Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Roadster That Can Fly, Promises Production In 2028
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the new Tesla Roadster, a flying car that uses high-pressure air jets to launch into the air, flip mid-flight and land.
Musk showcased the two-seater sports car at a SpaceX test facility in Texas on Thursday, demonstrating its ability to travel upside down along a ramp before flipping through the air.
He said the vehicle could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second and is expected to enter production in 2028.
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Tesla Roadster Uses Rocket-Style Technology
The new Roadster is designed to push beyond the performance of conventional electric sports cars, combining rapid acceleration with technology developed through Tesla’s collaboration with SpaceX.
The vehicle uses 10 nozzles connected to what Musk described as ultra-high-pressure air tanks. The system is intended to generate additional thrust, allowing the car to perform manoeuvres that would not be possible through tyre grip alone.
During Thursday’s presentation, the Roadster was shown using suction to climb a steep ramp and travel upside down before launching into the air and landing with the assistance of its jets.
The car also cleared a line of Tesla vehicles parked side by side, offering another demonstration of the propulsion system’s claimed capabilities.
Musk Claims Record-Breaking Acceleration
Beyond its airborne stunts, the Roadster is being promoted for its extraordinary acceleration.
Musk said the sports car could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour (approximately 97km/h) in less than a second, a claim that would put it far beyond the acceleration figures of conventional production cars.
He attributed the vehicle’s performance to the combination of Tesla’s automotive engineering and SpaceX’s rocket technology.
“The results of what happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company,” Musk said.
The demonstration vehicle did not have a human driver during the stunts. Musk told the audience that the decision was made “to make sure we don’t kill anyone.”
Production Target Set For 2028
Musk said Tesla intends to begin production of the Roadster in 2028.
However, the proposed timeline comes with a history of delays surrounding the vehicle. Tesla first unveiled its next-generation Roadster in 2017, with production plans repeatedly pushed back over the years.
It remains to be seen whether the latest target will be met and whether the technology demonstrated in Texas will be incorporated into a production model.
The demonstration also does not, by itself, establish that the Roadster can sustain flight like an aircraft. Its ability to perform the showcased manoeuvres outside a controlled test environment has yet to be established.
Musk Challenges Audience To Believe What They Saw
Musk told the enthusiastic crowd that he wanted witnesses who could independently describe the demonstration, rather than leave people questioning whether the footage had been generated by artificial intelligence.
“We need an audience to prove that it’s not AI or SI. So you guys can tell people you saw it with your eyes, because what you see with your eyes, you will not believe,” he said.
The unveiling adds another ambitious project to Tesla’s plans as the company seeks to push the boundaries of electric vehicle performance.
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