Tesla has finally unveiled its long-delayed second-generation Roadster, and it can do something no production car has done before: leave the ground on purpose.
At a livestreamed event at SpaceX's test site near Waco, Texas, on Thursday night US time, the Roadster drove up a curved ramp, hung upside down, launched off the end, flipped in mid-air and landed on its wheels. In a second run it hopped over a Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, Semi and Cybercab.
Reservations are already open in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Production is planned for 2028.
Key takeaways
- It can fly, in short bursts. The top "Rocket" version uses cold-gas thrusters around the car to lift, rotate and hop. Tesla's own page says: "So yes, it can fly."
- It can drive upside down. A fan-powered suction system holds the car to a surface, even when it is stationary.
- Three versions: Performance (road car), Thrust (rear thrusters, 0-60 mph in under one second) and Rocket (invite-only, one seat, full flight system).
- GCC reservation: AED 20,000 today plus AED 190,000 within 10 days in the UAE. The same structure applies in riyals in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- No price yet. Tesla has not announced what the car will cost.
- Not road-approved in flight form. Tesla says the flying version is not approved for public road use.
Watch the Tesla Roadster ramp demo
Tesla's official video shows the ramp run from start to finish, including the upside-down section and the flip.
What happened at the Tesla Roadster unveiling?
Elon Musk and Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, presented the car in front of a live crowd. Musk said an audience was needed to prove the demo was real and not computer-generated.
The demonstration had two parts:
- The ramp: the Roadster accelerated up a curled ramp, stayed attached while fully inverted, launched off the end, rolled 180 degrees and landed.
- The jump: using its thrusters, it cleared a line-up of five Tesla vehicles, including the Semi truck.
According to Euronews, Musk's reaction after the first run was simply "Well, it worked." Tesla also showed the car reaching 60 mph in under one second.
How can the Tesla Roadster fly?
The Roadster does not fly like a plane or a helicopter. It uses two systems that Tesla developed with SpaceX engineers.
1. A fan-powered suction system
Fans pull air out from under the car while a ground seal keeps it in. Tesla says this creates enough suction to hold the Roadster upside down, even when it is not moving.
- Moravy said the system can pull up to 2 g.
- On a track, it works as a downforce generator, with high-downforce and low-drag modes.
- A Track Mode lowers the car and changes the suspension setup.
2. Cold-gas thrusters
Instead of burning fuel, the thrusters release very high-pressure air. All-electric actuators make tiny adjustments in a fraction of a second to keep the car stable in the air.
- TechCrunch reports Moravy said 10 thrusters are connected to 600 litres of compressed air, and the tanks can be recharged.
- Tesla says the air is stored in carbon-fibre overwrapped pressure vessels, the same type of tank used on SpaceX rockets.
- On the Thrust version, rear thrusters are used for straight-line acceleration. On the Rocket version, thrusters around the whole car allow upward movement and rotation.
In practice, this means short, controlled hops and flips, not long-distance flight.
Tesla Roadster trims: Performance, Thrust and Rocket
Tesla is selling the Roadster as one base car with optional "augments".
| Version | Seats | Key hardware | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | Active aero and multi-mode suction system | By reservation |
| Thrust | 2 | Adds rear cold-gas thrusters, 0-60 mph in under 1 second | Limited release |
| Rocket | 1 | Adds thrusters around the car and a full flight system | Invite only, not in all regions |
Tesla describes the three versions as "road ready", "race ready" and "air ready".
Tesla Roadster specs: what Tesla has confirmed
- 0-60 mph: under 1 second (Thrust version)
- Range: more than 300 miles (about 480 km), as reported by TechCrunch and Euronews
- Top speed: above 230 mph (about 370 km/h), per the same reports
- Steering: steer-by-wire with a yoke
- Materials: magnesium, titanium and carbon fibre to cut weight
- Controls: manual controls and a fixed seat position, both chosen to save weight
Tesla has not published battery size, power output or weight. Treat the range and top speed figures as manufacturer claims until independent tests are possible.
Design and cabin
The design is sharp and angular, with hidden headlights, a full-length taillight and flush aerodynamics. Tesla says it took inspiration from aircraft such as the SR-71 and F-35.
- Ano White paint: inspired by coatings that protect rockets from UV, extreme cold and corrosion.
- Gold Glazed windows: tinted to look like the gold coating on a spacesuit visor.
