Tesla Unveils Next-Generation Roadster With Mid-Air Barrel Roll Demo
The new model features SpaceX-developed thrusters and a suction system allowing it to drive upside down, with a projected launch in 2028.
Tesla has officially revealed the design and capabilities of the next-generation Roadster, showcasing extreme performance features during a product demonstration that included a mid-air barrel roll and a jump over a Tesla Semi.
What Happened
During the event, Tesla drove the prototype onto a half-pipe to demonstrate a fan-based suction system capable of holding the car upside down. According to Lars Moravy, Tesla's VP of Vehicle Engineering, this system provides up to 2G of suction. The vehicle then performed a mid-air barrel roll using cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX, landing on all four wheels without a driver inside. Additionally, the car cleared the 13.5-foot-tall Tesla Semi by nearly double its height. The top-trim "Rocket" version includes 10 thrusters and is available by invite only, while other trims, such as the Performance and Thrust editions, vary in thruster configuration but all include the suction system.
Why It Matters
The unveiling highlights Tesla's continued focus on pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance and engineering novelty, positioning the Roadster as a halo product rather than a volume seller. Musk described the vehicle as taking the "fun meter to 11 out of 10," though he noted it is not necessarily safety-optimized. The inclusion of SpaceX-developed thrusters and the ability to drive upside down distinguishes this model from competitors, but the advanced technology raises questions about street legality, which Tesla's team admitted may be questionable. For buyers, this represents the last manually-driven car Tesla plans to make, according to Musk.
The Bottom Line
While the Roadster's design and stunt capabilities have been revealed, availability remains distant. Tesla stated the car is scheduled to launch in 2028, a timeline that may be optimistic given the company's history of missing announced product dates. Customers interested in the "Rocket" trim must secure an invitation, while the Performance and Thrust versions offer different levels of thruster integration.
