Tesla shows off next-generation Roadster with gravity-defying stunts and thrusters

Tesla has demonstrated its next-generation Roadster at SpaceX's testing facility in McGregor, Texas, staging dramatic stunts that included driving up a vertical ramp to hang upside down and briefly going airborne. Elon Musk stated the vehicle will enter production in 2028, with reservations priced at $50,000 for the base model and $250,000 for the high-end Thrust trim. [1][2]

The Roadster generates up to 2 g of downforce using a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing suction system alongside a retractable rear wing, allowing it to adhere to surfaces at any speed. To perform aerial maneuvers, the car uses cold-gas thrusters derived from SpaceX to propel itself into the air, rotate, and cushion its landing. While the road-going Performance model delivers 1,350 horsepower and roughly 300 miles of range, the fully thruster-equipped variant will be sold by invitation only. [1][2]

Fan-assisted ground effects have historical racing roots in cars like the 1970 Chaparral 2J and 1978 Brabham BT46, while McMurtry Automotive demonstrated similar upside-down suction technology on its Spéirling sports car. Deepwater Asset Management analyst Gene Munster characterized the high-profile reveal as an engineering showcase designed to highlight ties between Tesla and SpaceX, even as critics noted it lacks broader practical advancements for Tesla's core mass-market lineup. [1][2]