Tesla’s "Flying" Roadster Stuns In Texas

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Tesla demonstrated a "flying" Roadster in Texas (Credit: Tesla.com)

American car manufacturer Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster at a live event at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, on October 15, 2026. To showcase the car's capabilities, the company put an uncrewed prototype through a series of dramatic stunts that looked straight out of a science-fiction movie.

In its first stunt, the car drove up a steep, curved ramp and stayed upside down briefly before reversing back down. On its second run, it drove up the ramp again and launched off the top. It then used its thrusters to flip upright in midair before landing on its wheels. Minutes later, the car leaped over a row of parked Tesla vehicles.

"Turns out the future does have flying cars," said Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The technology behind the stunts

The Roadster prototype was specially equipped with two systems to perform these stunts. Powerful fans beneath the car created suction, holding it against the steep track even when it was upside down.

To become airborne, the car used high-pressure air tanks and small thrusters developed with SpaceX. The thrusters released air at high speed to push the car upward and helped control its movement in the air. This allowed the car to flip and land back on its wheels.

No "flying" cars yet

Exciting as the demonstration was, automotive experts say that drivers should not plan on leaping over traffic jams any time soon. The event was just a controlled test operated by remote control not a preview of an everyday car.

After the event, Tesla announced that standard, road-legal versions of the new Roadster are expected to enter production in 2028. As for the flight-capable Roadster, aptly called the Rocket, Tesla says it will be offered by invitation only. The company also notes that this version is not approved for public road use.

Resources: Tesla.com, CNN.com, Wired.com.


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124 Comments
  • turntochrist
    I wish I could have that car.🤩
    • dog1987
      dog19874 days
      This is ai no cars can do that it is sooooo ai like the gravity like gravity is not going to to be there it is not like it won't be there
      • xxpokefanxx
        xxpokefanxxabout 15 hours
        Also not everything is AI. If you didn't know, Elon Musk, the guy who literally sent his Tesla into SPACE to prove a point, is the one who created the prototype.
        • datinykid21
          gravity is everywhere bro, the fans under the car just suck out the air beneath the car, currently upside, which creates suction, keeping the car upside down
        • cr7taaha
          cr7taaha4 days
          good thing this car dosen't exest in india otherwise it would crash it to the wires
          • luisgamercool23
            Just imagine how easy it would be to escape the police with this
            • gray_rider37
              It would probably be very complicated to do a kick flip manually without the auto pilot.
              • username92
                • 104976
                  1049764 days
                  I also agree with cr7, you would have to go through a whole new drivers Ed if you want to fly it
                  • 104976
                    1049764 days
                    guys, the baseline price for the public is 250K for the weaker model
                    • lviwolf
                      lviwolf4 days
                      my class literally made our own dogo news papers and stuff before this passege came out!
                      • gimomuny-178837561177
                        That's really cool, I wonder how it would be like to be inside of the car while it flips. :)