Tesla Roadster gets flying demo in Texas, Musk names 2028 as production target
Elon Musk reportedly showed a Tesla Roadster in Texas with a short flying demo at a SpaceX test site. Musk said it uses SpaceX thrusters.
- The demo was said to be remote-controlled and included several stunts, including a jump off a ramp and a landing after rocket-assisted movement.
- Musk said the Roadster uses SpaceX thrusters and named 2028 as the production target, while also acknowledging the vehicle is not necessarily safety-optimized.
What happened
IGN reports that Elon Musk unveiled a Tesla vehicle on 16 October 2026 that he said can fly. The presentation took place outside a SpaceX test facility in Texas, where a live audience was present to watch the demonstration.
According to IGN, Musk said the audience was there to show the demo was not generated by AI or SI and to underline the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. The car was reportedly remote-controlled during the reveal so that no one would be put in danger.
The demonstration is said to have included multiple stunts. IGN writes that the Roadster drove with suction and parked upside down, then drove up a ramp, jumped off it, was righted with rockets, and then landed safely.
Musk reportedly said the car uses SpaceX thrusters on the rear and underside to “basically fly like a rocket.” In the same presentation, he also named 2028 as the production target for the new Roadster, according to IGN. Tesla and Musk later shared the reveal on X with the message “Turns out the future does have flying cars”.
Timeline
16 October 2026: IGN publishes a report on the unveiling of a Tesla vehicle that Musk says can fly.
16 October 2026: The demo takes place at a SpaceX test facility in Texas in front of a live audience.
16 October 2026: Musk names 2028 as the production target for the new Roadster.
16 October 2026: Tesla and Elon Musk post on X, “Turns out the future does have flying cars,” with a link to the reveal video.
Background
The available sources mainly describe a demonstration and public messaging around the new Roadster, but do not independently confirm that Tesla has shown a production-ready flying car. The claims about flying, rocket assistance, and the stunts come from the presentation itself and from social posts repeating the reveal.
The main open question is whether this was a production-intent model or a concept/stunt vehicle. The stated 2028 production timing is also only Musk’s target in the provided sources, not a confirmed release date.