Tesla Roadster Revealed: UK Price, 0-60 and Can It Fly?

Key points

• Yes, it can fly, in Rocket form. The invite-only Rocket version has cold-gas thrusters around the car for forward and upward acceleration and rotation. In Tesla's words: 'So yes, it can fly.' It seats one and isn't approved for public roads.
• 0–60mph in under a second. The Thrust version adds rear thrusters that Tesla says take it from 0–60mph in under 1 second.
• A fan that sucks it to the road. All three versions have a fan-and-seal suction system that Tesla says can hold the car upside down when stationary. McMurtry's track-only Spéirling technically got there first, although the McMurtry isn't road legal.
• UK reservations are open, but there's no final price. Performance requires a £5,000 downpayment plus £45,000 within 10 days. The Thrust is £5,000 plus £245,000, one per customer. Rocket is invite only, with no figures publicly listed. Final prices haven't been announced.
• Not until 2028, and left-hand drive only. Elon Musk says production starts in 2028. Tesla's UK site says the Roadster is available as a left-hand drive vehicle only.

The new Tesla Roadster was revealed on the evening of 15 October 2026, US time, and yes, one version of it can fly. UK reservations are open now: £5,000 to start, £50,000 in all for the Performance car and £250,000 for Thrust. Production is due in 2028, the cars are left-hand drive only, and Tesla hasn't announced final prices.

Here's what's confirmed, what's only reported, and the catch for UK buyers.

Can the new Tesla Roadster really fly?

Yes, in one version. At SpaceX's rocket test facility in Texas, Tesla drove the Roadster at a line-up of its current vehicles, lifted it into the air above the cab of a Semi lorry and barrel-rolled it before landing on its wheels (Autocar). Carwow reports that nobody was inside for the stunt.

It uses cold-gas thrusters set around the car's edge, which means compressed gas released through nozzles rather than anything burned. Calling them rocket thrusters is a nickname, though Rocket is also the name of the version. Carwow reports a 600-litre air tank feeding 10 nozzles, and Tesla says electric actuators make fine adjustments within a fraction of a second to keep the car stable in flight.

Only the invite-only Rocket version does this. It seats one, isn't approved for public road use and, Tesla notes, isn't available in all regions. Tesla's own page is blunt about it: 'So yes, it can fly.'

That makes it a Tesla flying car of sorts, but a narrow one. See the moment it flies from the Tesla reveal below.

How fast is the new Tesla Roadster?

Tesla says the Thrust version, with cold-gas thrusters at the rear, goes from 0–60mph in under 1 second. Autocar reports 0.81 seconds, measured after a one-foot rollout, which means the clock starts once the car has already moved a foot. Both figures are for Thrust only, and Tesla UK's pages give no 0–60mph time for the Performance car.

Tesla hasn't announced power, range, battery size or top speed. Autocar says Elon Musk gave two different top-speed claims at the reveal, so treat any figure you see as unconfirmed.

The fan that sucks it to the road; McMurtry did it first

All three versions have a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing system that pulls air out from beneath the car (Tesla). Tesla says it gives enough suction to hold the car upside down, even when stationary, with active wings working alongside it. Tesla's page footnotes aren't clear on which version gets which feature, so the upside-down claim is Tesla's, and we can't say the Performance car will match it.

Tesla isn't the first to build a fan car like this. McMurtry Automotive's Spéirling, a British single-seat track car, drove upside down on 10 April 2025, which McMurtry called a world first. On reveal day, McMurtry posted a reel of the Spéirling going round a loop rig until it was upside down, captioned 'Welcome to the club'.

McMurtry's track-only Spéirling got there first. If Tesla delivers, the Roadster would bring that standstill suction to a road car.

That said, McMurtry's car didn't 'kickflip' the entirety of Tesla's fleet like the Roadster did...

Tesla Roadster versions and UK reservation prices

There are three versions: Performance, which anyone can reserve now; Thrust, a limited release with one per customer; and Rocket, which is invite only. Tesla calls Thrust and Rocket augments. The figures below are UK reservation payments, not the final Tesla Roadster price, which hasn't been announced.

Only the first £5,000 is described as fully refundable, and Tesla says refunds for modifications will not be issued. A reservation can be cancelled if the balance isn't paid within 10 days. Tesla hasn't said whether Rocket will be sold in the UK; its page says only that it isn't available in all regions.

When can you get a Tesla Roadster in the UK?

Elon Musk says Tesla Roadster production will start in 2028, which is the nearest thing to a release date so far.

The UK catch: Tesla's UK site says the Roadster is available as a left-hand drive vehicle only, and that availability depends on each region's legal requirements. Tesla hasn't published a UK delivery date.

Road legality is still a little up in the air. Tesla says Rocket isn't approved for public road use, calls Thrust race ready without saying whether it's road legal, and describes Performance as road ready.

Design and interior

Tesla says nothing carries over from the 2017 concept car; hidden headlights, a full-length taillight, flush aerodynamics and thin-spoke wheels. The Ano White paint takes its cue from aerospace coatings, and the gold-tinted glass is designed to mimic spacesuit visors.

Inside, the Ultrawhite interior has grey microsuede detailing, a steering yoke designed for steer-by-wire and a centre touchscreen backed by two smaller forward displays. The seat position is fixed, and magnesium, titanium and carbon fibre keep the weight down.

Want a Tesla sooner?

If you'd rather drive a Tesla before 2028, the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y are available now through loveelectric salary sacrifice. The Model 3 was the UK's best-selling EV in September 2026, with 9,929 registrations. To help you choose, see our Tesla leasing guide.

FAQs

Q: Can the Tesla Roadster really fly?

A: Yes, the invite-only Rocket version can, according to Tesla. It seats one and isn't approved for public road use.

Q: How much is the new Tesla Roadster in the UK?

A: Final prices haven't been announced. UK reservations are £50,000 for Performance and £250,000 for Thrust, with £5,000 due now and the rest within 10 days (Tesla UK, 16 October 2026). Rocket is invite only, with no public figures.

Q: When is the Tesla Roadster coming out?

A: Production is due to start in 2028, according to Elon Musk (Autocar). Tesla hasn't published a UK delivery date.

Q: Will the Tesla Roadster be right-hand drive?

A: Not according to Tesla UK, which says the Roadster is available as a left-hand drive vehicle only.

Q: How fast is the new Tesla Roadster?

A: Under 1 second from 0–60mph for the Thrust version, according to Tesla. With a purported top speed of 230mph.

Q: Is the Tesla Roadster road legal?

A: It depends on the variant. Tesla says Rocket isn't approved for public road use, calls Thrust race ready without saying whether it's road legal, and describes Performance as road ready, subject to each region's laws.