The global automotive and tech landscapes have reacted with astonishment following the official debut of Tesla’s next-generation Roadster.
Driven by the mind of Chief Executive Elon Musk, the futuristic sports car was unveiled on October 15 during a launch event at a SpaceX facility in Waco, Texas.
On a live stream on Tesla’s X account, a demonstration showed the vehicle launching off a steep steel ramp and completing a mid-air barrel roll before landing on its wheels.
Shortly after the event, Musk said on X “Turns out the future does have flying cars.”
Three variants
According to reports, the Roadster has three variants–Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
The base Performance version is “strictly road-ready and does not have rocket thrusters.” Instead, it relies on a multi-mode suction system and active aerodynamics to maximize downforce.
The second, Thrust, introduces rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for rapid, sub-one-second 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration.
Lastly, the Rocket, “features the full perimeter flight system (10 thrusters total) designed to propel the vehicle into short, controlled bursts of flight and mid-air maneuvers.”
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Mixed reaction
Netizens then shared their reactions with this news.
On one side, people hailed the breakthrough as a monumental leap toward science fiction becoming reality.
“Easily the coolest thing I’ve ever seen a car do!!! Now this is impressive! I gotta learn more about the actual practicality of it… how can this be on the road?!?,” @Erdayastronaut posted on X.
“Tesla just did something no car company has ever done. The Roadster drove up a wall. It flew. It jumped clean over other cars. Then it landed in a cloud of smoke like a SpaceX booster,” @IAmBenCohen added.
Conversely, a wave of skepticism swept through. Many internet users expressed bewilderment at the practicality of a car that can only stay airborne for mere seconds.
“Things Elon Musk could do with USD1Tn dollars: End world hunger, Solve climate change, Provide schooling for every child, Reduce housing crisis,” @eltemagv wrote.
“What Elon Musk does: Build a stupid car-toy with no practical use, just to impress a bunch of idiots. Tesla Roadster should be the last straw. #EatTheRich,” he added.
Critics and safety advocates also raised immediate concerns over regulatory hurdles, pointing out that the thruster-enabled configuration is strictly restricted from standard public roads.
Despite the intensely polarized digital discourse, Tesla’s bold presentation has successfully captured worldwide attention.
Ciara Mina 
Rosemarie Zamora 
Jacinth Banite