Tesla to Demo SpaceX-Powered Roadster This Month, Possibly Showcasing Hover Capability

On August 18, former Tesla President Jon McNeill revealed that Tesla is expected to demonstrate its second-generation Roadster sports car this month and may showcase its hovering capability. The vehicle is slated to be equipped with a cold-gas thruster system developed by SpaceX (internally codenamed A71), which generates downward thrust by expelling compressed gas, enabling the car to hover or even achieve brief flight. McNeill stated that the concept originated from a brainstorming session in 2016, initially aiming to achieve a 0–60 mph acceleration time between 1.6 and 1.8 seconds. Elon Musk later hinted that adding the SpaceX package could reduce this figure to as low as 1.1 seconds. Since the prototype’s unveiling in 2017, the Roadster’s launch date has been delayed at least nine times, with the latest projected delivery now set for August 2026. Earlier demonstration concepts reportedly included launching the car up a magnetized ramp or driving it upside down, but these ideas were rejected by Musk. Due to the extreme noise generated by the thrusters, the demonstration vehicle will likely be remotely operated without passengers, and spectators will need to observe from several hundred yards away.