Tesla Unveils SpaceX‑Powered Roadster Capable of Flying, Landing, and Accelerating in One Second
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Tesla’s New Roadster Showcases SpaceX Thrusters in Texas Reveal
At an outdoor presentation near Waco, Texas, Tesla CEO Elon Musk demonstrated a second‑generation Roadster equipped with SpaceX‑derived cold‑gas thrusters. The prototype climbed an inverted ramp, performed a mid‑air spin, and settled back onto the pavement. It also hovered over a lineup of other Tesla models while in motion, illustrating the vehicle’s ability to lift and maneuver with its propulsion system.
“This will be the actual car that’s on the roads,” Musk said of the vehicle, which Tesla showed accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in one second.
Musk has called the new Roadster “the best of the last of the human‑driven cars.”
Three Trims: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket
Tesla plans to offer the Roadster in three configurations. The Performance version is described as road‑ready, seats two, includes active aerodynamics and a multi‑mode suction system for enhanced handling. The Thrust trim is race‑ready, also seats two, and adds rear‑mounted cold‑gas thrusters that enable acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under one second. The Rocket edition is air‑ready, seats a single driver, and is fitted with ten cold‑gas thrusters positioned around the chassis. All trims share a 300‑mile electric range and can exceed 230 mph.
Pricing and Reservations
Tesla began accepting deposits on its website on Thursday. A $50,000 reservation secures a Performance model, while $250,000 reserves a Thrust version. The Rocket trim will be offered on an invitation‑only basis.
Engineering Details: 600 Liters of Compressed Air and COPV Tanks
“Every usable void in the car is packed with Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs),” Tesla wrote on X, noting that the same vessel type has been linked to past SpaceX rocket failures.
Vice President of Engineering Lars Moravy explained that ten thrusters draw from a 600‑liter compressed‑air tank that can be recharged. The air tank and thrusters together enable the vehicle’s lift, spin, and rapid acceleration capabilities.
Historical Timeline and Repeated Delays
The Roadster project was first teased in 2017 as a surprise at the Tesla Semi unveiling, with initial delivery promises set for a few years later. Musk first mentioned adding thrusters in 2018, envisioning a “SpaceX option package.” However, production challenges with the Model 3, followed by the Model Y and Cybertruck launches, pushed the Roadster to the back of the queue. The vehicle’s debut was postponed in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. In late 2024 Musk said the reveal would happen by the end of 2025; a week later at a shareholder meeting he moved it to April 1, 2026, joking that an April Fools’ event would provide “deniability.” Severe weather later forced another postponement.
Prominent customers voiced frustration over the years, including tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee and OpenAI chief Sam Altman, who questioned whether the announcement was a prank.
Market Position and Safety Stance
Musk framed the Roadster as a halo vehicle rather than a revenue driver, stating that safety is not its primary objective. “If safety is your number one goal, do not buy the Roadster,” he said on a podcast earlier this year, adding that Tesla would “aspire not to kill anyone in this car.” He compared the car’s purpose to that of a Ferrari, emphasizing performance over safety.
Design Inspiration and Visuals
The newly revealed Roadster features a stark white, angular silhouette reminiscent of a Lamborghini and the Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me—a car Musk owns and displayed at the event. Tesla said the styling draws from the SR‑71 reconnaissance aircraft and the F‑35 fighter jet, reflecting an evolution from the earlier “S3XY” language to the current Cybertruck and Optimus designs.
Future Ambitions: Snake River Canyon Jump
During the presentation Musk suggested the Roadster might attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon, echoing Evel Knievel’s historic steam‑powered rocket crossing attempt.
