Flying Tesla Roadster Unveiled: 0 to 100 km/h in Under a Second

Tesla has finally unveiled its long-awaited second-generation Roadster, and this electric sports car has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. It can accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in under a second, drive upside down, and even jump into the air. Yes, you read that right!

Tesla showcased the new Roadster at SpaceX’s testing facility in Texas, USA. The event gave us a look at its wild technology, updated design and performance figures after nearly nine years of waiting.

Flying Tesla Roadster: What Happened At The Event?

Tesla decided that an ordinary car launch wasn’t exciting enough. During the demonstration, the Roadster climbed a curved ramp, drove upside down, flipped through the air and landed safely on its wheels.

Tesla Roadster Flies Over Five Parked Vehicles

Tesla had another surprise during the event. The Roadster used its SpaceX-developed thrusters to launch into the air and fly over five parked Tesla vehicles, including the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, Cybercab and Semi truck. It even performed a mid-air flip before landing safely on its wheels. The stunt showed how the Roadster’s thrusters can help control its movement in the air. Now that’s one way to beat traffic!

However, the Roadster cannot fly continuously like an aircraft. Special equipment lets it make short jumps and control its movement in the air.

How Does The Flying Tesla Roadster Work?

The Roadster uses cold-gas thrusters, which release highly compressed air to push the car in different directions. Think of them as tiny rocket engines, but without burning rocket fuel.

The top-spec Rocket version uses 10 thrusters and tanks holding 600 litres of compressed air. These help the car lift off, turn in mid-air and land.

A powerful fan system sits underneath the car. It pulls air away from the underside, creating suction that helps keep the tyres firmly planted. This system is strong enough to let the Roadster drive upside down under controlled conditions.

Tesla Roadster Performance & Range

• The new Roadster uses two electric motors driving the rear wheels. Higher-spec versions are expected to produce around 1,350 hp.
• Tesla claims a top speed exceeding 370 km/h and a driving range of more than 480 km. It is also targeting charging from 15% to 80% in under 15 minutes.
• During the event, Tesla demonstrated a 0–97 km/h run in 0.81 seconds. However, this result has not been independently verified.

For comparison, check out our list of the fastest electric cars in the world.

Tesla Roadster Variants

The Roadster is expected to have four versions:

• Standard: Entry-level version with an estimated 1,073 hp.
• Performance: Around 1,350 hp, with an advanced suction system.
• Thrust: Adds four rear thrusters for extremely quick acceleration.
• Rocket: Gets 10 thrusters, one seat and the ability to perform short airborne jumps.

Tesla is targeting a 0–97 km/h time of just 0.59 seconds for the Rocket version.

Exterior Design & Interior

The new Roadster looks every bit like a futuristic supercar. It features a low body, sharp headlights, upward-opening doors, a removable roof and an active rear wing.

Inside, a simple two-seat cabin features a central touchscreen, yoke-style steering, and digital controls. The Rocket version replaces the passenger seat with extra equipment for its flying system.

Tesla Roadster Price & UAE Availability

Tesla has not announced the final Roadster price or a UAE launch date. Reservations in the US currently require deposits of approximately AED 183,625 for Performance and AED 918,125 for Thrust. These are booking deposits, not the final vehicle prices.

When Will The Tesla Roadster Launch?

Tesla is targeting production in 2028, with deliveries expected afterwards. Tesla originally announced the second-generation Roadster in 2017, with deliveries initially planned for 2020. After several delays, the latest demonstration shows how far the project has come. However, the Rocket version remains unsuitable for public roads, and it still needs further testing and approvals.

Editor’s Take

A car that drives upside down and flips through the air? That’s one way to make an entrance! Tesla has certainly delivered an exciting demonstration. Now comes the difficult part: turning this impressive prototype into a car customers can actually buy. We are guessing the Roadster might take more time to hit the streets and AIR! 

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