Tech · October 16, 2026
Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with style
On October 15, 2026, Tesla held a demonstration event for its second-generation Roadster at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas. The event featured the electric supercar using high-powered fans and cold-gas thrusters to drive up a ramp, briefly hover, and perform a mid-air flip. Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a new production target for 2028 and showcased a design influenced by the Lamborghini and fighter jets. The vehicle features a 0-60 mph acceleration time of approximately one second, achieved through a collaboration with SpaceX engineers. Despite the spectacle, the car faces questions regarding its road legality, safety, and the impact of its decade-long development timeline on its competitiveness.
Read the original coverage
- TechCrunchTrade
Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with style | TechCrunch
Read at TechCrunch ↗ - The VergeTrade
The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a second
Read at The Verge ↗ - WiredTrade
The Tesla Roadster 2 Is Here—and It Flies
Read at Wired ↗ - EngadgetTrade
Tesla Roadster reveal live: Updates from the launch of the next-gen sportscar - Engadget
Read at Engadget ↗ Tesla Debuts 2026 Roadster, an EV Sports Car at Least $200,000
Read at The New York Times ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- The event took place in Texas at a SpaceX facility.
- The Roadster demo involved the car driving up a ramp and performing mid-air maneuvers using thrusters.
- Tesla's new production target for the Roadster is 2028.
- The car achieved a 0-60 mph time of approximately one second.
- The vehicle uses cold-gas thrusters and compressed air tanks (COPVs).
- Elon Musk stated that safety is not the primary goal for this specific vehicle.
- The Roadster was first revealed nine years prior, in 2017.
Reported by only some outlets
- The Roadster will be available in three versions: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
- The car's air tank uses Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs), which have been linked to previous SpaceX rocket explosions.
- The 0-60 mph time was specifically clocked at 0.81 seconds during the demo.
- Top speed is reported to be at least 235 mph.
- Tesla’s VP of energy and charging resigned on the day of the event.
- The original $50,000 deposit from 2017 is estimated to be worth over $68,000 in 2026 dollars.
Industry-friendly coverage frames it as…
Coverage highlights the 'halo car' status, the 0-60 mph performance under 1 second, and the technical collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX as a peak of engineering innovation.
Skeptical / consumer coverage frames it as…
Outlets emphasize the 'vaporware' history, the safety risks of thrusters, the lack of pricing, and how competitors like Rimac and Porsche have already surpassed Tesla's original 2017 specs.
Numbers that differ
- 0-60 mph acceleration: Wired and TechCrunch report 1 second; Engadget reports 0.81 seconds measured at the event.
- Deposit Value: Wired notes the 2017 deposit of $50k is worth $68k in 2026; Engadget discusses $250k downpayments for specific models.
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