Today in Cars: Tesla’s Roadster Takes Flight, Stellantis Blitzes Paris, Mazda Hones the CX-30, and Dubai Police Adds a 920-HP Lambo

I woke up to a feed that looked like a fever dream: a Tesla doing short hops, a Paris show floor drowning in Stellantis concepts, Mazda giving the CX-30 a little MX-5 magic, and Dubai Police casually adding a 920-hp hybrid Lamborghini to its tourist-facing fleet. Sprinkle in a dose of Aussie nostalgia for Holden faithful and a celebrity Maybach headed to the block, and you’ve got the sort of day that makes a lifelong car hack reach for a stronger coffee.

Tesla Roadster finally lands… and then takes off

After years of teases, the new Tesla Roadster is here, and the headline writes itself: sub-one-second 0–60 mph claims and an air-assist system that quite literally lifted the car off the ground in a demo. I re-watched the clip a couple of times—part awe, part “did that really just happen?” The car’s party trick is a bank of air thrusters that dump compressed air for a burst of acceleration or a quick hop. It’s the sort of tech you joke about over track-day burgers, then Tesla turns around and actually builds it.

From the walkarounds and cabin shots shown today, the interior looks pared back and low-slung, with the kind of tightly packaged, glass-heavy cockpit that makes you sit up straighter. Also noteworthy: multiple outlets are reporting that this will be Tesla’s last manually driven model—read that as a philosophical line in the silicon sand before the brand pivots fully toward automated driving in future cars.

• Claimed acceleration: roughly 0.8 seconds to 60 mph (sub-one-second territory)
• Air-assisted “thruster” package demonstrated with brief takeoffs
• Clean, minimalist interior; driver-focused seating position
• Reported to be Tesla’s last manually operated car

Quick take: Do we need 0–60 in under a second?

Need? No. Want? Oh yes. The strangest byproduct of this arms race is that the Roadster’s 0–60 claim might be the least interesting thing about it. The real promise is how the air system could shape traction, braking, and cornering. Think tiny, targeted bursts that help settle the car mid-bend or slice stopping distances. It’s wild stuff. It will also require a serious rules read for track days and, frankly, new driver education for owners who’ve never timed a throttle stab with a blast of compressed air. Valets, brace yourselves.

Stellantis floods Paris with concepts as Chinese brands circle

Over in Paris, Stellantis—the Jeep parent with that bustling European portfolio—rolled out a small army of concepts. The subtext isn’t subtle: homegrown brands are pushing design and tech hard just as Chinese automakers dial up their European ambitions. Expect sharp-edged EVs, more modular interiors, and a fixation on value without giving up the flair that sells in city centers from Paris to Milan.

• Multiple European-brand concepts in one show of force
• Design-forward EVs aimed at affordability and urban style
• A reminder that local players won’t cede ground without a fight

I’ve walked enough European show floors to know this playbook: make noise, show vision, lock in suppliers, and keep dealers engaged. If even a third of these studies hits production cleanly, the small EV segment is in for a feisty couple of years.

2027 Mazda CX-30 borrows a trick from the MX-5

Mazda’s compact crossover is set for a refresh in 2027, and the headline is delightfully on-brand: it’s picking up a bit of Miata know-how and adding more tech. Mazda has this knack for translating its roadster’s feel-good dynamics into its crossovers—subtle tuning, clever software, small-but-meaningful hardware changes. I’ve spent plenty of time in the current CX-30, and on rough backroads it already punches above its weight for body control and steering feel. Anything that leans it closer to the MX-5’s playfulness is a win.

• MX-5-derived feature joins the options list (driver-focused, handling-oriented)
• More in-cabin tech and assistance features planned
• Still aimed at buyers who want tidy size with big-car refinement

File this under “right move, right time.” As the segment gets noisier on screens and powertrains, Mazda’s differentiation remains tactile: a chassis that encourages a longer route home.

Heritage heartbeat: Holden numbers dwindle, rarity rises

Australian data out today underlines what Holden fans have been feeling in their bones: every year, there are fewer Holdens on the road. “Your Holden is one in a million,” the line goes—and increasingly, that’s literally the point. Values for clean, unmodified cars have been buoyant, and the cars & coffee stories I hear sound the same: fewer badges, more waves. If you’re sitting on a tidy SS or a well-loved ute, look after it. The country still notices when one burbles past.

Flash and cash: Dubai Police’s 920-hp Lamborghini and LeBron’s Maybach

Because Dubai gonna Dubai: the local constabulary has added a new 920-horsepower hybrid Lamborghini to a fleet already stacked with photogenic hero cars. It’s the sort of rolling tourism campaign that works like a charm; I’ve seen those crowds gather in minutes. And somewhere between glitz and VBOX readings, it does keep a very fast city honest.

• Hybrid Lamborghini with 920 hp joins Dubai Police fleet
• Part PR magnet, part rapid-response tool for a fast-moving city

Stateside, a custom Mercedes-Maybach S-Class once tailored for LeBron James is heading to auction. Expect the usual Maybach opulence turned up with bespoke touches—and expect bidders who like their legroom with a side of headlines.

Today’s headliners at a glance

How it all fits

Today read like a snapshot of where the car world is headed: outrageous tech stunts that could bleed into real-world performance (Tesla), legacy brands fighting hard on design and affordability (Stellantis in Paris), and quiet, clever refinements where they matter (Mazda). Meanwhile, the icons of yesterday (Holden) are becoming treasured survivors, and the spectacle isn’t going anywhere—see: Dubai’s 920-hp cruiser and a celebrity-grade Maybach looking for its next garage.

FAQ

How fast is the new Tesla Roadster?

Tesla is claiming roughly 0.8 seconds to 60 mph, thanks in part to an air-assisted thruster system demonstrated with brief takeoffs. Final production specs haven’t been detailed.

Does the Tesla Roadster actually fly?

Not in any aviation sense, but a demo showed short hops using compressed-air thrusters. It’s a showpiece for the assist tech that also aims to improve traction and acceleration.

What did Stellantis show in Paris, and why does it matter?

A wave of European-brand concepts emphasizing EV design, modular interiors, and value. It’s a strategic response as Chinese automakers push harder into Europe.

What’s new with the 2027 Mazda CX-30?

It’s getting more technology inside and adding an MX-5-derived option focused on driver engagement. Details beyond that remain under wraps.

Why are Holden numbers shrinking in Australia?

With the brand retired, natural attrition means fewer cars remain on the road each year. The silver lining: surviving, well-kept Holdens are becoming more prized by enthusiasts.