The Tesla Roadster 2 Is Here—and It Flies

On Thursday night, Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk revealed what has been described as the company's final human-driven automobile. The Tesla Roadster 2 serves as the eagerly awaited successor to the original Roadster electric vehicle. At a demonstration event held at SpaceX's rocket facility in McGregor, Texas, the new car astonished onlookers with a jerky blast of steam, propelling it into the air.

At one point, the vehicle even lifted above Tesla's entire lineup, hovering several feet above their electric semi-truck. Executives from Tesla disclosed that the car could achieve a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in a mere 1 second. Musk, however, clarified that the vehicle is not optimized for safety. The Tesla fans who had been eagerly anticipating the vehicle since its initial announcement in 2017 were thrilled to see the "flying" car come to life.

The technology behind the car's ability to fly is attributed to four thrusters, according to Tesla's vehicle engineering head, Lars Moravy. Musk announced that Tesla plans to enter production for the Roadster 2 in 2028, six years later than the initial 2020 timeline set by the company. Despite initially promising delivery in 2020, enthusiasts had to put down a $50,000 deposit for the $200,000 car, an amount that equates to over $68,000 in 2026 dollars.

Some fans became impatient and had to cancel their reservations, receiving a refund within 24 hours, as Musk confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk has also stated that Tesla should no longer be considered a car manufacturer, emphasizing the company's focus on autonomous vehicle technology and robotics. The unveiling of the Roadster 2 took place at an unusual time for electric vehicles, as sales in the US have slowed following the GOP-led Congress's decision to eliminate federal support.

Meanwhile, electric luxury hypercars are facing a challenging market, as wealthy buyers increasingly seek the power and sound of traditional gas-powered vehicles. Notably, luxury automaker Lamborghini shelved plans to produce an electric version of their sports car earlier this year. This is an ongoing story, and updates can be expected.