Tesla Unveils ‘Flying’ Roadster With SpaceX Rocket Thrusters, Claims 0–60 mph in 0.81 Seconds
Elon Musk has unveiled Tesla’s futuristic Roadster, a high-performance electric sports car equipped with SpaceX rocket thrusters that can reportedly launch into the air and perform mid-air flips. The vehicle was showcased at SpaceX’s Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas, as Tesla seeks to reinforce its image as an innovator in electric mobility.
During the demonstration, the Roadster launched vertically into the air, performed a mid-air barrel roll over a line of parked Tesla vehicles and landed on its wheels. The event also featured an acceleration run, with the car reportedly reaching 60 miles per hour in a claimed 0.81 seconds.
Musk said the production version could be even faster, with manufacturing currently planned to begin in 2028. The vehicle combines Tesla’s electric-car technology with thruster systems developed by SpaceX, the rocket company also led by Musk. The design has been promoted as a potential breakthrough in high-performance motoring, although its airborne capabilities and performance claims will require further verification under production conditions.
Musk acknowledged that the Roadster may not be legal in every jurisdiction and described it as “not necessarily a safety-optimised car”, while insisting that it would be a vehicle people could own and drive on public roads.
The Roadster has been in development for nearly a decade, with its launch postponed several times. Tesla originally promised deliveries in 2020. In 2018, Musk famously sent an earlier Roadster prototype into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Some prospective customers have reportedly paid $50,000 to secure a place on the waiting list, despite the prolonged delays. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman was among those who had reserved the vehicle but later sought a refund after years of waiting.
Despite the dramatic unveiling, Musk has played down the Roadster’s expected financial impact on Tesla, suggesting that sales volumes will remain relatively modest. The company is increasingly focusing on its Model 3 and Model Y, autonomous taxis and humanoid robots as it reshapes its long-term business strategy.
If production begins as planned, the new Roadster will enter the ultra-luxury performance-car market, competing with high-end electric vehicles and other premium sports cars. For now, its proposed combination of rocket thrusters, extreme acceleration and airborne manoeuvres remains one of the most ambitious concepts in the electric-car industry.
