Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls

Elon Musk debuted the new Tesla Roadster during an outdoor presentation near Waco, Texas, featuring a live demonstration where the vehicle utilized high-powered fans and thrusters to navigate an inverted ramp, execute a spin, and land smoothly on the pavement. The sports car also leveraged its onboard thrusters to lift itself directly over a moving line-up of Tesla vehicles, including a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3.

According to the company, all three trim levels of the upcoming sports car will deliver a 300-mile driving range alongside top speeds surpassing 230 miles per hour. The aesthetic overhaul of the vehicle was striking, presented in a crisp white finish with sharp, angular geometry reminiscent of a Lamborghini or the iconic Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me—an actual vehicle owned by Musk that was placed on display at the event.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Tesla also noted in a separate statement that the updated styling drew primary inspiration from the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft and the F-35 fighter jet. Furthermore, Musk discussed the possibility of attempting to jump the vehicle across the Snake River Canyon, the famous gorge where Evel Knievel previously tried to leap using a steam-powered rocket.

The showcase took place nearly nine years to the day after Tesla originally surprised audiences by revealing the second-generation Roadster at the conclusion of the Tesla Semi launch event in 2017. At the time, the automaker invited buyers to secure reservations with $50,000 deposits, while some enthusiasts paid up to $250,000 to lock in one of the 1,000 limited Founders Series slots.