Elon Musk unveils new Tesla Roadster prototype, says will redefine urban travel

October 16, 2026

New Delhi: Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Friday unveiled a new version of his Roadster sports car. During a demonstration at a SpaceX facility in Texas, the prototype briefly levitated off the ground.

Roadster flies in the air during demo

A social media post shared by Musk on X showed the demonstration. The car travels on an elevated, curved track, then flies for a short distance before landing safely on the ground. The demonstration reignited discussions surrounding the concept of a flying car.

Turns out the future does have flying cars https://t.co/6fexPp6SXI

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 16, 2026

However, videos of the demonstration were later shared by the company itself on social media. This is the electric vehicle manufacturer’s latest attempt to revive the project, which was announced nearly a decade ago.

The car is equipped with a special propulsion system

In addition, the demonstration showcased a special propulsion system that combines an electric vehicle platform with high-pressure air tanks and thruster technology.

According to Tesla, this system can generate airborne capabilities and improve the vehicle’s speed and balance with the help of strategically placed thrusters.

Company officials expressed enthusiasm after the successful test. They described the demonstration as a sign that flying car technology is moving closer to reality.

However, Tesla did not provide a timeline for making this feature commercially available.

Furthermore, Musk stated that the vehicle would remain practical for everyday use. However, he acknowledged that legal permission to operate it on roads may depend on local regulations.

0 to 60 mph in less than a second

In addition, a separate demonstration took place at the event, in which the Roadster accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second. This figure could make it one of the fastest production-oriented vehicles ever demonstrated.

Tesla stated that the vehicle is expected to have a driving range of approximately 300 miles and a top speed of over 230 mph.

The company has previously introduced the Roadster as its flagship performance model, designed to demonstrate the limits of electric vehicle technology’s capabilities.