Tesla Roadster Event Recap: It Flies, Flips, and Hits 0-60 in 0.81S
Production is scheduled for 2028 with three trims, including an invite-only Rocket variant featuring a full flight system.
Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster at SpaceX’s rocket test site in McGregor, Texas, demonstrating the vehicle’s ability to drive upside down and perform mid-air flips. The event highlighted the supercar’s integration of SpaceX thruster technology and a new battery architecture, with Elon Musk describing the project as a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX.
What Happened
The reveal featured two primary stunts. First, the Roadster drove up an inverted half-loop ramp, adhered to it upside down, and then flipped out parallel to the ground. Compressed-air thrusters rolled the car upright, allowing it to briefly hover before landing. Musk noted the demo was conducted with the car driving itself to ensure safety, though he stated the final product will be the only manually driven Tesla. Second, the vehicle performed a "kickflip," launching over a row of Tesla models including the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, Cybercab, and Semi. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s VP of vehicle engineering, attributed the second stunt’s success to the car’s active aero and thruster systems.
Why It Matters
The Roadster’s performance metrics position it as a distinct outlier in the EV market. In a live test, the car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds, with Musk indicating production models could perform even better. Tesla claims the vehicle can reach speeds over 230 mph, with Musk expressing a long-term goal of approaching half the speed of sound. The car utilizes a new battery and drive unit delivering 1 MW of power, which Tesla says offers one-third more power than the Model S Plaid with half the mass. The inclusion of SpaceX compressed gas thrusters, housed in carbon-overwrapped pressure vessels, enables the flight capabilities and enhances track performance by providing up to 2 Gs of suction, significantly exceeding the ~1.26 Gs achievable by tires alone.
The Bottom Line
Tesla is offering the Roadster in three trims: Performance (0-60 under 1.6s), Thrust (0-60 under 0.9s), and Rocket (invite-only, 0-60 under 0.59s). Production is scheduled to begin in 2028. While final pricing has not been announced, reservations require deposits of $50,000 for the Performance trim and $250,000 for the Thrust trim. Musk admitted the vehicle’s flight features may not be legal in all jurisdictions.
