Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a new version of the company’s Roadster sports car, showcasing a prototype that uses compressed-air jets to perform airborne stunts and promising production by 2028.
The demonstration, held Thursday at a SpaceX test facility in Texas, featured the two-seat vehicle accelerating, leaping over parked Tesla cars and performing aerial manoeuvres that Musk said showcased its ability to combine high-performance driving with flight technology.
However, the event stopped short of proving that the Roadster could sustain flight over meaningful distances, leaving questions about whether Tesla can deliver a road-legal vehicle capable of functioning as a genuine flying car.
The demonstration featured an unoccupied vehicle, with Musk telling the audience that the decision was made “to make sure we don’t kill anyone.”
He also cautioned that the technology was not guaranteed to work, saying the demonstration would take place at a safe distance in case of failure.
How Tesla’s Flying Roadster Works
The vehicle uses 10 nozzles and what Musk described as ultra-high-pressure air tanks to generate thrust. The system is designed to propel the car during short airborne manoeuvres and provide additional acceleration on the ground.
Tesla developed the technology in collaboration with SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, drawing on rocket-engineering concepts to extend the capabilities of an electric sports car.
Musk described the project as the result of a partnership between “the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.”
During the presentation, the Roadster climbed a steep ramp, remained upside down briefly using a suction system beneath the vehicle, and then performed an aerial manoeuvre before landing. It also used its thrusters to jump over a row of parked Tesla vehicles.
Musk claimed the car could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour (approximately 97 kilometres per hour) in less than a second, an extraordinary performance target that has yet to be independently established under production conditions.
Musk also urged the audience to witness the event firsthand, saying he wanted people to be able to confirm that the demonstration was not generated by artificial intelligence.
Tesla Targets 2028 Production
Musk said Tesla intends to begin production of the new Roadster in 2028, reviving a project first announced in 2017.
The original unveiling generated considerable interest in the electric sports car, but its production timeline slipped repeatedly, leaving prospective buyers waiting years beyond the initial expectations.
According to Reuters, the Roadster is expected to serve as a flagship product showcasing Tesla’s engineering capabilities, even as the company pursues broader ambitions in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and robotics.
