Today's Hot Topic: Tesla Unveils Next-Generation Roadster: Apparent Mid-Air Moment at Event, Flying Capability Still Awaits Official Confirmation

Odaily News — Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster at 8:55 AM Beijing time today at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas. The reveal comes after two consecutive years of declining Tesla vehicle sales, with the company hoping to reignite market attention on its automotive business through the new model. Musk had previously described the new Roadster as "beyond the movies, beyond imagination, beyond humanity," and hinted that the vehicle might possess flying capabilities leveraging rocket technology. However, Tesla has not confirmed that the Roadster can fly, nor has it confirmed that a formal flight demonstration will be held.

Ahead of the launch, footage from the venue showed a towering reverse-curved ramp had been constructed, leading to speculation that the vehicle might launch off the ramp, drive upside down, or briefly go airborne. Subsequently, social media reports claimed that the Roadster jumped over a row of Tesla vehicles at the event, described as a live stunt. At the time, the probability on Polymarket of the Roadster "flying" during the demonstration was approximately 69%, with one user reportedly profiting $169,000 from the bet. Other posts claimed that the second-generation Roadster's Rocket variant supports forward and upward acceleration as well as lateral rotation, and on that basis asserted the vehicle "can fly."

Musk later reposted and wrote: "Turns out the future really does have flying cars." However, social media accounts of the mid-air moment, the stunt demonstration, and descriptions of the Rocket variant's handling still do not amount to Tesla having confirmed that the production model possesses independent flight capability.