Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s ‘Flying’ Roadster, Targets 2028 Production
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has unveiled a new version of the company’s long-awaited Roadster sports car that performed brief aerial manoeuvres during a demonstration in Texas, reviving his ambition to bring flying-car technology closer to reality.
The unveiling took place on Thursday, October 15, at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas, where the two-seat electric vehicle demonstrated its ability to climb an inclined ramp, flip in mid-air and briefly leap over parked cars using propulsion technology.
Musk described the vehicle as a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, incorporating high-pressure gas thrusters designed to propel the car into the air. The demonstration vehicle operated without a human occupant, with Musk citing safety concerns.
The reveal marks a new development for the Roadster, which Tesla first announced in 2017 but has repeatedly delayed. Musk has previously promised extraordinary performance, including acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour in under one second for the specialised version.
Tesla is targeting production in 2028, although the company has yet to establish a confirmed retail price. The vehicle’s final specifications and the extent of its flying capabilities remain uncertain.
Despite the demonstration, significant hurdles remain before the Roadster could be used as a conventional flying car. Aviation regulations, safety certification and restrictions on where the vehicle could take off or land may limit its practical use.
The unveiling highlights Musk’s continuing push to combine automotive engineering with aerospace technology. However, whether the rocket-assisted Roadster can evolve from a dramatic demonstration into a commercially viable vehicle remains to be seen.
