Tesla’s "Flying" Roadster Stuns In Texas
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
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.

Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
124 Comments
- cilelagagila9 daysWow man this car would up crash rates by 50%😀
- devlin20169 daysits crazy how they made a flying car using air ?/
- sophia03139 daysI never expected it to be like this.
- ibelieveingod9 dayshey what does everyone think Elon will invent next?
- godismysavior6 daysI dont known.....probably something crazy!
- zigoherajyse9 daysA flying boat
- hupypivyjaza9 daysFlying planes.
- zycujamyvuwe6 daysguys this is so dangerous
- ibelieveingod9 daysthat is so amazing
- lore_acuratecz9 daysthey making flying cars now bro 💨
- niamduhgreat9 daysElon musk just woke up one morning and asked for a flying car lol it is really cool tho I hope it will be street legal when it comes out
- bestgreenone9 daysI LOVE THIS CAR AND WHEN I SAW IT I INSTANTLLY CHOSE IT
- trevor13659 daysThis is so cool but I would rather stay on the ground
- trechroyy8 daysyea I want a car to fly but not do a flip
- godismysavior6 daysyea me too
- jonetysujise9 daysWOW! This is crazy I can't believe that they made a flying car! I guess everyone was true.




