Tesla's new Roadster is finally unveiled after a nine-year wait: It jumps over other cars, spins in the air, and lands using thrusters

Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster on Thursday with a display unlike any car. At a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, the sports car climbed a massive curved ramp, launched into the air, and touched down again in a controlled manner. Later, it jumped over five vehicles of the same brand while spinning in the air, giving the impression of a futuristic flying car.

The unveiling ended a wait many customers had come to regard as endless. Tesla unveiled the first prototype in November 2017 and has since collected deposits of $50,000 and up to $250,000 for the limited-edition Founders Series from those who wanted to secure a unit. Production was supposed to begin in 2020, but the plan was put on hold for years, according to the Wall Street Journal, which was present at the event. Some of those early buyers were in the audience.

Lars Moravy, Tesla's vice president of engineering, provided a technical explanation of the stunts, explaining that the car features a fan-based suction system on its underside that provides greater grip and downforce, allowing it to climb the ramp. The jumps, by contrast, rely on two compressed-air thrusters developed using SpaceX rocket technology. With these activated, the company claims the Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 1 second and exceeds 229 mph.

The design has also changed completely. The rounded lines of the 2017 prototype have given way to a body with sharp angles, more in line with the aesthetic of the Cybertruck.

Even so, several questions remained unanswered. Attendees shouted at Musk to reveal the price, but the tycoon did not reveal it. He also didn't specify whether a car with electric motors would be legally allowed on the road. "Yeah, depends on your street, but it’ll be a viable car," he clarified.

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Despite the unveiling, customers will have to wait a little longer, as the Roadster will go into production in 2028. "Actually, for real," the entrepreneur assured.

The launch comes as Tesla focuses on autonomous driving and robotics, pushing traditional cars into the background. Musk said the Roadster will be the only manually driven vehicle the company manufactures. Moravy also described it as the world's first flying car and "the last best driver’s car."

"Turns out the future does have flying cars," Musk said following the presentation.

The model also holds symbolic significance for the company. The original Roadster, launched in 2008 on a modified Lotus sports car, was Tesla's first vehicle and showed that an electric car could be fast and attractive before the brand moved into more mass-market models.

The new version targets the market's most exclusive segment, where it will compete with Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. According to a report by the independent firm Battle Road Research, it is not expected to have a significant impact on sales volume, although it could contribute significantly to the company's revenue.