Tesla used a launch event this week to unveil a new version of its long-delayed Roadster, drawing attention for a feature that sets it apart from any production car on the market: the ability to briefly take to the air.
At the event, chief executive Elon Musk showed footage of the vehicle using thrusters to lift off the ground and fly over obstacles, including a truck, during a demonstration. Video of the moment spread quickly on social media, with Musk later posting about the reveal online. The flight capability builds on ideas Musk has floated for years about equipping the Roadster with rocket-inspired propulsion, originally framed as a novelty option rather than a core feature of the car.
The Roadster itself has had a long and unusual path to market. Tesla first showed a prototype back in 2017 and has pushed back its release date multiple times since, making this week's event a milestone for a vehicle that has become something of a running joke among industry watchers for its repeated delays. The new demonstration appears aimed at renewing public enthusiasm for the car ahead of an eventual production timeline.
Investors responded positively in the short term: Tesla shares rose more than three percent following the reveal, a notable gain in a week when most technology stocks, and especially companies tied to AI infrastructure spending, were under pressure. The reaction suggests that, at least for now, splashy product demonstrations can still move Tesla's stock independent of broader market trends.
Tesla has not announced a firm production timeline or price for the new Roadster, and regulators have not weighed in on whether or how the flight feature could be used on public roads.
Can the flying Roadster be driven on public roads today?
No, there is no production timeline or regulatory approval yet; this was a prototype demonstration.
When was the Roadster first announced?
Tesla first unveiled a Roadster prototype in 2017, and its release has been delayed multiple times since.