The new Tesla Roadster is an electric sports car that uses SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters, powered by compressed air, to briefly lift off the ground, roll in midair and land on its wheels. Elon Musk revealed it on October 15, 2026, at a SpaceX test facility near Waco, Texas, telling the livestream audience that "flying cars are real."
What happened at the reveal
In a livestreamed demo, a remotely operated Roadster drove upside down along a curved ramp, launched into the air, rolled 180 degrees and landed on its wheels. It then used its thrusters to hop over a lineup of Tesla vehicles. A mannequin rode in the driver's seat, a nod to the "Starman" that rode the original Roadster into space in 2018.
- How it flies: about 600 liters of rechargeable compressed air feeding 10 thruster nozzles, according to Tesla engineering VP Lars Moravy.
- How it grips: a fan-driven suction system that pulls the car to the road, an idea borrowed from 1970s race cars.
- Claimed performance: 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds in testing, a top speed over 230 mph and more than 300 miles of range.
- Production: Musk says production begins in 2028.
The three Roadster versions
- Roadster Performance: the "road ready" two-seater, with 0 to 60 mph promised under 1.6 seconds. Reservation: $50,000 ($5,000 up front, the rest within 10 days).
- Roadster Thrust: adds rear thrusters for sub-one-second acceleration. Reservation: $250,000. It is unclear whether any state will allow it on public roads.
- Roadster Rocket: the flying single-seater from the demo. Invitation only, no public price, and Tesla says it is not approved for public road use.
Final prices have not been announced, and Tesla's reservation agreement says it cannot guarantee when, or if, a vehicle will be delivered.
Who regulates a flying car?
That question does not have a clear answer yet. The FAA told CBS News the Roadster does not meet its definition of an aircraft, and NHTSA largely relies on automakers to self-certify safety. The Transportation Department said NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
Why this matters for connectivity
The Roadster is a halo car, built to show what Tesla and SpaceX can do together, and it lands one week after SpaceX announced plans to make Starlink Mobile a major U.S. phone carrier. The common thread is clear: vehicles, phones and devices are expected to stay connected everywhere, on the highway, at the track and far from the nearest cable line.
You do not need a flying car to get there. RETNetworks travel and mobile internet routers give RVs, work trucks, job sites and road trips unlimited 4G LTE and 5G internet with no contract, from 60 dollars per month, or rent a hotspot from 17 dollars per day for a single trip or event.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Tesla Roadster really fly?
The Roadster Rocket can briefly lift off, roll and land using compressed-air thrusters. Tesla showed short aerial maneuvers, not sustained flight, and has not said how long or how far it can stay airborne.
How much does the flying Tesla Roadster cost?
Tesla has not announced final prices. Reservations are $50,000 for the Roadster Performance and $250,000 for the Roadster Thrust. The flying Roadster Rocket is invitation only.
When will the new Tesla Roadster be released?
Elon Musk says production will start in 2028, but Tesla does not guarantee a delivery date.
Is the flying Roadster street legal?
No. Tesla says the Rocket version is not approved for public road use, and it is not yet clear whether the Thrust version will be legal on public roads in any state.
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Sources: CBS News, Fortune, Kelley Blue Book.