Tesla Unveils Flying Car Prototype: Roadster With SpaceX Thrusters Targets 2028 Production

Tesla has unveiled a flying car prototype — a redesigned Roadster equipped with SpaceX rocket thrusters — and CEO Elon Musk says production is targeted for 2028[reference:0]. The demonstration took place at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, where the vehicle performed aerial manoeuvres including flipping mid-air and landing using built-in thrusters.

This is the latest chapter for a vehicle that has become one of Tesla’s longest-delayed products. Tesla first revealed a prototype of the second-generation Roadster in 2017 and initially said deliveries would begin in 2020[reference:2]. Now, the timeline has shifted to 2028.

What Happened at the Tesla Roadster Reveal?

At the event, the white two-seater Roadster drove upside down on a curved ramp using a suction system, then launched into the air, flipped, and landed safely using its thrusters[reference:3]. Later in the demonstration, it used the thrusters to jump over a line of parked Tesla vehicles while twisting in the air[reference:4].

“This is the culmination of incredible work by Tesla and SpaceX engineers working closely together to make something that you haven’t seen in any movie,” Musk told the cheering crowd.

Musk also posted on X: “Turns out the future does have flying cars”.

Tesla Roadster Specs and Performance

Tesla vehicle engineering chief Lars Moravy said the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in less than one second and reach a top speed of over 230 mph (370 kph)[reference:7]. In a separate recorded demonstration, Tesla showed the Roadster hitting 60 mph in 0.81 seconds.

The car uses what Musk described as an “advanced ultra-high pressure air tank” along with altitude-control thrusters and main thrusters at the rear[reference:9]. He said the car “can basically fly like a rocket” and perform rolls.

Tesla shared additional stats on X: the Roadster is a two-seater with about 300 miles of range and a top speed over 230 mph.

Tesla Roadster Variants and Pricing

Tesla’s reservation page lists three versions of the new Roadster:

• Performance — requires a $50,000 deposit
• Thrust — features acceleration thrusters and requires a $250,000 deposit
• Rocket — invite-only, described as a single-seat model with a “full flight system”

Tesla did not announce final pricing at the event. When the car was first shown in 2017, Tesla quoted a base price of $200,000.

Is the Tesla Flying Car Street Legal?

The use and legality of the Roadster’s thrusters on public roads are not immediately clear. When asked if the car is street legal, Musk said: “Depends on your street. It’ll be a viable car”.

Auto industry experts noted that while you can buy electric vehicles with similar systems for private track use, “making one actually legal to drive on public roads … is a whole different challenge”.

Musk added that the Roadster is expected to be Tesla’s only manually driven vehicle in the long term and acknowledged it is “not necessarily a safety optimized car”.

Why This Matters for Tesla

Despite the attention surrounding the vehicle, Musk has previously downplayed its financial importance. In 2023, he described the Roadster as a “small potato situation” that would not “move the needle in a major way financially” for Tesla.

However, analysts say the new Roadster could play an important role in Tesla’s image. “Tesla does not currently have a halo car, or high-performance luxury vehicle designed to showcase an automaker’s best engineering and technology. The Roadster will be Tesla’s new halo car,” Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein said in a note.

Morningstar expects annual Roadster sales to reach around 2,000 units, making it a low-volume model compared with Tesla’s mainstream electric cars.

Skepticism and Challenges Ahead

Even with the successful demonstration, whether the car will truly fly — rather than just hop — remains unproven. The demonstration did not include any long-range flight.

Roger Connor, curator for vertical flight at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, told CNN that combining aircraft and road vehicle requirements presents significant engineering challenges. “Aircraft are extremely sensitive to weight, whereas with ground vehicles you want them to have bumpers and crumple zones and all that,” he said. “Inevitably, something that is a hybrid between the two is going to be a poor performing aircraft and a poor performing vehicle, and also quite expensive”.

Connor added: “We’re not talking about sustained flight. We are literally talking about hopping”.

Tesla Flying Car FAQ

When will the Tesla Roadster go into production?

Tesla is targeting production for the new Roadster in 2028, according to Elon Musk.

Can the Tesla Roadster actually fly?

The prototype demonstrated brief aerial manoeuvres using SpaceX thrusters, including flipping and jumping over vehicles. However, sustained flight capability remains unproven.

How fast is the Tesla Roadster?

Tesla claims the Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than one second with thrusters engaged and reach a top speed of over 230 mph (370 kph).

How much will the Tesla Roadster cost?

Tesla has not announced final pricing. Reservation deposits range from $50,000 for the Performance version to $250,000 for the Thrust version. The Rocket variant is invite-only.

Is the Tesla flying car street legal?

It is unclear whether the Roadster’s thruster technology will be legal for use on public roads. Musk said it “depends on your street”.

Final Thoughts

Tesla’s flying car prototype is a bold engineering showcase that blends electric vehicle performance with SpaceX rocket technology. While the 2028 production target gives enthusiasts something to look forward to, questions about practicality, legality, and real-world flight capability remain unanswered.

For now, the Roadster stands as Tesla’s new halo car — a symbol of what the company believes is possible when its automotive and aerospace engineers work together.

Reference:
CNN Business
USA Today
Business Insider