Elon Musk has unveiled his long-promised flying Tesla Roadster, proclaiming that “flying cars are real” and saying the futuristic vehicle could reach customers by 2028.
Musk first said last year that Tesla’s redesigned Roadster—the company’s original sports car, which has been out of production since 2012—would be capable of flight. He partly attributed the idea to fellow billionaire Peter Thiel’s interest in owning a flying vehicle.
The Tesla chief appeared to turn that vision into a demonstration Thursday night during a live reveal staged at SpaceX’s testing facility in McGregor, Texas.
In dramatic footage, the Roadster races up an inverted ramp, launches into a midair flip and drops toward the ground. Just before impact, attitude-control and rear rocket thrusters fire, allowing the vehicle to hover and settle safely as the audience erupts.
Musk predicted that the new Roadster would “crush every track record that has ever existed.”
“It can basically fly like a rocket,” he said. “It could do rolls. It could do crazy gymnastics. Whatever you want, really.”
He also acknowledged that the vehicle was not designed primarily around safety, describing it instead as a machine that takes “the fun meter to 11 out of ten.”
Tesla engineers say the Roadster features a suction-fan system beneath the chassis capable of producing as much as 2G of downforce, helping keep the car firmly attached to the road, Car Sales reported.
Elon Musk has revealed the long-awaited flying Tesla Roadster, declaring that “flying cars are real” and promising that the vehicle could be available by 2028.
Musk showcased the vehicle Thursday night during a live event at SpaceX’s testing facility in McGregor, Texas.
On the ground, the new Roadster is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 0.81 seconds and reach a top speed of 230mph.
Musk is aiming to begin production in 2028. Although the exact configuration remains unclear, he said some version of the flying car will ultimately be offered for sale.
“I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own,” Musk said.
During an interview with Joe Rogan last year, Musk said the Roadster’s next unveiling was “getting close” and suggested that a flying-car presentation would take place before the end of the year.
The subject came up during the three-hour podcast after Musk spent several minutes pitching the Cybertruck. Rogan interrupted to ask, “What about the Roadster?”
“Oh, that’s coming,” Musk replied, offering only a few cryptic hints about what Tesla had planned.
“We’re going to do something really special with that,” he said. “It’s going to be the most memorable product unveil ever.”
Rogan later pressed Musk for additional details after the recording equipment had been switched off.
In dramatic footage, the Roadster climbs an inverted ramp, flips in midair and begins falling before its attitude-control and rear rocket thrusters activate, allowing it to hover safely toward the ground.
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Musk warned that the vehicle was not necessarily optimized for safety, but said it pushes the excitement factor “to 11 out of ten.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has floated the idea. Back in 2018, he teased a ‘SpaceX package’ for the Roadster that would use cold–air thrusters — actual rocket tech — to boost performance, improve handling, and maybe even ‘hover’ for short bursts.
In 2017, however, Musk claimed flying cars would never take off.
‘Obviously, I like flying things,’ Musk told Bloomberg.
‘But it’s difficult to imagine the flying car becoming a scalable solution.’
He also said there’s a risk of falling debris if flying cars were to get in a mid-air crash.
‘If somebody doesn’t maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you,’ Musk said.
‘Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head.’
Earlier this year, Toyota announced it was doubling down on its vision of flying taxis after announcing a major new manufacturing partnership with California-based Joby Aviation.
Their goal is to mass produce electric aircraft capable of whisking passengers over congested cities at speeds of almost 200mph.
Tesla has been promising the Roadster since 2017 – and taking deposits on the high–powered vehicle
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The Japanese auto giant is taking a controlling 51 percent stake in the new venture, called Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company, while Joby will own the remaining 49 percent.
The announcement sent Joby’s shares soaring as investors cheered what could become one of the biggest milestones yet in the race to bring commercial air taxis to everyday commuters.
Rather than looking like a conventional airplane, Joby’s futuristic craft is a cross between a helicopter and a sleek private jet.
The all-electric vehicle uses six tilting propellers to take off and land vertically before transitioning into forward flight like an airplane.
It can carry a pilot and four passengers, and it’s designed to reach speeds of nearly 200mph while producing far less noise than a traditional helicopter.
Toyota said the partnership will focus on improving manufacturing quality, reducing production costs and eventually mass-producing the aircraft.