Tesla Reveals Next-Gen Roadster Featuring Hover Technology in Texas

Tesla officially introduced its much-anticipated next-generation Roadster on October 15, 2026, nearly ten years after the company began accepting deposits for the electric sports car. The unveiling event was held at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, close to Waco, and was broadcast live starting at 7:55 p.m. local time (8:55 p.m. ET).

Elon Musk appeared alongside Tesla's design chief Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy, vice president of vehicle engineering, to present the new Roadster. Musk promised an extraordinary reveal, describing the collaboration as a fusion of the world’s leading car company with the world’s top rocket company. The event offered a demonstration of the Roadster’s unique capabilities, including its ability to defy gravity.

The original Tesla Roadster, launched under the leadership of founding CEO Martin Eberhard, was based on a Lotus Elise chassis and first delivered to customers in 2008. Priced around $100,000, the original model was produced in limited numbers until 2012. The new Roadster aims to be a premium, low-volume model that incorporates SpaceX-inspired technology, including small rocket thrusters that allow the vehicle to hover and perform aerial maneuvers.

During the event, Tesla showcased a white Roadster racing up a curved ramp, then adhering to the track while upside down before launching into the air. The car executed a flip and hovered slowly before returning to the ground. Tesla’s timer recorded the two-seater accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in under one second, a feat demonstrated live by Moravy.

Musk announced that production for this next-generation Roadster is planned to begin in 2028. However, the company did not reveal pricing information or details about other potential performance variants. Reservations reopened recently with a $50,000 deposit required from buyers in the U.S., Canada, and China.

The concept of integrating SpaceX technology into the Roadster dates back to Musk’s 2017 announcements. He described a "SpaceX option package" featuring approximately ten small rocket thrusters arranged around the vehicle. These thrusters are intended to enhance acceleration, braking, and even enable limited flight capabilities. The prototype displayed on Thursday was designed to be lightweight and includes features such as steer-by-wire controls, a steering yoke, carbon overlay pressure vessels, diffusers, and powerful fans that assist with the car’s aerial stunts.

One notable omission from the new Roadster is Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. Musk stated that this will be the last Tesla designed primarily for manual driving, signaling a shift in the company’s future vehicle strategy.

Despite the Roadster’s impressive technological showcase, its impact on Tesla’s overall finances is expected to be limited, as it remains a niche, high-end product. The vehicle’s development has been delayed repeatedly since the initial 2017 reveal. Musk had predicted a demo before the end of 2025, which did not materialize. The prolonged timeline has drawn criticism, including from high-profile individuals such as OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, who publicly expressed frustration over the wait and eventually received a refund.

However, some customers have remained committed. Lawrence O’Connor, CEO of Other World Computing, reserved a Founder's Edition Roadster in 2017 and described his deposit as an "interest-free loan" of $250,000. He attended the unveiling and praised the vehicle as "off the charts."

Tesla is set to announce its third-quarter financial results shortly after the event, providing further insight into the company’s performance amid ongoing innovation efforts. The Roadster’s reveal highlights Tesla’s ambition to blend automotive engineering with aerospace technology, pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle capabilities.