Tesla unveils flying Roadster, with production set for 2028

Tesla unveiled a new Roadster on Oct. 15 that used compressed-air thrusters to lift off a ramp and fly over other vehicles during a livestreamed demonstration at a SpaceX test facility near Waco, Texas, with production planned for 2028.

CEO Elon Musk said at the event that “flying cars are real,” adding that the car’s success “is not guaranteed” but “it will probably work,” CBS News reported. Tesla has not announced a price. Its website says the flying version is not approved for use on public roads.

Updated Oct. 16, 2026, 11 a.m. MT. The story is developing and details come from Tesla’s own claims.

The car drove up a ramp that curled over so it was upside down, then flew off the end, rolled in the air and landed on its wheels, CBS reported. TechCrunch reported that the car also used thrusters to lift over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y and Model 3.

Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice-president of engineering, said the flight system uses 10 thrusters connected to 600 litres of compressed air that can be recharged, according to TechCrunch.

Tesla said all trims will have a top speed above 370 km/h and a range of about 480 km. It said the fastest version accelerates from zero to 97 km/h in less than one second. None of those figures has been independently verified.

Tesla described three versions. The Performance trim is billed as road ready. The Thrust trim is billed as race ready and adds rear-mounted thrusters. The Rocket trim, with one seat and the full flight system, is invite only.

Tesla’s website opened reservations on Thursday. Outlets reported different deposit amounts, so they are not repeated here. Musk said Tesla will build the car in 2028. Tesla first showed a second-generation Roadster in 2017 and has delayed it several times since.

The vehicle is described as SpaceX-powered. Musk said the car came from close work between Tesla and SpaceX engineers. TechCrunch reported that Musk also said “safety is not the main goal” for the car.

Analyst Dan Ives of Yorkville Ives said in a research note that the Roadster will not materially change Tesla’s volume or revenue and that investors should not treat it as a growth driver. He said it restores the brand at the top of the market. Tesla is to report third-quarter earnings on Oct. 21.

The reveal drew heavy interest in Canada, where Quebec outlets including La Presse, Le Journal de Québec and Le Guide de l’auto covered it on Friday. La Presse said Musk was showing off a “flying” Tesla “without guaranteed success.”

Tesla’s Canadian plans for the car were not announced. Canadian road rules for any flying vehicle have not been addressed by the company.

The Roadster is a niche, high-priced halo product at a time when electric vehicles are growing in Canada. Zero-emission vehicles made up 13 per cent of new vehicle sales in August, as we reported. Musk has also been in the Canadian news recently, when Prime Minister Mark Carney rebuked him over comments about Quebec. Self-driving technology is another area drawing Canadian attention, with Waymo planning a Toronto robotaxi service for 2028.

Reporting via TechCrunch and CBS News. Tesla’s reservation page and specifications are at tesla.com/roadster.

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