- Ultrawhite cabin: grey microsuede details and grippy seat bolsters.
- Screens: a centre touchscreen plus two smaller displays ahead of the driver.
How much does the Tesla Roadster cost in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar?
Tesla has not announced a price. What it has published is the reservation structure, and it is now live on its GCC websites.
- UAE: AED 20,000 due today, then AED 190,000 within 10 days (Tesla UAE)
- Saudi Arabia: SAR 20,000 today, then SAR 190,000 within 10 days
- Qatar: QAR 20,000 today, then QAR 190,000 within 10 days
- United States: US$5,000 today, then US$45,000 within 10 days
That puts the full GCC reservation at 210,000 in local currency, or roughly US$57,000 in the UAE. The US total is US$50,000.
Read the terms before you pay:
- Tesla labels the first payment as fully refundable. The page does not describe the second payment the same way.
- Your reservation can be cancelled if the second payment is not made within 10 days.
- Tesla says refunds for modifications will not be issued.
For the Thrust version, TechCrunch and Fox Business reported a US$250,000 reservation in the US. Tesla's GCC pages list it as a limited release, and the Rocket version as invite only.
Is the flying Tesla Roadster legal on public roads?
Not in its flying form. Tesla's own page states the Rocket version is not approved for public road use.
Regulators are not sure where it fits either. The US Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News the vehicle does not meet its definition of an aircraft. It is still unclear which agency would oversee its flight features.
In the GCC, any new model must pass each country's vehicle approval process before it can be registered. Tesla has not said how, or whether, the Rocket version would be approved here. The UAE is already testing frameworks for this kind of technology, such as Ras Al Khaimah's flying car regulatory sandbox with ARIDGE.
When will the Tesla Roadster be delivered?
Musk said Tesla plans to build the Roadster in 2028. That date deserves caution.
- 2017: Tesla first showed the second-generation Roadster, promising deliveries in 2020 and a base price of around US$200,000.
- 2017 reservations: buyers paid US$50,000 deposits, and 1,000 Founders Series cars were sold at US$250,000.
- 2020 to 2024: the launch was pushed back several times.
- 2025 and 2026: new targets of late 2025, then April 2026, were missed. An October 1 demo was postponed because of bad weather.
Some early reservation holders have waited almost nine years. A 2028 production start would make it more than a decade from reveal to delivery.
What is still unproven?
- Real flight: the demo showed hops and flips. Sustained, controlled flight has not been shown.
- Safety: TechCrunch reports Musk said safety is not the main goal of this car, and buyers who put safety first should not buy it.
- Price: there is still no confirmed price for any version.
- Approval: no regulator has approved the flying version for public use.
- Timing: Tesla has missed every Roadster delivery target so far.
Analysts also see it as a brand statement more than a business. Tech analyst Dan Ives told CBS News the Roadster will not move Tesla's volume or revenue in a meaningful way, but it restores the brand's "halo" at the top of the market.
What it means for GCC buyers
The Gulf is one of the world's biggest markets for hypercars, and Dubai in particular is a supercar capital. Tesla has already opened reservations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, a sign it expects strong demand here.
- If you want one early: reserving now secures a place in the queue, but delivery is unlikely before 2028.
- If you want the flying version: Rocket is invite only and not available in all regions, so check with Tesla before assuming it will be offered locally.
- If you are comparing hypercars: without a confirmed price, power figure or weight, it is too early to judge the Roadster against established supercars on paper.
One of the cars the Roadster jumped over was the Cybercab robotaxi, a reminder that Tesla is pushing driverless cars and this driver-focused car at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Can the new Tesla Roadster really fly?
Only the invite-only Rocket version is designed to leave the ground. It uses cold-gas thrusters for short hops, flips and rotations. Tesla has not demonstrated sustained flight.
How much is the Tesla Roadster in the UAE?
Tesla has not announced a price. The UAE reservation is AED 20,000 upfront plus AED 190,000 within 10 days, for a total of AED 210,000.
How fast is the Tesla Roadster?
Tesla says the Thrust version reaches 60 mph in under one second. Reports from the launch put the top speed above 230 mph (about 370 km/h).
When will the Tesla Roadster be available?
Elon Musk said production is planned for 2028. The Roadster was first promised for 2020, so delays are possible.
Is the flying Roadster street legal?
No. Tesla states the flying Rocket version is not approved for public road use. The US FAA also said it does not meet its definition of an aircraft.
