Rocket nozzles: Tesla is now flying its new sports car

Tesla unveiled its new Roadster, capable of flying and performing aerial maneuvers, during a presentation in Waco, Texas, on October 16, 2026. The vehicle, equipped with cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX, demonstrated its ability to lift off the ground, perform loops, and maneuver through the air. During the demonstration, the Roadster climbed a curved ramp, flipped upside down, launched into the air, executed a roll, and landed safely using its propulsion system. The presentation took place at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas, where Tesla showcased several capabilities of the vehicle. One of the demonstrations involved the Roadster ascending a ramp, flipping over, and landing after executing a controlled flight. Elon Musk, CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, confirmed the success of the maneuver, stating, “Well, it worked.” According to Tesla, the Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour (approximately 97 kilometers per hour) in 0.81 seconds. The production model is expected to be even faster. Three versions of the Roadster were announced: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Performance variant, designed for two passengers, can achieve 0 to nearly 100 kilometers per hour in under 1.6 seconds. The Thrust version includes rear thrusters that reduce acceleration time to less than 0.9 seconds. The Rocket variant, a single-seater, can take off and maneuver in the air, reaching speeds of almost 100 kilometers per hour in less than 0.59 seconds. Tesla also stated that the Roadster could exceed 370 kilometers per hour and offer a range of more than 480 kilometers on a single charge. However, these specifications have yet to be independently verified on production vehicles. Musk emphasized that the Roadster would be the last Tesla vehicle designed primarily for manual driving, as the company focuses increasingly on autonomous vehicles and robotics. He acknowledged that the Roadster might not be optimized for public road safety, raising questions about its regulatory approval for street use. Reservations for the Roadster variants with cold-gas thrusters require an initial payment of 5,000 euros, with an additional 245,000 euros due within ten days. For the Performance variant without thrusters, the reservation fee is 50,000 euros. Production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028, though Tesla has not specified how many units with cold-gas thrusters will be produced. The Roadster's technology involves compressed air stored at high pressure, which is expelled through thrusters to generate thrust. The vehicle also features suction systems beneath the body to enhance road grip. These systems allow the Roadster to maintain stability on the ground while enabling brief flights. During the presentation, the Roadster performed multiple aerial maneuvers, including flying over parked Tesla vehicles. All tests were conducted remotely without occupants aboard. Musk shared a video on social media accompanied by the caption, “It turns out the future does have flying cars.” Despite the impressive demonstration, some competitors and experts remain skeptical about the reliability of Tesla’s autonomous driving solution, which relies solely on camera sensors rather than more expensive laser radar systems used by other companies. Musk had initially announced the Roadster prototype in 2017, with a planned production start in 2020, but delays have pushed back the launch repeatedly. The presentation was originally scheduled for October 1 but was postponed due to bad weather. The event highlighted Tesla’s ongoing efforts to integrate aerospace technology into automotive design, reflecting Musk’s broader vision of merging space exploration with transportation innovation.