Sky-high: Tesla’s next-gen Roadster could be first flying car—plans to enter production in 2028

Tesla used a dramatic Texas demonstration to present its long-delayed next-generation Roadster, showing the electric sports car flying from a ramp, flipping in midair and accelerating from zero to 60 mph in less than a second, according to Fox Business. The event revived Tesla’s promise of a high-performance vehicle while raising questions about its cost, production schedule and future road use.

At a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, the Roadster used compressed-air thrusters to lift off a curved ramp and land safely, Fox Business reported. Tesla also showed the vehicle jumping over a lineup of cars and a semi-truck before completing another midair maneuver.

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A SpaceX-powered performance showcase

“Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive and SpaceX’s co-founder, said at the event, as reported by Fox Business. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, added, “Flying cars are real.”

According to Yahoo Finance, the system uses cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX technology. Tesla said the thrusters generate far more force than the tires can deliver, allowing unusually quick acceleration. Some versions are expected to exceed 230 mph, Fox Business confirmed, while Tesla’s demonstration showed the car reaching 60 mph in under one second.

Tesla has described several versions of the vehicle. The Performance model is intended for road use, while the Thrust model adds acceleration thrusters. An invitation-only Rocket version is designed as a single-seat vehicle with a full flight system, per Yahoo Finance.

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Reservations open as regulatory questions remain

Musk said production is expected to begin in 2028, eight years after Tesla’s original delivery target. The company has not announced final selling prices, production volume, or a manufacturing site.

According to Fox Business, Tesla’s reservation page lists $50,000 in payments for the Performance version and $250,000 for the Thrust version. The Rocket model is available only by invitation, and its reservation amount was not disclosed.

The flying features are not approved for ordinary public-road use, Yahoo Finance said. Transport analysts cited in the source coverage said wider adoption would face high costs, complex aircraft rules, pilot requirements and crowded airspace, particularly as drone use grows.

Analysts described the demonstration as a powerful branding event but questioned its commercial value. The Roadster’s most likely buyers may be wealthy enthusiasts, while Tesla faces pressure to turn costly technology projects into stronger profits.