Tesla unveils second-generation Roadster at SpaceX Texas site, production set for 2028
In short
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the second-generation Roadster at a SpaceX test facility in Texas, where the car drove upside down on a ramp, flipped in the air with thrusters and went from 0 to 60 mph in under a second by Tesla's timer. Musk said production will start in 2028. No price was announced, and it was unclear whether the car would be street-legal.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the company's new Roadster at a product event at a Texas test facility belonging to SpaceX on Thursday, October 15. The event had originally been scheduled for October 1 but was postponed because of inclement weather, according to Business Insider. It was open only to reservation holders with direct tickets, and Tesla said it would livestream it. [ 1 , 4 , 7 ]
In the demonstration, a white sports car raced up a curved ramp, clung to it upside down and vaulted off it, flipping in mid-air before landing, CNBC reported. CNN said the car used suction underneath to climb the ramp and hang upside down, and 10 nozzles with what Musk described as "ultra high-pressure air tanks" to propel itself. CNET said the thrusters were 10 SpaceX cold gas thrusters, and that Tesla Vice President of Engineering Lars Moravy said the underbody system can generate up to 2Gs of suction. The car later leapt over a line of Tesla's existing models. It went from 0 to 60 mph in under a second, according to Tesla's timer. It had no driver, which Musk said was "to make sure we don't kill anyone." [ 6 , 7 , 12 ]
Musk said the car would enter production in 2028. The price was not announced, and CNBC said the company did not disclose specifications for other performance-level variants. CNBC said it was unclear whether the vehicle would be street-legal; Musk said on stage, "This is not necessarily a safety-optimized car." Wired quoted him saying, "I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions." An FAA spokesperson said in a written statement that the vehicle "does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft." Former FAA official Michael McCormick told Wired that a flying vehicle weighing more than about 250 pounds would need FAA approval, which he predicted could take at least a year. CNN said it remains to be proven that the car can fly rather than hop and also drive fast on roads. Newsweek said the flying version is invitation-only and not road legal. [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 13 ]
Musk first revealed the rebooted Roadster in November 2017, according to Business Insider, with a promised 0-to-60 time of 1.9 seconds, up to 620 miles of range and delivery in 2020. CNET said the new car looked almost nothing like the 2017 concept. CNN noted that Musk has previously missed timelines by years, and IGN's writer said he expected delays. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 11 , 12 ]
CNBC said the Roadster is not likely to have a material financial impact on Tesla and that the unveiling added to speculation about a Tesla-SpaceX merger. It said Barclays analyst Dan Levy predicted in a note that such a deal could happen before the end of 2026. Newsweek said Musk had said earlier this year the Roadster probably would not "move the needle massively from a revenue standpoint." IGN said the reveal drew a mix of astonishment and skepticism online, and quoted actor Christopher Lloyd on X: "Finally...flying cars." [ 6 , 11 , 13 ]
Why it matters
The Roadster was first revealed in 2017 with delivery promised for 2020, and Musk now says production will start in 2028. CNBC reported that the Roadster is not likely to have a material financial impact on Tesla and that the event added to speculation about a Tesla-SpaceX merger. CNN said it remains to be proven that the car can fly and also drive on roads.
Key facts
- Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster at a product event at a SpaceX test facility in Texas. [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- In the demonstration the car drove up a ramp, hung upside down, then flipped in the air using thrusters before landing. [ 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- The car went from 0 to 60 mph in under a second, according to Tesla's timer. [ 6 , 7 , 13 ]
- The car had no driver during the demonstration; Musk said this was to make sure nobody was killed. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- Musk said the Roadster will enter production in 2028. [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
- The price was not announced. [ 6 , 8 ]
- The event had originally been scheduled for October 1 and was postponed because of inclement weather. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Tesla unveiled the new Roadster at a SpaceX test facility in Texas. [ 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- Musk said production will begin in 2028. [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
- The car was shown driving upside down on a ramp and flipping in the air with thrusters. [ 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]
- The car had no human driver during the demonstration. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- No price has been announced. [ 6 , 8 ]
- Musk said on stage that the car is not necessarily a safety-optimized car. [ 6 , 8 , 11 ]
- Tesla first revealed the second-generation Roadster in 2017. [ 1 , 4 , 12 , 13 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Roadster will be street-legal. CNBC said it was unclear, and Wired quoted Musk saying he is not sure it is legal in all jurisdictions.
- Whether the car can truly fly and also drive fast on roads. CNN said this remains to be proven; Wired said the car flew a few dozen feet with an awkward jerking maneuver.
- Whether the flying version can be bought. Only Newsweek said the flying version is invitation-only and not road legal.
- Whether a Tesla-SpaceX merger will happen. CNBC reported speculation, including a Barclays analyst's prediction of a deal before the end of 2026; no document reports a decision.
- Whether production will start in 2028 as Musk said. CNN and IGN noted that earlier Musk timelines were missed or that delays could follow.