· · 7 sources ·Updated

Tesla unveils flying Roadster concept with SpaceX thrusters at Texas event

Elon Musk demonstrated a prototype Tesla Roadster capable of flight and inverted driving at a SpaceX facility in Waco, Texas, on Thursday.

Roads? Where the New Tesla Roadster Is Going, It Doesn’t Need Them
File photo Roads? Where the New Tesla Roadster Is Going, It Doesn’t Need Them Photo: Hypebeast

Demonstration capabilities shown live

The electric coupe launched off ramps using compressed-air thrusters and suction fans to drive upside down. It performed barrel rolls midair before landing on its wheels without a driver inside the vehicle. The car accelerated from zero to 60 mph in under one second during the test run.

Production timeline and pricing details

Tesla executives stated that production for this two-seater model is slated to begin in 2028. A reservation page displayed after the event listed a deposit of $50,000 for a performance version and $250,000 for a thrust variant.

Regulatory status remains unclear

Musk noted that the legality of such features on public roads was not immediately clear to authorities. He described the prototype as not being safety optimized but designed to take the fun meter to 11.

All 7 outlets report consistently

No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.

  • The Verge
  • Hypebeast
  • Business Recorder
  • Dawn
  • The Guardian
  • Phys.org
  • South China Morning Post

Reported by

7 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.