Tesla unveiled the next-generation Roadster today, with demonstrations including the vehicle lifting off, performing backflips, and driving upside down. Musk stated that this two-seat electric sports car is scheduled for production in 2028.
The new car was developed by Tesla and SpaceX engineers. The extra thrust and aerial maneuvers in the demo rely on high-pressure compressed air, not rocket fuel. Fans under the car suck the body toward the road surface to increase grip during acceleration and cornering.
Tesla claims the new car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 0.8 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 230 mph; Musk also stated a goal of reaching "half the speed of sound." These performance figures have not yet been independently verified. During the event, Musk noted that the Roadster is not prioritized for safety and warned attendees before the demonstration that it might not succeed.
Tesla listed three Roadster versions, with the flying variant not yet approved for public roads. Prices, range, and how long the so-called "rocket version" can stay airborne have not been disclosed.
Foreign media reports:
Elon Musk finally showcased the long-promised next-generation Tesla Roadster. For someone who sends rockets into space, the car's extravagance is exactly what people expected:It can fly, do backflips, and even drive upside down!
Musk's new car, developed in collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers, pushes the boundaries of automotive technology, even though it's hard to imagine what practical use a flying sports car could have.At a dramatic launch event on Thursday, Musk unveiled this two-seat electric supercar equipped with rocket boosters and a powerful suction system.
The Roadster uses high-pressure compressed air, rather than rocket fuel, to generate thrust, allowing the car to lift off and perform aerial stunts. A fan system underneath sucks the car toward the road, providing extraordinary grip for acceleration and cornering.
Tesla says the car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 0.8 seconds, faster than any production vehicle, with a top speed exceeding 230 mph. However, Musk said his goal is to reach "half the speed of sound."
"This car could suck the chrome right off a trailer hitch," Musk joked about the powerful fans. He also admitted that the Roadster is "not necessarily optimized with safety as the primary goal." Before the demo began, he cautioned, "Success is not guaranteed... but if it fails, we're standing at a safe distance."
The Roadster reminds us why Musk is such a polarizing figure: he's willing to pursue ideas that other engineers or corporate lawyers might consider crazy. Tesla and SpaceX have already transformed the automotive and aerospace industries by challenging conventional engineering assumptions. The Roadster takes this boundary-pushing philosophy to an almost absurd extreme.But the technology supporting this car, especially active aerodynamics and the unusual traction system, could potentially be applied in areas beyond so-called flying cars.
In my view, there's an irony here. Musk envisions a future where humans no longer need to drive themselves; yet he is building what he says will be Tesla's last human-driven car.
Tesla's robotaxi aims to make transportation safer and more routine, while the Roadster is designed to make driving thrilling, perhaps even a bit terrifying. It harks back to an era when cars were objects of desire, not just tools for getting around.
Tesla listed three versions of the Roadster and acknowledged that the flying version is not yet approved for public roads. Tesla has not announced pricing or range, nor explained how long the "rocket version" can stay airborne. Moreover, Musk has a long history of making promises years before revolutionary products actually arrive.
Musk said the Roadster will go into production in 2028. Many questions remain unanswered, including a key one: whether flying cars are actually practical, regardless of legality?
But on that wild night, he made the future look like a sci-fi movie.
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