Elon Musk has given the world a glimpse of what he calls the future of driving, unveiling a redesigned Tesla Roadster that can perform mid-air flips and land back on its wheels. The dramatic demonstration has reignited interest in flying cars, although the technology shown so far is closer to a vehicle making short airborne manoeuvres than a car capable of flying long distances.
The new Tesla Roadster was presented on October 15 at a SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas. The event featured a prototype driving up a curved ramp, travelling upside down with the help of a suction system, then lifting off, rotating in the air and landing. The vehicle was also shown jumping over a line of Tesla cars. The demonstration was streamed online, bringing the long-awaited electric sports car back into the spotlight.
Musk, Tesla’s chief executive and the founder of SpaceX, described the vehicle as a flying car and said it could “basically fly like a rocket”. The Roadster combines Tesla’s electric-car engineering with technology developed by SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company. The use of thrusters is the key difference between this version and a conventional electric sports car.
The demonstration showed two technologies working together. A suction system helps the car grip a specially designed curved ramp, allowing it to travel upside down during the staged demonstration. SpaceX-derived cold-gas thrusters then provide the force needed for the airborne manoeuvres.
The thrusters use pressurised gas rather than a conventional rocket engine burning fuel. The system can generate short bursts of thrust, helping the vehicle lift, rotate and return to the ground. Tesla has also discussed altitude controls and additional thrusters positioned at the rear.
The demonstration was remotely controlled, according to Musk, as a safety precaution. While the video showed the car briefly leaving the ground and completing a controlled landing, it did not demonstrate sustained flight, long-distance air travel or the ability to navigate through the sky like an aircraft.
That distinction matters. A vehicle capable of brief airborne movements is not necessarily a practical flying car. Engineers would still need to address stability, control, passenger protection, energy use and safe operation in different conditions before such technology could be used routinely.
The Roadster has been one of Tesla’s most anticipated projects. Musk first unveiled the second-generation model in 2017, promising a high-performance electric car that would challenge petrol-powered sports cars. Production was initially expected much earlier, but the project faced repeated delays as Tesla focused on other vehicles and technologies.
The latest demonstration has revived the project, but customers will have to wait. Musk has said production is expected to begin in 2028, nearly a decade after the second-generation Roadster was first revealed. That remains a future target rather than confirmation that customer deliveries will begin on a fixed date.
The vehicle is expected to sit at the premium end of the electric-car market. Reports following the unveiling put its expected price above $200,000, although final pricing and specifications have not been fully settled. Tesla’s reservation information also indicates different entry requirements for versions with different capabilities.
Musk himself acknowledged that the vehicle’s flying features may not be legal in every jurisdiction. Tesla has indicated that the flying function is not permitted on public roads, underlining the gap between a technology demonstration and a commercially approved product.
Road vehicles must meet strict safety standards covering braking, steering, crash protection and other systems. Adding propulsion equipment capable of lifting a car introduces further challenges, including how to protect passengers and people nearby if a manoeuvre fails. Regulators would also need to determine which rules apply when a vehicle operates both on the road and in the air.
The prototype’s performance claims also need to be treated carefully. Musk has said the Roadster could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than a second. That is an extraordinary target, but independent testing and final production specifications will be needed to establish what buyers can actually expect.
The new Roadster is more than a sports car launch. It is a showcase of how Tesla hopes to combine electric mobility with technologies developed across Musk’s wider business interests. The use of SpaceX engineering could help the company stand out in a crowded electric-vehicle market, where manufacturers are competing on performance, software and innovation.
Still, a high-profile demonstration does not guarantee a successful product. Tesla must turn the prototype into a vehicle that can be manufactured reliably, priced clearly and operated safely. It will also need to prove that the headline-grabbing features can work outside a controlled test environment.