Tesla Unveils New Roadster That Jumps Mid-Air With SpaceX Rocket Tech

Tesla has unveiled the next-generation Roadster at a dramatic event in Texas, where the electric sports car jumped into the air and rotated before landing back on the ground. The display relied on thruster technology inspired by SpaceX rockets — and CEO Elon Musk was there to present it. Production is targeted for 2028. This isn't a facelift. It's a statement.

How Does the Tesla Roadster Jump in the Air?

Two separate systems make it work. The first is a set of underbody fans that pull air and generate downforce, boosting grip at high speeds and through corners. During the demo, this system let the car drive upside down on a curved track — a stunt no production EV has attempted publicly before.

The second system handles the jump and rotation. It uses compressed-gas thrusters inspired by SpaceX, built around 10 nozzles connected to two tanks with a combined capacity of 600 liters. These thrusters generate force in multiple directions, allowing the car to rise, rotate. Control its movement mid-air without conventional rocket fuel. That 600-liter figure is the clearest signal yet of how physically large this setup really is.

Long Delays and a 2028 Production Target

The Roadster timeline has been complicated for years. Tesla now says production will begin in 2028, following repeated delays since the second-generation model was first announced. No final price, battery specification, or range figure was confirmed at the event. The project is alive — but the details remain thin.

What was shown places the Roadster in a class of its own. Rival electric performance cars like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT focus on conventional acceleration and handling. Tesla is pushing toward three-dimensional movement on the road. That raises practical questions about daily usability, safety. How regulators will treat a car that can leave the ground.

What This Means for the EV Market

The tech may look like a spectacle, but it points to a broader shift toward integrating advanced propulsion systems into electric vehicles. The underbody fan system, for instance, has real potential for improving stability and aerodynamics. Tesla has not disclosed pricing for the new Roadster, nor battery or range figures. The confirmed numbers so far: 10 nozzles, two tanks, 600 liters, and a 2028 production target. Incomplete? Yes. Enough to keep the Roadster on every enthusiast's radar? Absolutely.