Musk says the new Tesla Roadster can fly. The demo shows a very impressive jump 🚗🚀

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Elon Musk is pushing the limits of what a car can do. At a livestreamed demo in Texas, Tesla showed a new version of its Roadster that, according to Musk, can fly thanks to thrusters inspired by SpaceX rockets. The car launched off a ramp, rotated in mid-air and landed back on the ground without damage. The crowd was thrilled, but big questions remain about safety, legality and when you will actually be able to buy one.

A demo straight out of a sci-fi movie 🎬

The event took place on the evening of October 15, 2026, at a SpaceX test site near Waco, Texas. Streamed live online, it drew a group of guests invited to see a two-seat sports car that its creator pitches as anything but ordinary.

To show what it can do, the car shot off a ramp, rotated on itself in mid-air, then landed on its wheels with the help of its thrusters. There was no driver on board, a precaution Musk joked about, saying he wanted to avoid killing anyone.

The clip, posted on Tesla’s X account, reportedly racked up several million views in short order. During the presentation, Musk described the Roadster as a car that can fly much like a rocket. He also warned that success was not guaranteed, though he said it would probably work.

Rocket-inspired thrusters 🚀

The Roadster’s defining feature is its ten nozzles, designed to produce high-pressure jets of air around the vehicle. The technology, inspired by propulsion systems developed at SpaceX, is meant to let the car pull off unusual movements and boost its performance.

According to Tesla’s figures, the car could go from 0 to 60 mph (about 97 km/h) in under one second and top 230 mph (roughly 370 km/h). Musk also claims the thrusters could improve grip, acceleration and cornering.

The billionaire is pitching a car that does more than fly: the propulsion system could also push past the limits of conventional performance cars. How and where those abilities could be used in practice remains an open question.

A 2028 release date 📅

After repeated delays, the Roadster has been awaited for nearly nine years. Musk now says factory production will begin in 2028. Treat that date with caution: he has announced launch dates for Tesla and SpaceX products before, and several slipped by years.

On Tesla’s website, you can already reserve one. The Performance version requires $50,000, while the Thrust variant, fitted with cold-gas thrusters, requires a $250,000 reservation. No final sale price has been announced. As for demand, Musk says public enthusiasm is there, even as the project’s success is far from certain.

Safety and legality are still open questions ⚖️

Despite the stunt, several obstacles could slow the Roadster’s arrival on public roads. Musk says the car will be able to drive on them, while acknowledging that it may not be legal everywhere.

Thrusters that generate high-pressure jets raise questions about driving conditions and safety. Musk did not detail the rules that will govern their use, or what the car will need to meet in each country.

That uncertainty matters more because the Roadster is pitched as a sports car with extreme performance. For now, the demo has mostly showcased spectacle. Whether the car ever reaches the road depends on development, production and regulatory approvals.

Between promises and reality: what still needs proving 🛣️

With this car, Musk wants to give a glimpse of a future where cars borrow more from space technology. But between technical promises, regulatory constraints and a timeline that still needs confirming, turning a demo into a car people can actually buy remains to be done.

Would you ride in a flying Roadster? Tell us in the comments.