Tesla finally unveils the new Roadster, with rocket thrusters that lift it off the ground
Nine years after it was first shown, Tesla's sports car is back with claims of 0-60 mph in one second and short 'flights'. Deliveries are promised for 2028.
After nearly nine years of delays, Tesla has finally shown its second-generation Roadster. At an event in Waco, Texas, on October 15, the electric sports car did something no production car does: it used rocket-style thrusters to lift itself into the air, spin around and land.
It was a dramatic show. But as with many Tesla announcements, the important question is how much of it will reach real customers, and when.
What Tesla showed
During the demonstration, according to TechCrunch:
- Fans and thrusters drove the Roadster up an upside-down ramp, spun it around and landed it on the pavement.
- While moving, the car used thrusters to hop over other Tesla vehicles, including a Cybertruck, a Model Y and the Cybercab robotaxi.
- Tesla claimed acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in about one second.
Tesla’s engineering vice president, Lars Moravy, said the flying trick uses 10 thrusters powered by about 600 litres of compressed air stored in high-pressure tanks. These “cold gas” thrusters do not burn fuel. They work by releasing compressed air very quickly. The tank technology comes from Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX.
Three versions
Tesla says all versions will have about 300 miles (480 km) of range and a top speed above 230 mph (370 km/h). Those are company claims that have not been independently tested.
- Performance: two seats and active aerodynamics, described as “road ready”. Reservation: $50,000.
- Thrust: two seats with rear thrusters for even faster acceleration, described as “race ready”. Reservation: $250,000.
- Rocket: one seat with all 10 thrusters, described as “air ready”. Invite only.
These are reservation amounts, not final prices. Tesla has not announced an official price.
When can you buy one?
Musk said deliveries should begin in 2028. Tesla’s own Roadster website also states that the flying feature is “not approved for public road use”.
“Turns out the future does have flying cars.” — Elon Musk, on X
A long history of delays
To understand the reaction, you need the history. Tesla first revealed this Roadster in November 2017. It promised a car priced at around $200,000, with 620 miles of range and 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, with production in 2020. Customers paid $50,000 deposits, or $250,000 for a “Founders Series”.
Since then, production has been pushed back again and again: to 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and then 2027 or 2028. Electrek counted at least six production delays and seven different dates for this unveiling event alone. Even the final event was moved from October 1 to October 15. Nearly nine years later, no customer has received a Roadster.
The big questions
- Safety: Musk said that “safety is not the main goal” for this car and that Tesla would “aspire not to kill anyone” in it. High-pressure tanks and a car that leaves the ground will face serious questions from safety regulators.
- Is it legal? No country has rules for a road car that can hop into the air. Getting approval may take years.
- Will the timeline hold? Given Tesla’s record with this car, many observers are sceptical about 2028.
Even popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee reacted by asking, “This is a prank, right?”
Why Tesla is doing this
The event comes at a tough time for Tesla’s car business. Its sales have fallen for two years in a row, and it has lost the title of world’s largest electric vehicle maker. A spectacular “halo car” grabs attention and reminds people of Tesla’s engineering ambitions. The day after the event, Tesla shares rose about 2% in morning trading.
Our take
The new Roadster is exciting as a piece of engineering theatre, and it shows how ideas from rockets are moving into cars. But a demonstration is not a product. Until Tesla delivers cars that pass safety rules, the specs and the 2028 date should be treated as promises, not facts. For most people interested in electric cars, the more important Tesla news will be about affordable models and self-driving software, not flying sports cars.
