The Tesla Roadster SpaceX demo just turned electric sports car theater into a spectacle. On Thursday night in Texas, Tesla showed its long-awaited second-generation Roadster driving upside down, barrel rolling and hopping over cars. According to a report from CNET.COM, the stunts relied on SpaceX thruster and suction technology.
Tesla Roadster SpaceX Stunts Versus Reality
Few halo cars have been this delayed. The 2017 concept promised a 1.9-second 0-60 time, 620 miles of range and production by 2020. That deadline slipped as Elon Musk shifted focus from robotics to robotaxis to politics. Our earlier coverage of the nine-year wait tracked that slide.
The Tesla Roadster SpaceX prototype looks nothing like that curvaceous concept. Its angular, Cybertruck-inspired coupe leans on suction fans for wall driving and ten cold gas thrusters for its aerobatics. On paper, that is spectacle. In reality, it looks like a remote-controlled mule with just enough battery for the show.
| ⚙️Engine / Powertrain | Electric (motor layout not disclosed) |
| 🐎Power Output | Not disclosed |
| ⚡Peak Torque | Not disclosed |
| ⏱️0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 0-60 mph in 1.0s (Tesla claim), 0.81s with thrusters |
| 🚀Top Speed | Not disclosed |
| 🔄Drivetrain / Gearbox | Electric / AWD (est.) |
| 💰Starting Price / Est. | $50,000 reservation, final price TBA |
Can a Human Actually Drive It?
Tesla says the underbody can generate up to 2Gs of suction. The windows, however, appeared completely opaque, hinting at no cockpit at all. Aerobatics also seem implausible for a long-range EV carrying hundreds of pounds of battery.
Still, the business case matters more than the choreography. A street-legal flying car would face brutal regulatory headwinds. Expect these stunts to remain closed-course theater.
Performance Claims Carry a Heavy Asterisk
According to Tesla, the Tesla Roadster SpaceX could hit 0-60 mph in 1 second, or 0.81 second with thrusters. It also claims more than 2 g of lateral grip. Every figure is self-reported and unverified.
Even so, the invite-only Rocket trim is positioned as the true halo. Its limited production makes it a collector play rather than a volume product.
The 2028 Reality Check
Musk says three trim levels will arrive, including the Rocket Roadster. Production is targeted for 2028, and reservations already open at $50,000. Tesla has not revealed final pricing or updated range estimates.
Ultimately, this is a showcase for the cross-owned Musk ecosystem of Tesla, xAI and SpaceX. Speculatively, early Rocket reservations could command collector premiums long before a single one reaches a public road.
Liam Campbell
Industry Intelligence & News Editor at Auto News Magazine. Tracking prototype spy shots, Nürburgring development mules, automaker corporate moves, and breaking global automotive scoops.
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