Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Roadster Prototype With Flying-Car-Like Features, Production Set for 2028
Tesla has showcased a redesigned prototype of its long-delayed second-generation Roadster, featuring integrated rocket thrusters and flying-car-like capabilities. Company CEO Elon Musk announced that production for the high-performance electric sports car is slated to begin in 2028, nearly nine years after the vehicle was first introduced.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the next-generation Roadster electric sports car, showcasing a prototype capable of brief airborne manoeuvres, mid-air flips and upside-down movement during a demonstration at a SpaceX facility in Texas. The unveiling on Thursday, October 15, revived interest in the long-delayed vehicle, with Tesla targeting production in 2028.
The demonstration featured the two-seater car travelling along a curved ramp, turning upside down and briefly lifting off the ground before landing. The vehicle also appeared to jump over other Tesla models, highlighting the experimental technology developed through collaboration between Tesla and Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX. Tesla Unveils Production-Intent Roadster As Elon Musk Targets 2028 Manufacturing Start.
Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Roadster With Flying-Car-Like Features
Roadster Event
Tesla Roadster Uses SpaceX-Inspired Thruster Technology
The prototype combines an electric sports car design with technology inspired by rocket propulsion. According to reports from the unveiling, the vehicle uses an underbody suction system to maintain contact with an inverted ramp, while built-in thrusters enable brief airborne movements and aerial manoeuvres.
Tesla executives demonstrated how the technology could allow the vehicle to perform movements beyond the capabilities of conventional road cars. However, the demonstration took place under controlled conditions, and questions remain about how the features would work in everyday driving. The legality and practical use of the airborne capabilities on public roads have also not been established. Elon Musk Reveals Reason Why Tesla Roadster Demonstration Was Delayed; Know What He Said.
Tesla Claims Acceleration From 0 to 60 MPH in Under One Second
Tesla has highlighted the Roadster's performance, claiming that it can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under one second. The company has also indicated a range exceeding 300 miles on a single charge and a top speed above 230 mph for the Rocket configuration.
These figures are manufacturer claims, and independent verification of the production vehicle's final specifications remains pending. The Roadster is being positioned as a high-performance electric sports car that showcases Tesla's engineering capabilities rather than a mass-market vehicle.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2026 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).