Elon Musk has unveiled the next generation of the Tesla Roadster — an electric sports car that the brand’s fans have been waiting for for almost nine years.

At a presentation in Texas, the vehicle demonstrated not only its speed but also performed stunts straight out of a science-fiction movie: it drove upside down along a ramp, took off into the air, performed a flip and landed back on its wheels.

In another sequence, it jumped over five Tesla cars.

The event took place at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor. The presentation was livestreamed, and before it began, Musk explained why he wanted to demonstrate the car to the public in person.

«We need an audience to prove that this isn’t AI or computer-generated imagery. That way, you’ll be able to tell everyone you saw it with your own eyes. Because what you’re about to see is hard to believe», he told the audience.

The Roadster’s extraordinary capabilities are the result of a joint effort by engineers from Tesla and SpaceX.

Thanks to its rocket engines, the car can literally fly and even travel upside down. The vehicle is also equipped with thrusters that use compressed air to perform aerial manoeuvres. Its system includes two tanks, each with a capacity of 600 litres. This technology allows the prototype to briefly lift off the ground and perform spectacular manoeuvres.

Tesla’s website already lists three versions of the sports car: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. They differ in terms of equipment, capabilities and intended use.

The Performance version is designed to seat two people and is intended for use on regular roads. It will feature active aerodynamics and a system that generates downforce to keep the car pressed against the road, but it will not have rocket boosters. A $50,000 deposit is required to pre-order this version.

The Thrust will also have two seats but will additionally feature rocket boosters at the rear. Tesla claims they will enable the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than one second. A $250,000 deposit is required to reserve it.

The most «space-age» option will be the Rocket — a single-seat version equipped with a fully fledged flight system. It will reportedly be available by invitation only, and its use on public roads is not currently planned.

According to the announced specifications, the Roadster will have a top speed of more than 370 km/h (230 mph) and a range of over 480 km (300 miles). However, the company has yet to reveal the final specifications of the production model or its full price.

Tesla plans to begin production in 2028.

Photo: Tesla