Tesla’s latest event showcased its second-gen Roadster, a vehicle teased for almost a decade, with new capabilities such as flying short distances, driving upside down, and reaching 60 miles per hour in a second.
During the livestream, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, chief designer Franz von Holzhausen, and VP of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy demonstrated various capabilities of the second-gen Roadster. The first demo showed the vehicle driving up a large ramp, eventually reaching a vertical position before continuing overhead onto a horizontal, upside-down road.
The vehicle generates over 4,700kg of downforce at the peak of the stunt, using a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing system to draw air out and create suction on the road. It then intentionally fell off the road and flipped over, using cold-gas thrusters installed at the bottom of the car. These see the vehicle spin in mid-air, much like a stunt plane, and thrust again to cushion its fall for a safe landing.
Another demo showed the vehicle using its thrusters to fly across a distance of five vehicles, including a 13-and-a-half-foot-tall Tesla Semi, a Cybertruck, and three other cars. The performance looked like something you’d expect from stunt entertainers like Evel Knievel.
The Roadster 2 reaches over 26 feet in the air through its cold-gas thrusters, spins once in mid-air, then uses the same tech to land safely. The Tesla representatives describe it as “the kickflip” in reference to the skateboarding move.
Both of these functions are demonstrated in a model called Roadster Rocket, which Tesla intends to sell through an invite-only system. Tesla says, “Air ready with seating for one. Features a multi-mode suction system paired with cold-gas thrusters positioned around the perimeter of the vehicle that support forward and upward acceleration as well as lateral rotational movement. So yes, it can fly.”
This version of the car won’t be approved for public road use, and it’s unclear if it ever will be. Think of this as one of Tesla’s experimental cars.
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However, you can purchase a different version called the Thrust. Tesla says it will go on sale in a “limited release” and is now available to reserve. This version has seating for two and uses rear cold-gas thrusters to hit 0-60 miles per hour in one second.
You can reserve the vehicle now for $5,000, with an extra $45,000 due within 10 days. Tesla’s reservation terms and conditions state that the final purchase price has yet to be determined. It says, “We are still working on what options, features and hardware the vehicle will have and so cannot confirm the exact price just yet. Your Purchase Price will ultimately be confirmed once you’ve configured your vehicle.”
It also confirms you will receive a full refund of your payment if you cancel your reservation. Tesla says production for the Roadster won’t begin until 2028.
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