Elon Musk Unveils Tesla Flying Roadster

During the demonstration, the two-seat Roadster drove up a curved ramp, used suction to grip the surface, and then used air or rocket-style thrusters to flip through the air and land. The vehicle also used its jets to leap over a line of Tesla vehicles. Musk said the car could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than one second.

The demonstration was conducted without a driver. Musk said the vehicle was controlled remotely to reduce the risk to people. Reports said the Roadster uses multiple nozzles and high-pressure air tanks to produce thrust. Musk described the vehicle as a collaboration between Tesla’s automotive technology and SpaceX’s rocket technology.

Tesla says the Roadster could enter production in 2028. However, the demonstration does not yet prove that the vehicle can operate as a practical flying car. It showed a short, controlled hop and landing rather than sustained flight over long distances. Experts have also raised questions about weight, safety, battery or fuel requirements, regulation and the difficulty of combining a road vehicle with an aircraft.