The new Tesla Roadster has made its debut, with the US automaker showcasing the sports EV’s ‘flying’ capabilities with a jaw-dropping stunt. Watch the video below…
Following an extensive delay, the new Tesla Roadster made its official global debut in the US on 15 October 2026. Revealed at the SpaceX development and testing facility in McGregor, Texas, the sports EV is expected to go into production in 2028, with deliveries following shortly thereafter. Now, while there’s still a couple of years to go before the new Roadster’s market launch, that didn’t stop the US automaker from “launching” the car…and we’re not talking about a traditional 0-100 km/h straight-line launch.
Equipped with SpaceX components, the new Roadster’s cold-gas thrusters not only support forward acceleration — 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in “under” 1 second, the company claims — but allows it to literally launch into the air. So, to quote “Doc” Brown from the 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Tesla does, however, make it clear that this function has not been approved for public road use.
This rocketship-like function features in the appropriately named Rocket variant. This invite-only model features a single-seat cabin layout. A Thrust derivative, which goes without this function, will also be available.
The new Roadster’s cyberpunk design incorporates a variety of active aerodynamics. The latter includes wings that adjust automatically to enhance traction across different driving environments and a multi-mode fan arrangement, which sucks air from underneath the car to generate downforce. This system works not only when the car is on the move, but also when stationary. In addition, engaging ‘Track’ mode lowers the suspension setup to adjust the centre of gravity when cornering at high speeds.
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