Tesla has unveiled a redesigned second-generation Roadster fitted with SpaceX thrusters, presenting demonstrations of the car lifting and maneuvering in the air at an event outside Waco, Texas.
The demonstration showed the vehicle using fans and thrusters to climb an inverted ramp, spin, and land on the pavement. It also lifted over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3. Tesla showed the car accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in one second.
Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy said the Roadster uses 10 nozzles connected to 600 liters of compressed air to lift and spin. He said the air tank can be recharged. Tesla said on X that carbon-fiber-overwrapped pressure vessels fill every usable void in the car.
CEO Elon Musk said Tesla plans to build the vehicle in 2028 but did not announce a price. He also said the company may try to jump the Snake River Canyon. Tesla said the design was inspired by the SR-71 and F-35 fighter planes.
The reveal comes nearly nine years after Tesla first showed the second-generation Roadster in 2017. The company has repeatedly delayed the vehicle, with Musk previously naming 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024 as target years. Customers were offered reservations with deposits of $50,000, while 1,000 “Founders Series” reservations cost $250,000 each.
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