Tesla unveils Roadster with SpaceX thrusters in flying stunt

Summary

Tesla unveiled its new Roadster in a stunt using SpaceX thrusters to make the vehicle appear to fly, Space.com reports. Reports describe the car driving up a ramp, flipping in mid-air and landing; at an event in Texas, Elon Musk claimed it was the world’s first flying car. The Verge calls the demonstration just for show, while Channel NewsAsia’s headline says the car will not land until 2028.

Timeline

1. Euronews

   16 Oct 2026, 06:25 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Musk said the Roadster has altitude-control and rear main thrusters that let it fly like a rocket.

2. Al Jazeera

   16 Oct 2026, 07:10 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Tesla unveiled an electric car that can drive upside down and use rocket-like thrusters to jump and turn mid-air.

3. Channel NewsAsia

   16 Oct 2026, 08:18 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that the Roadster raced upside down along a ramp, flipped in mid-air and landed on its wheels, while its headline says it will not land until 2028.

4. The Guardian

   16 Oct 2026, 11:53 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the Roadster 2 drove up a curved ramp at an event in Texas before using SpaceX thrusters to fly, flip and land, and that Musk claimed it was the world’s first flying car.

5. The Verge

   16 Oct 2026, 14:15 UTCSource ↗

   The Verge calls the flying Roadster just for show and recounts it driving vertically up a multi-story ramp, flipping over a lineup of Teslas and landing via cold-gas thrusters.

6. Space.com

   16 Oct 2026, 17:38 UTCSource ↗

   Space.com reports that Tesla unveiled its new Roadster in a stunt using SpaceX thrusters to make the vehicle fly.