The Future Has Officially Arrived: Tesla’s Flying Roadster Price, Specs & Release Date
Updated October 16, 2026
The future has officially arrived, or at least it just jumped over a row of Teslas.
Is Tesla’s flying car real? Tesla’s new Roadster, unveiled October 15, 2026, at an event near Waco, Texas, can use SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters to jump and flip through the air. It has not demonstrated sustained flight, Tesla has not announced a price, and production is targeted for 2028.
Tesla Roadster at a Glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Reveal date | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| Location | Event near Waco, Texas |
| Versions | Performance, Thrust, and Rocket |
| Reservations | $50,000 (Performance), $250,000 (Thrust), Rocket invite only |
| Price | Not announced |
| Production target | 2028, per Elon Musk |
| Flight | Jumps and flips demonstrated; sustained flight not shown |
| Road approval | Rocket version listed as “Not approved for public road use” |
What Did Tesla Unveil on October 15?
Tesla showed the production version of its second-generation Roadster at an evening event in Texas. According to The Washington Post, the car performed a midair flip and reached 0 to 60 mph in less than a second. The car drove up a curved ramp with no driver, hung upside down, and then used its thrusters to leap over a row of Tesla vehicles. The event had originally been planned for October 1 and was moved after a severe weather forecast for Waco. Tesla said the event could only be held outdoors.
The thrusters run on compressed air rather than rocket fuel. Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, said they use about 600 liters of rechargeable compressed air, as reported from TechCrunch. Tesla also reported 300 miles of range and top speeds above 230 mph on all three versions, according to The EV Report.
What Are the Three Versions of the Roadster?
| Version | Seats | What it adds | 0–60 mph claim | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | Base car with fan-assisted grip | Quicker than the 1.9 seconds Tesla promised in 2017 | Reservation |
| Thrust | 2 | Rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters | Under 0.9 seconds | Limited release |
| Rocket | 1 | Thrusters around the perimeter for upward and rotational movement | Under 0.59 seconds | Invite only |
Source: Electrek and Tesla’s figures as reported at the event.
How Much Does the New Tesla Roadster Cost?
Tesla has not announced a price for any version. It is taking reservations instead:
| Version | Reservation | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | $50,000 | $5,000 due now (described as fully refundable), $45,000 within 10 days |
| Thrust | $250,000 | Limited release |
| Rocket | Not available to the public | Invite only |
Tesla’s reservation agreement says any estimated price “is only an estimate” and that a reservation does not constitute the purchase or order of a vehicle.
When Can You Buy It, and Can It Fly on Public Roads?
Elon Musk said production will begin in 2028. The Roadster has a long history of shifting dates:
| When | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Tesla promises a 1.9-second 0–60 mph time, per Electrek |
| 2020 | Originally announced market launch, six years before the reveal, per electrive |
| 2022 | Reservations reopen, per electrive |
| September 12, 2026 | Tesla announces an October 1 reveal with the caption “Go for launch” |
| September 28, 2026 | Reveal moved to October 15 because of a severe weather forecast, per TechCrunch |
| October 15, 2026 | Production Roadster revealed with cold-gas thrusters |
| 2028 | Production target announced by Musk |
According to one report, October 15 was the sixth reveal date Tesla or Musk had set for the car in 2026. Tesla’s website lists the rocket-equipped version as “Invite Only” and “Not approved for public road use,” according to The Washington Post. The demonstration also did not show sustained or long-range flight. For now, the Roadster is best understood as a very fast electric sports car with an extraordinary demo, not a vehicle you can take off in.
Is This the First Flying Car? San Diego Has Been Dreaming of One Since 1947
The idea of a flying car is older than most people realize, and San Diego has a place in the story. In November 1947, Convair test pilot Reuben Snodgrass flew a prototype flying car, the Convair Model 118 ConvAirCar, around San Diego, according to Simple Flying. Three days later, on a one-hour demonstration flight, it made a forced landing near San Diego. A second prototype flew in 1948, and Convair then cancelled the program, per the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, who designed the Autoplane in 1917, is often credited as the inventor of the flying car. In 1911 he established a flying school at North Island on San Diego Bay and made the first seaplane flight there, a history the museum tells in its Birthplace of Naval Aviation exhibit.
What Does a Car Like This Mean for Luxury Homeowners?
For homeowners, the Roadster’s practical side is the part within reach: a two-seat electric sports car with a reported 300-mile range, which means garage space and home charging. Homes in San Diego’s luxury communities, from Rancho Santa Fe to Del Mar, are often built with this in mind, including generous garages for collections and, increasingly, solar and battery systems. One example is 17940 Avenida Alondra in the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant, which comes with solar and two Tesla batteries. The flight-capable versions are not approved for public roads, and Tesla has not announced a path for that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tesla’s flying car real?
Tesla unveiled a Roadster with SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters on October 15, 2026, and it jumped and flipped through the air in a demonstration. Sustained flight was not shown, and the flight-capable version is not approved for public roads.
Can the new Tesla Roadster fly?
The Roadster’s thrusters let it leap and flip, but Tesla did not demonstrate sustained or long-range flight. The single-seat Rocket version, which adds perimeter thrusters, is invite only and is described by Tesla as “air ready.”
How much does the new Tesla Roadster cost?
Tesla has not announced a price for any version. Reservations are $50,000 for the Performance version and $250,000 for the Thrust version, and the Rocket version is invite only.
When will the Tesla Roadster be released?
Elon Musk said production will begin in 2028. The Roadster has missed earlier targets, including an originally announced market launch in 2020.
How long has the Tesla Roadster been delayed?
The second-generation Roadster’s market launch was originally announced for 2020, six years before the October 2026 reveal. Production is now targeted for 2028, according to Elon Musk.
How fast is the new Tesla Roadster?
In the demonstration, the Roadster reached 0 to 60 mph in less than a second. Tesla claims under 0.59 seconds for the Rocket version and top speeds above 230 mph on all versions, according to figures reported at the event.
What is the Tesla Roadster Rocket?
The Rocket is the single-seat version of the new Roadster with thrusters positioned around the perimeter for upward and rotational movement. Tesla claims 0 to 60 mph in under 0.59 seconds, and the version is by invitation only.
Where was the Tesla Roadster unveiled?
Tesla unveiled the production Roadster on the evening of October 15, 2026, at an outdoor event near Waco, Texas. The event was originally scheduled for October 1 and moved because of a severe weather forecast.
Has a flying car ever flown over San Diego?
Yes. In November 1947, Convair test pilot Reuben Snodgrass flew the Convair Model 118 ConvAirCar, a prototype flying car, around San Diego. A second prototype flew in 1948.
Looking for a home with room for your collection, solar and battery storage, or space for what comes next? Contact the Jason Barry Team to explore luxury homes across San Diego’s most sought-after communities.