Tesla’s New Roadster Can Thrust Itself Into the Air, but Buyers May Have to Wait Until 2028
Tesla has unveiled a redesigned version of its long-awaited Roadster electric sports car, featuring rocket-style thrusters that can propel the vehicle into the air during a demonstration. However, despite the dramatic showcase, consumers may have to wait until 2028 before production begins.
The vehicle was presented at an event at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas on October 15. The demonstration featured the Roadster climbing an inverted ramp, manoeuvring in mid-air and landing back on the ground using its specialised propulsion technology.
The reveal marks a significant new chapter for a vehicle first announced in 2017. Its development has faced repeated delays, leaving Tesla enthusiasts waiting years for a production version.
How Does Tesla’s New Roadster Lift Off the Ground?
The new Roadster uses cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the aerospace company led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The technology releases compressed gas to generate short bursts of thrust, allowing the vehicle to perform unusual manoeuvres.
During the demonstration, the car travelled along a specially designed ramp, moved upside down and then performed an aerial rotation before returning to the ground. It was also shown jumping over other Tesla vehicles during the event.
Tesla has also highlighted a suction-based system that helps the vehicle maintain grip during parts of the demonstration. Together, these features make the Roadster considerably different from conventional electric sports cars.
However, the demonstration should not be confused with a flying car designed for ordinary travel. The displayed manoeuvres took place under controlled conditions, and the technology has not been established as a practical way to fly over public roads.
Production Is Not Expected Until 2028
Despite the attention generated by the unveiling, the Roadster is not expected to reach consumers immediately. Musk said production is planned to begin in 2028.
Tesla first introduced its next-generation Roadster in 2017 and initially expected deliveries much earlier. Subsequent delays pushed back the programme several times, making the latest announcement important for customers who have been waiting for the vehicle.
The company has not provided a confirmed consumer delivery schedule in the latest unveiling reports. The final production specifications, pricing and availability will be important details to watch as development continues.
The gap between a demonstration prototype and a commercially available car also means buyers should wait for confirmed specifications before making purchasing decisions based on the vehicle's advertised capabilities.
Is the Flying Feature Legal on Public Roads?
One of the biggest questions concerns whether the Roadster's airborne capability will be available to ordinary drivers.
Tesla's website states that the Rocket version's airborne feature is not approved for public-road use. That distinction is important because a technology demonstrated at a private facility does not automatically meet the safety and regulatory requirements for use on public highways.
Road vehicles must comply with applicable safety standards, while any system capable of lifting a car into the air would raise additional engineering and regulatory questions.
The company has not demonstrated that drivers will be able to use the airborne feature during normal road journeys. For now, the demonstration is best understood as a showcase of specialised technology rather than evidence that flying cars are ready for everyday commuting.
Tesla and SpaceX Bring Their Technologies Together
The Roadster project highlights the relationship between Tesla's electric-vehicle engineering and SpaceX's aerospace expertise. The use of cold-gas thrusters brings rocket-inspired technology into a high-performance road-car project.
Tesla has also promoted the Roadster's acceleration capabilities. During the unveiling, the vehicle was presented as capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in approximately one second. This is a company demonstration claim and should be distinguished from independently verified performance testing of a final production vehicle.
The latest reveal gives Tesla a high-profile vehicle to showcase while the company continues developing its wider electric-vehicle and autonomous-driving ambitions.
What Buyers Should Know
The new Roadster has generated attention because of its unusual ability to perform airborne manoeuvres, but several questions remain unanswered. Production is planned for 2028, final specifications and pricing need confirmation, and the Rocket version's airborne feature is not approved for public-road use.
For prospective buyers, the key milestone will be the arrival of a production-ready vehicle with confirmed performance figures, delivery dates and regulatory status.
Until then, Tesla's latest Roadster remains a highly ambitious sports-car project whose most eye-catching feature has been demonstrated under controlled conditions—not a flying car ready for everyday use.