On the evening of October 15th, Tesla officially unveiled its new generation of Roadster electric sports car at its testing base in SpaceX, Texas, USA. For the first time, it demonstrated the ability to achieve short-distance flight, hovering, and aerial attitude adjustment using compressed gas propellers. The vehicle also showcased an acceleration performance of 0 to 60 miles per hour (about 96.6 kilometers per hour) in just 0.81 seconds. CEO Elon Musk stated that mass production of the Roadster is planned to begin in 2028. Following the press conference, Tesla's stock price rose by more than 3% in after-hours trading, after having fallen by over 1% during regular trading hours.
Utilizing SpaceX to advance technology for short-distance flight
The new generation of Roadster is equipped with a cooling gas propulsion system developed in collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. This system generates thrust by releasing high-pressure gas without the need to burn fuel. During the on-site demonstration, Roadster accelerated down an arc-shaped ramp, completed a flip in mid-air, and used the gas propellers to adjust its posture, eventually landing on all four wheels.
Another demonstration showed the vehicle briefly leaping into the air and hovering, then crossing over multiple parked cars and a semi-trailer truck. Tesla refers to this feature as "short-term explosive flight" ( Short-burst flight ).
Vehicles can also utilize negative pressure to enhance grip and possess the ability to travel on vertical surfaces.
Zero to 100 km/h acceleration in about 0.81 seconds, Musk sets a target of up to 0.5 Mach
Roadster works in conjunction with a motor and a compressed gas propeller to achieve an acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 0.81 seconds during the demonstration.
Musk stated that future performance is expected to be further improved, and set a goal of achieving a top speed of 0.5 Mach, which is approximately half the speed of sound.
According to on-site information, Roadster can carry approximately 260 kilograms of compressed air and can replenish its gas reserves through an onboard automatic compressor.
However, the vehicles displayed this time are remotely controlled, and their related performance is still in the demonstration and research and development stage. Musk also acknowledged that Roadster is not designed with maximum safety as its primary goal, but emphasized that it will be a car capable of driving on roads in reality.
From the first preview in 2017 to mass production in 2028, the project has experienced multiple delays over the years.
As early as November 2017, Tesla announced its second-generation Roadster plan for the first time. At that time, it was touted to have a 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration time of 1.9 seconds, with a base price of $200,000.
There were several delays thereafter, and it was not until October 2026 that a formal new car demonstration was held, with mass production further scheduled for 2028.
This release comes at a time when Tesla's traditional automotive business is under pressure. Over the past two years, the company has faced challenges such as declining sales and intensified market competition, while Musk has continuously positioned artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and robotics as key areas for future growth.
The new generation of Roadster showcases the collaborative achievements of Tesla and SpaceX in advancing technology. However, whether its flying capabilities can meet actual mass production standards, and whether the mass production plan for 2028 can be realized on schedule, remain to be verified in the future.
