Tesla unveils rocket-assisted Roadster with flight capability and sub-second 0-60 mph acceleration
Tesla presented a new two-seat Roadster that uses compressed-air thrusters and a suction-fan system to achieve flight maneuvers and a reported 0-60 mph time of 0.81 seconds, with production slated for 2028.
Tesla revealed a new version of its Roadster sports car at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas. The vehicle combines compressed-air thrusters and a ground-hugging fan system, allowing it to perform short flights, flips and rapid acceleration. During the demonstration the car completed a 0-60 mph run in 0.81 seconds, meeting Elon Musk’s target of sub-one-second acceleration.
"You can corner like it looks like you're breaking physics because the car sticks to the ground so hard. So, acceleration, cornering, it's going to crush every track record that has ever existed," Musk said.
The system uses ten rear thrusters that release air stored at high pressure in two 600-liter tanks, providing more than 80 kN of thrust. A suction fan beneath the chassis creates downforce that can exceed 2 g, improving grip at low speeds and enabling the car to drive upside down on a test track. An adjustable rear wing and adaptive aerodynamic settings further optimise performance.
Tesla’s vice-president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, confirmed that the flight demonstration was autonomous and that the thruster technology is optional and may not be legal in all jurisdictions.
"This will be an actual car that's on the roads. I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own," Musk added.
The company indicated that the production-ready model will be built starting in 2028, with a reservation system requiring an initial $5,000 payment followed by a $45,000 deposit. Pricing, battery capacity and range details have not been disclosed. The Roadster will be offered only in left-hand drive configuration.
Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen described the vehicle’s aesthetic as inspired by aerospace, noting that seats are molded into the chassis to reduce weight and that the car features a steering yoke, steer-by-wire controls and electronic brakes.
Musk hinted at future demonstrations, including a possible flight over the Snake River Canyon, and concluded with a remark about the car’s unconventional propulsion.
"Where we're going, you don't need tyres," he said.