Tesla revealed its next-generation Roadster in Texas, showcasing three new versions including one that performed a dramatic kickflip and demonstrated flying capabilities.
The redesigned Roadster lifted briefly off the ground using SpaceX-developed thrusters, and was shown driving upside down using a powerful suction system.
The vehicle reportedly accelerated from zero to 60 mph in just 0.81 seconds, making it one of the fastest production cars ever demonstrated publicly.
Tesla announced that production of the new Roadster will begin in 2028, giving the company roughly two years to finalize engineering and manufacturing processes.
Reservations are now open, with deposits set at $50,000 for the Performance version and $250,000 for the higher-tier Thrust version.
A third variant, described as the flying Rocket version, is available by invitation only and is not open to the general public for reservation.
Despite the spectacle, Tesla (TSLA) shares fell 2.13% to close at $354.72 on Friday, October 16, 2026, reversing early gains made after Thursday evening’s unveiling.
Shares had climbed as much as 4.4% during premarket trading following the demonstration, but that enthusiasm quickly faded once the regular session got underway.
The reversal coincided with a broader selloff in technology stocks, suggesting weak market sentiment outweighed excitement around the Roadster announcement.
Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein addressed the vehicle’s strategic significance in a research note, saying “Tesla does not currently have a halo car, or high-performance luxury vehicle designed to showcase an automaker’s best engineering and technology.”
Goldstein added that “the Roadster will be Tesla’s new halo car,” framing it as a brand statement rather than a meaningful revenue driver for the company.
Analysts broadly do not expect the Roadster to contribute significantly to Tesla’s bottom line, given its limited production volumes and exclusive pricing structure.
The unveiling event was held at a SpaceX facility, which intensified speculation among investors and observers about a possible merger between Tesla and Space Exploration Technologies.
The use of SpaceX thruster technology in the Roadster further blurred the line between the two companies, both of which are closely associated with Elon Musk.
No formal merger announcement has been made, and any talk of a combined Tesla-SpaceX entity remains speculative at this stage.
