claims all versions will have 300 miles of range and exceed 230 miles per hour; the Thrust trim is said to reach 60 mph in under a second. Tesla engineering vice-president Lars Moravy said 10 thrusters use 600 litres of compressed air, stored in carbon-fibre-wrapped pressure vessels, to lift and spin the car.
- Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster with SpaceX-derived thrusters.
- The company says production is planned for 2028.
- All three trims are claimed to exceed 230 mph.
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Tesla is best known for its electric cars, while SpaceX is the rocket company founded by Tesla chief executive Elon Musk. The Roadster is Tesla’s sports car, and the second generation has been promised for years but has not yet gone on sale.
The redesigned car is described as combining electric power with compressed-air thrusters, a technology associated with spacecraft. Tesla says these would help it lift and manoeuvre, alongside claims about speed and driving range. The car matters because it would be an unusual extension of Tesla’s vehicle plans, but its cost, practical use and delivery schedule remain uncertain.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that the Roadster is an ambitious showcase for engineering that may push electric vehicles and aerospace technology forward, while attracting investment and excitement around a long-delayed project. If its claimed performance can be delivered safely, it could offer buyers an unusually capable and distinctive car.
The case against
Sceptics could argue that flight-like stunts and extreme acceleration claims risk turning a road car into a publicity spectacle before Tesla has shown they are practical, safe or independently verified. With no price and a history of delay, they may see the 2028 promise as uncertain and question whether the technology serves everyday drivers or just a wealthy niche.
Full account
Tesla has presented a redesigned Roadster at an event in McGregor, Texas, demonstrating a car that combines conventional driving with suction and compressed-gas thrusters. In the staged demonstration, it climbed an inverted ramp, held position upside-down, then left the structure and descended to the ground. The reports describe the manoeuvres as programmed. An Optimus robot was seated in the car during the display.
The company says the ramp stunt used a system of fans and seals to draw air from beneath the vehicle, creating suction. Thrusters adapted from SpaceX technology were shown controlling the car’s movement in the air. Tesla engineering vice-president Lars Moravy said the system uses 10 thrusters and 600 litres of compressed air. Tesla says the tank can be refilled, and that the car uses carbon-fibre-wrapped pressure vessels to store gas.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the Roadster is intended for production in 2028, following years of delays since its concept was first shown. He described the car as capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in one second. Tesla lists three versions: Performance, described as road-ready; Thrust, with acceleration thrusters; and Rocket, a single-seat model with a fuller thruster system, presented as air-ready. The company claims all three will have a range of 300 miles and a top speed above 230mph.
The reports give differing details on reservations and pricing. TechCrunch says Tesla’s website listed deposits of $50,000 for Performance and $250,000 for Thrust, with Rocket available by invitation, but notes that Musk did not announce a price at the event. The second report describes a $5,000 initial reservation for the base car, followed by $45,000 within 10 days, and an additional $245,000 for the Thrust package. Neither account reports a confirmed final price for the Rocket version. The reports also place the launch at different Tesla-related sites in the McGregor and Waco area.
Where outlets differ
TechCrunch locates the event outside Waco, while the second report identifies the SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas.
The reservation figures are presented differently: TechCrunch reports deposits of $50,000 for Performance and $250,000 for Thrust; the other report breaks the base reservation into $5,000 plus $45,000 due within 10 days, and says the Thrust package costs an extra $245,000.
TechCrunch describes three trims and their seating, range and speed claims. The second report focuses more on how suction and thrusters enabled the demonstration, and characterises the Rocket model as a full-flight system.
TechCrunch says the vehicle was shown clearing several Tesla models while moving. The second report instead highlights the upside-down ramp sequence and the Optimus robot in the driver’s seat.
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Originally published by TechCrunch as “Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with style”.