Tesla unveils its next generation ‘flying’ Roadster

Summary
In this NBC News broadcast segment, anchor Kate Snow and Business & Data Correspondent Brian Cheung report on the unveiling of Tesla’s next-generation Roadster. They review footage of the vehicle using SpaceX-derived cold-gas thrusters to launch off ramps and perform aerial maneuvers, while discussing expected pricing, regulatory hurdles, and realistic production timelines.

What is shown

• [00:00 - 00:09]: Stunt footage of the Tesla Roadster accelerating up a near-vertical curved ramp, deploying side and downward thrusters to reorient and hover before landing, accompanied by HUD telemetry displaying G-forces and altitude (peaking above 60 ft).
• [00:51 - 01:05]: Video of the vehicle jumping over a row of parked vehicles, including a Tesla Semi, and executing an aerial barrel roll (“kickflip”) stabilized by thruster jets.
• [01:23 - 01:31]: Footage of the rear of the Roadster on stage during the unveiling event, revealing exhaust nozzles for the thruster system.
• [01:42 - 01:45]: Elon Musk speaking to the audience on stage at the presentation.
• [02:26 - 02:30]: Close-up studio footage showing cold-gas thrusters firing from the vehicle’s rear panel.

Claims & numbers

• Brian Cheung states that Tesla plans for the vehicle to enter production in 2028, though he cautions that Musk’s timelines are historically optimistic.
• Telemetry shown during the vertical ramp jump indicates the car reached an altitude of at least 60.4 feet.
• Earlier estimates for previous versions of the vehicle were around $200,000, but Tesla is currently asking for a $250,000 deposit upfront to reserve one.
• Cheung reports that the FAA clarified the vehicle does not meet its legal definition of an aircraft.
• Cheung states that Tesla intends to sell a road-going version that will omit the rocket thruster system shown in the demonstration.

Notable quotes

• [00:41] Brian Cheung: “Tesla is saying this is something that’s going to enter production in 2028.”
• [00:56] Brian Cheung: “Check that out, it’s like a Tony Hawk kickflip.”
• [02:27] Brian Cheung: “...the FAA actually did clarify that the Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA’s definition of an aircraft...”

Assessment
This is a mainstream news review analyzing an official corporate demonstration. While the live stunt demonstrations display real physical hardware and telemetry, the correspondents clarify that the flying and thruster-assisted capabilities are extreme demonstrations unlikely to be street-legal anytime soon, and that production models available to consumers will differ substantially.

Described by gemini-3.8-flash on 2026-10-17 from the video’s audio and frames.