Tesla has unveiled a radical new Roadster capable of performing airborne manoeuvres using SpaceX-derived propulsion technology, bringing aerospace engineering into the world of high-performance electric vehicles.
At Move It Magazine, our passion extends beyond heavy lifting and exceptional transport. We are fascinated by engineering, innovation and everything that pushes the boundaries of movement. And when a sports car combines electric performance with rocket-inspired technology, it certainly deserves our attention.
Unveiled on 15 October at SpaceX’s testing facility in McGregor, Texas, the next-generation Tesla Roadster demonstrated capabilities rarely associated with a road-going vehicle.
The prototype used integrated thrusters to launch into the air, rotate and land, while a powerful suction system enabled it to travel upside down along a specially designed ramp.
Developed through collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, the technology uses high-pressure gas propulsion to generate thrust independently of the vehicle’s wheels. Unlike conventional rocket engines, cold-gas thrusters do not rely on fuel combustion, opening up possibilities for extraordinary acceleration, braking and vehicle manoeuvrability.
Tesla also demonstrated acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in approximately one second, with an even faster claimed run of 0.81 seconds. The new Roadster is expected to exceed 230 mph (370 km/h), although its final production specifications remain subject to confirmation.
First introduced in 2017, the second-generation Roadster has undergone years of development and repeated delays. Production is now targeted for 2028.
While the airborne demonstrations represent a remarkable engineering achievement, they do not establish the Roadster as a conventional flying car capable of sustained flight. Road legality, operational restrictions and the availability of these capabilities on customer vehicles remain unresolved.
For Move It Magazine, the significance extends beyond the vehicle itself. Combining automotive engineering with aerospace propulsion challenges established ideas about traction, vehicle control and the limits of ground transportation.
Whether the Roadster ultimately transforms high-performance motoring or remains an extraordinary technological showcase, one thing is certain: this is engineering designed to move things differently.
Credit photo: Tesla
