Tesla pulled the wraps off its latest Roadster at a dramatic event in Texas, revealing an electric vehicle that can literally launch itself into the air and perform stunts that left the audience stunned.
A Collaboration Between Cars and Rockets
Speaking from SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, near Waco, Elon Musk set expectations sky-high before the vehicle even appeared. “You’re going to see crazy things tonight. What you’re about to see with your own eyes, you won’t believe,” he told the crowd, describing the unveiling as “the result of the collaboration between the best car company and the best rocket company.”
The presentation opened with a spectacle befitting that promise. The Roadster charged up a 15-metre curved ramp, clinging to the track at the summit with its wheels pointed at the sky before detaching, rotating in mid-air and landing back on the ground using cold-gas thrusters capable of generating up to 2 g of force — all enveloped in a vast cloud of smoke.
Stunts and a Record-Breaking Sprint
A second stunt saw the car propel itself over a line of Tesla vehicles stretched across seven metres, completing a full mid-air spin along the way.
To achieve such feats, the vehicle carries two high-pressure carbon tanks inherited from SpaceX technology, holding a combined 600 litres — equivalent to 250 kg of compressed air. The Roadster can also deploy a rear spoiler.
The car further distinguished itself in a timed acceleration test, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.81 seconds. Musk announced a top speed of 370 km/h, expressing hope of going “much faster” in future.
Three Versions, Many Unknowns
Three variants have been announced — Performance, Thrust and Rocket — offering different levels of performance and speed.
- The model can be reserved in France via Tesla’s official website with a deposit of €43,000.
- No final price, release date, range or battery specifications have been disclosed.
- The Roadster represents Tesla’s most ambitious attempt yet to merge automotive and aerospace engineering.
For now, the flying Roadster remains a striking demonstration of what Musk’s companies can build together — even as the practical details of owning one stay firmly grounded.
