Tesla Unveils ‘Flying’ Roadster in US After Years of Delays, Targets 2028 Release
AUSTIN, Texas: Tesla has unveiled a redesigned version of its long-delayed next-generation Roadster, featuring experimental thruster technology that allows the electric sports car to perform brief airborne manoeuvres. The company is targeting 2028 for production, according to reports published on October 15 and 16, 2026.
The unveiling took place at a SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas, where the vehicle demonstrated unusual manoeuvres, including a brief lift into the air and an aerial rotation. The demonstration has renewed interest in Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s long-standing ambition to incorporate rocket-inspired technology into high-performance road vehicles.
Despite being described as a “flying car” in headlines, the Roadster remains an experimental electric sports car rather than a conventional aircraft designed for sustained flight.
SpaceX technology behind the flying Roadster
The new Roadster features technology associated with SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company. Reports describe a system involving thrusters and additional equipment designed to help the vehicle perform unusual movements.
The demonstration highlighted the possibility of combining electric vehicle engineering with aerospace technology. However, the final production specifications and the extent to which the demonstrated features will be available to customers have not been fully established.
Tesla targets 2028 production after repeated delays
The next-generation Roadster was first announced in 2017, but its development and expected launch have faced repeated delays.
Tesla is now targeting 2028 for production of the redesigned model. The timeline remains a future target rather than confirmation that customer deliveries will begin in that year.
The project has attracted attention from enthusiasts who have waited years for the high-performance electric sports car. Its latest unveiling has renewed expectations, although the vehicle’s eventual commercial availability remains subject to further development.
Impressive performance claims
According to reports about the unveiling, Tesla has claimed that the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in approximately one second when its thrusters are engaged. The company has also cited a potential top speed of around 230 miles per hour.
These figures are reported performance claims and should not be treated as independently verified production-vehicle results. Tesla has not publicly established all final specifications, including the new model’s battery capacity and final pricing.
Questions remain over road legality
The vehicle’s experimental features also raise questions about whether the Roadster will be permitted on public roads in every jurisdiction.
Musk acknowledged during the presentation that legal requirements could vary by location. A vehicle capable of performing airborne manoeuvres faces different technical and regulatory considerations from a conventional road car.
Authorities would need to assess applicable vehicle safety standards and other requirements before the production model could be approved for public-road use in different markets.
A glimpse of future automotive technology
Tesla’s latest Roadster demonstration illustrates the company’s continued interest in pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance. The project also highlights the technical and regulatory challenges involved in bringing experimental aerospace-inspired systems to consumer vehicles.
For now, the redesigned Roadster remains a highly anticipated project with a stated production target of 2028. Its final capabilities, pricing, regulatory approvals and delivery schedule will determine whether the experimental features demonstrated in Texas become part of a commercially available vehicle.
