Yes.
No car company has ever put a rocket on a production car and said “yeah, we’re going to sell this.”
Until last Thursday.
Tesla just unveiled the second-generation Roadster at SpaceX‘s rocket test facility in McGregor, Texas — and it doesn’t just drive. It flies, it hovers, it drives upside down, and it jumps over a row of Teslas doing a barrel roll.
Using SpaceX rocket technology, the angular sports car climbed a curved ramp and hurled itself to a controlled landing. Later, it leapt over five other Tesla vehicles while twisting in the air.
Let’s break down why this is actually insane.
What Just Happened in Texas?
On October 15th, 2026, in front of a crowd of reservation holders who paid $250,000 nine years ago, Tesla showed a white prototype doing things cars aren’t supposed to do:
1. It drove upside down.
Using an underbody vacuum suction system, it stuck itself to a curved ramp and drove inverted, like a race car with infinite downforce.
2. It flew.
During a presentation in Waco, Texas, the Roadster used cold-gas thrusters to fly over other parked Tesla vehicles and even perform a barrel roll.
3. It jumped a row of cars.
In a second stunt, the Roadster jumped clean over a row of Tesla vehicles — a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Semi, Model Y, and Model 3 — flipping as it cleared them before using its thrusters to stabilize and land.
4. It did a kick flip.
Tesla VP of Engineering Lars Moravy called it a “kick flip” — the car launched, rotated mid-air, and landed on all four wheels, thrusters firing white smoke the whole time.
The demo car was operated remotely with nobody inside. For obvious reasons.
How Does It Work? Cold-Gas Thrusters.
This isn’t Jet Fuel. It’s not combustion.
During the Thursday showcase, the Roadster was propelled by a set of cold gas thrusters, similar to those of a rocket.
Think SpaceX’s attitude control thrusters: high-pressure air stored in Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) in the back, released through nozzles hidden behind the license plate, under the taillights, and behind the front wheels.
- No fire, just a blast of cold, high-pressure air — that’s the white smoke you see in the video.
- The thrusters give it up to ∼2 tons of extra thrust.
- Combined with the vacuum fan that sucks the car to the ground, it can do three things no other car can: push down for insane grip, push up to jump, and twist in mid-air to control its landing.
Tesla says the car reached 60 mph in a claimed 0.81 seconds, which would make it the quickest production car in the world. With thrusters on, it’s not even competing with Bugatti anymore. It’s competing with a dragster.
Is This Street Legal? Probably Not The Flying Part.
Musk acknowledged that it is uncertain whether the flying capabilities will be street legal.
You can have a car that does 0-60 in 0.81s and passes NHTSA. You cannot have a car that fires rocket thrusters on public roads next to pedestrians. The FAA, NHTSA, and every insurance company will have to invent a new category for “road car that can fly 20 feet.”
Musk’s idea: The base Roadster is street-legal. The SpaceX Package with thrusters is an optional track package — like buying a race car that can also drive to the track. You can use the hover on private property, show off the jump at events.
The Numbers Everyone Is Asking
- Production: Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the Roadster would enter production in 2028. Nine years late, but finally real.
- Price: No purchase price was announced at this event. Originally $200,000 base, $250,000 Founders Series. Expect $250k-$300k now.
- Range: Original target was 620 miles. With thrusters? Probably less if you use them.
- Top Speed: Original claim 250+ mph. No new number yet.
Is This The Most Insane EV Ever?
Let’s compare:
Rimac Nevera — 1,914 hp, 0-60 in 1.85s. Insane, but stays on ground.
Lotus Evija — 2,000 hp, $2.3M. Insane, but stays on ground.
Bugatti Chiron — 1,500 hp, W16 engine. Insane, but stays on ground.
Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package — Drives upside down, jumps over a Semi, does a barrel roll, hovers.
Nothing else even tries.
The demonstration was held before a crowd of Tesla enthusiasts at a SpaceX rocket test site. That tells you everything. This isn’t a car launch. It’s a SpaceX tech demo with four wheels.
Tesla’s Roadster Returns with Rocket Technology. During the event, the vehicle showcased SpaceX-developed thruster technology, which allowed it to perform a “jet-assisted” jump over a row of vehicles and hover briefly.
Is it practical? No.
Is it safe for your commute? No.
Is it the most insane electric sports car ever built?
Absolutely. And Musk knows it. As he posted after the demo: “Turns out the future does have flying cars.”
Do you want the base Roadster that goes 620 miles, or the SpaceX one that jumps over traffic?
Because Tesla is finally going to make you choose in 2028.
