Tesla demonstrates Roadster with SpaceX air thrusters, targets 2028 production
In short
Tesla demonstrated a new Roadster with air thrusters at a SpaceX test site in Texas. Reports described airborne jumps and flips, while Elon Musk said production would begin in 2028.
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Tesla demonstrated a new Roadster at a SpaceX test site in Texas, using air thrusters to perform jumps and flips. Meduza dated the presentation to 15 October, while Vedomosti, citing Bloomberg, placed it near Waco. The prototype drove up a ramp and performed a controlled flip before jumping over other Tesla vehicles, including a Tesla Semi, Vedomosti reported. Meduza said it was operated remotely during the demonstration. Elon Musk said production would begin in 2028. [ 3 , 9 ]
iXBT reported Tesla's claim that the car accelerates from rest to 97 kilometres per hour in 0.81 seconds. TASS gave the same time for acceleration to 100 kilometres per hour. 3DNews said only figures for 60 miles per hour were mentioned at the event and reported a recorded result of 0.81 seconds, while also citing a claim of less than 0.59 seconds. The reports therefore do not give a consistent acceleration specification. iXBT described ten gas thrusters developed with SpaceX and said Tesla had not disclosed range, power, motor configuration or battery capacity. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
Vedomosti reported that the flying version is a single-seat Rocket variant and is not intended for public roads. Meduza said the company acknowledged the Roadster was not approved for road use. Kommersant, citing CNN, said it remained unclear whether the car could actually fly rather than make short jumps, and questioned the legality of such flights. Tesla first showed the second-generation Roadster in 2017 and repeatedly postponed its release, according to Vedomosti. RBC reported that Tesla shares rose after the latest presentation; TASS reported a gain of 5.4%. Interfax quoted US President Donald Trump congratulating Musk and describing the car as impressive. [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]
Why it matters
Tesla shares rose after the presentation, according to RBC and TASS. Reports leave questions about road approval, sustained flight and technical specifications unresolved.
Key facts
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The exact acceleration specification. iXBT gives 0.81 seconds to 97 km/h; TASS gives that time to 100 km/h. 3DNews also cites less than 0.59 seconds to 60 mph, while reporting 0.81 seconds recorded at the event.
- Whether it can sustain flight rather than make short jumps. Kommersant, citing CNN, describes this as unresolved.
- Range, power, motor configuration and battery capacity. iXBT said Tesla had not disclosed these specifications.