Overview
- Tesla unveiled the new Roadster at a live event in McGregor/Waco on Thursday, October 15, 2026, showcasing a two‑seat sports car the company says can perform controlled in‑air maneuvers.
- The car is fitted with ten SpaceX‑derived cold‑gas thrusters that Tesla says are designed to boost acceleration, braking and cornering and to stabilize the vehicle during hops and rolls.
- In filmed demonstrations the Roadster launched from a 15‑meter ramp, executed a full barrel roll and landed without visible damage, and Tesla used a mannequin rather than a human driver for the stunt.
- Tesla opened reservations online with large deposits — $50,000 for a Performance model and $250,000 for a Thrust model — and announced a 2028 start to production while withholding a final sale price.
- Regulators and safety agencies have open questions: the FAA says the vehicle does not meet its definition of an aircraft, the NHTSA says safety rules must be met, and officials and experts are awaiting details on road homologation, airspace rules and environmental impact.