Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has unveiled a new Roadster sports car equipped with thrusters, describing it as a “flying” car during a livestreamed event at SpaceX’s facility in Texas.
During Thursday’s demonstration, the vehicle launched from a steep ramp before landing on its wheels. The event was broadcast live on Tesla’s X account.
“Flying cars are real,” Musk declared, acknowledging that the project’s success was not guaranteed but adding that “it will probably work”.
He said the vehicle uses “ultra high-pressure air tanks” to propel it into the air and described the project as a collaboration between Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, his rocket company.
“What happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company,” he said.
Musk said production was targeted for 2028, although the vehicle’s technical capabilities and regulatory approval remain key challenges.
The concept of flying cars dates back more than a century. American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss unveiled an early prototype in 1917.
Interest in flying vehicles has grown in recent years, driven partly by advances in electric motors, batteries and aerospace technology. However, safety concerns, engineering limitations and regulatory requirements continue to hinder their commercial adoption.
Whether Tesla’s Roadster can deliver on Musk’s flying-car promise remains to be seen.