Tesla Unveils 'Flying' Roadster with SpaceX Thrusters, Targets 2028 Production

Tesla has unveiled a redesigned Roadster equipped with SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters, demonstrating airborne stunts and a sub-one-second 0-60 mph time, with production planned for 2028.

News source: Google / https://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Tesla has finally unveiled its long-promised next-generation Roadster, a "flying" sports car developed in collaboration with SpaceX. The demonstration took place on Thursday night at SpaceX's rocket testing facility in McGregor, Texas, nearly nine years after the vehicle was first announced as a concept.

The Demonstration

The white, two-seat Roadster performed a series of dramatic stunts. It drove up a curved ramp until it was completely upside down, then launched into the air, performed a mid-air flip, and landed safely using its thrusters. In a second demonstration, the car accelerated toward a row of five parked Tesla vehicles, including a Semi truck, before firing its thrusters to leap over them and land on the other side. Musk called the maneuver a "kick flip."

The Technology

The vehicle is equipped with cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX engineers, which use high-pressure compressed air rather than rocket fuel. A fan-based suction system on the underside generates up to 2G of downforce, allowing the car to grip the road with extraordinary force and even hold itself upside down while stationary. Tesla claims the Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 0.81 seconds, meeting Musk's previous target of under one second. The top speed is over 230 mph.

Variants and Production

Tesla's reservation website lists three versions: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Rocket variant, which is a single-seater with the full flight system, is invite-only. The Performance model requires a $50,000 deposit, while the Thrust version requires a $250,000 deposit.

Musk said mass production is scheduled to begin in 2028. The Roadster will be Tesla's only manually driven car, as the company shifts focus to autonomous vehicles and robotics.

The Catch

Musk acknowledged that the Rocket version is "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" and that he is unsure whether it will be legal in all jurisdictions. The demonstration was conducted autonomously without a driver onboard for safety reasons.

Here is the question The Silicon Review raises. Tesla has finally built the flying car it promised nearly a decade ago, but the version that actually flies is not approved for public roads, and the version you can drive is years away from production. When a company demonstrates technology it cannot legally sell and cannot yet produce, is this a glimpse of the future or a masterclass in hype?

FAQ:

Q: What is the Tesla Roadster's 0-60 mph time?
A: Tesla claims the Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds, meeting Musk's target of under one second.

Q: How does the Tesla Roadster fly?
A: The Roadster uses cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX that eject high-pressure compressed air to lift the vehicle and control its movement in the air.

Q: When will the Tesla Roadster enter production?
A: Musk said mass production is scheduled to begin in 2028.

Q: How much does the Tesla Roadster cost?
A: Tesla has not announced a final price. The Performance variant requires a $50,000 deposit, while the Thrust version requires $250,000.

Q: Is the flying version of the Tesla Roadster street-legal?
A: No. The Rocket variant with full flight capability has not been approved for public roads. Musk said he is unsure whether it will be legal in all jurisdictions.

Q: What versions of the Tesla Roadster are available?
A: Tesla lists three variants: Performance (base), Thrust (with rear thrusters), and Rocket (single-seater with full flight system, invite-only).