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Tesla Debuts 2026 Roadster ‘Flying’ Electric Sports Car

5:06 PM ETConfirmed

Technology Desk

In Short: Select Car Leasing (United Kingdom) reported that the Roadster drove upside down on a ramp, flew back down to the floor, and performed a barrel roll over a group of other Teslas, while Iphoneincanada (Canada) noted that the car flew over a lineup of its own vehicles during the demonstration.

During a livestreamed event at SpaceX's facility in McGregor, Texas, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the company's long-awaited second-generation Roadster, which features SpaceX technology to enable it to fly. Musk demonstrated the car's capabilities by showing it flying from a ramp, flipping midair, and accelerating from zero to 60 mph in less than a second, according to Fox Business and CBS News.

The Roadster's multi-mode suction system, which pulls air out from beneath the vehicle, provides enough suction to hold the car upside down, even when stationary, according to Musk. The Thrust trim, a limited release version, will feature seating for two and its multi-mode suction system paired with cold-gas thrusters, resulting in an under-1-second 0-60 mph time, as reported by AOL.com.

Tesla also said that the car will feature a range of more than 300 miles and a redesigned steer-by-wire system with a steering yoke, according to CBS News. However, the range estimate was downgraded from 600 miles to 300 miles, as noted by The Verge.

Musk stated that the production version of the Roadster would “hopefully” travel up to 230 miles per hour, though he hoped to “crack halfway to the speed of sound”—around 385 mph, according to WIRED and Carexpert (Australia).

Despite the impressive demonstrations, some outlets questioned the practicality of the flying car. The Verge noted that calling this a “car reveal” or viewing the flying Roadster as a real product that can be purchased by an unaffiliated third party stretches the definition beyond recognition.

While the outlets reported different aspects of the demonstration and the car's features, they all agreed that the second-generation Roadster, featuring SpaceX technology, was unveiled during a dramatic event at SpaceX's facility in McGregor, Texas.

The event showcased the car's flying capabilities, high-speed acceleration, and advanced technology, leaving audiences in awe.

Despite the impressive demonstrations, the practicality and commercial viability of the flying Roadster remain uncertain.

The event was a significant update from the initial 2017 concept debut, with the car now featuring SpaceX technology to enable flight.

Background

What's confirmed

• “Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk said in the post.
• The multi-mode suction system, according to the automaker, is a “downforce generator” that pulls air out from beneath the vehicle, providing enough “suction to hold the vehicle upside down, even when stationary.” CEO Musk, during the launch event, said that the Roadster will enter production in 2028.
• “Today, Roadster presents a new moment in history – the best of the last human-driven cars.” This was the first of several posts detailing the electric sports car, following a 30-minute live stream in which Elon Musk unveiled the vehicle.
• Tesla executives said the vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in one second.

What's still developing

• Musk said the car was equipped with "ultra high-pressure air tanks" to propel itself into the air.
• Elon Musk becomes world’s first trillionaire from SpaceX's record IPO Move over, Waymo & Tesla: Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis begin charging riders in Las Vegas Tesla delivers earnings surprise—TSLA stock soars after Q1 2021 earnings beat Musk said production is expected to begin in 2028, eight years after Tesla’s original delivery target.
• In another demonstration, the Roadster launched over a lineup of cars and a semi-truck, performing a midair flip before landing safely on the other side.
• The Tesla Roadster made its debut eight years after it was first announced.
• Minutes later, it sped away with a 0.81-second 0-60 mph time, according to Tesla, which is more than a second faster than the company’s current fastest time with the now-discontinued Model S Plaid.
• Published 16 October, 2026, 12:55 BST | Updated 16 October, 2026, 17:24 BST The original Roadster, revealed way back in 2006, catapulted Tesla into the limelight and a follow up model was initially due to be unveiled in 2020, before delays happened.
• In a truly jaw-dropping unveiling at a SpaceX facility near Waco, Texas, the Roadster drove upside down on a ramp, flew back down to the floor, and then performed a barrel roll over a group of other Teslas with the ease of skateboarder Tony Hawk doing a kickflip up a kerb.
• The first-generation Roadster debuted in 2008, but the second-generation is a major upgrade from that.
• These aircraft use several smaller electric motors and propellers to carry up to four passengers between 20 and 150 miles, sometimes autonomously.
• Tesla just showed off something you don’t normally see at a car launch: a Roadster flying over a lineup of its own vehicles.
• Tesla lists a $7,000 CAD payment due immediately, which is fully refundable, followed by another $63,000 CAD within 10 days.
• The long-awaited second-generation Tesla Roadster has finally been scheduled to go into production, in 2028 – over a decade after it was revealed in concept form – and the US electric vehicle (EV) maker has demonstrated the latest iteration of its electric sports car in a series of flying stunts at the SpaceX test centre in McGregor, Texas today.

Sources

• AOL.comlink
• CBS Newslink
• Chicago Star Medialink
• Fox Businesslink
• NBC Newslink
• Select Car Leasinglink
• The Vergelink
• Tomorrow's World Todaylink
• WIREDlink
• Iphoneincanadalink
• WIREDlink
• Carexpertlink
• Fox Businesslink
• Businessinsiderlink
• Newsweeklink
• WarpBeat — background on Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster with SpaceX Thrusters link
• carwow — video link