Tesla prepares Roadster demonstration with SpaceX thrusters

Tesla is reportedly preparing a demonstration of its redesigned, next-generation Roadster as early as August 2026. The event is expected to take place at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas.

According to multiple reports, the demonstration will showcase the vehicle’s ability to lift off the ground or hover using a cold gas thruster system, internally referred to as ‘A71’, developed in collaboration with SpaceX. This technology utilizes pressurized gas to generate thrust without combustion, similar to systems used for rocket stabilization. Due to the extreme noise levels produced by these thrusters, the vehicle will be operated remotely without a driver, and spectators will be required to maintain a distance of several hundred yards to prevent hearing damage.

The demonstration is expected to feature two versions: a standard street-legal Roadster and a limited-edition, non-street-legal version equipped with the SpaceX thruster package. While original concepts included more radical maneuvers like driving upside down on magnetized ramps, the current plan appears focused on brief lift-off capabilities. The project, first announced in 2017, has faced numerous delays, with production timelines having shifted multiple times.