Tesla finally unveils its new Roadster tonight

Nearly nine years ago, Tesla promised a new Roadster. Tonight, that promise finally gets tested. The reveal happens at a Tesla facility near Waco, Texas, after a postponed Sept. 28 date. Elon Musk has hinted the car could actually fly, reportedly with hardware borrowed from SpaceX.

The original Roadster was Tesla's first car. It helped prove electric cars could be fast and desirable, not just practical. This new version leans on spectacle instead of that history. Several outlets have reported an FAA flight restriction near the venue, which has fueled flying-car rumors. But multiple auto journalists have been blunt about it: a flying car remains a claim, not a confirmed feature. Tesla hasn't demonstrated sustained flight, and nothing here has been independently tested.

Keep reading — what to watch

Will tonight's demo actually show sustained flight, or just a dramatic jump? That's the real question, not the price or the specs. Tesla has made big promises about this car since 2017, and missed its own release date more than once already. If tonight delivers real flight, it changes what people expect from a car company. If it's closer to a clever stunt, it adds to a long list of Roadster promises that didn't fully land.