Elon Musk unveils Tesla’s ‘flying’ car

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, revealed a "flying" car equipped with thrusters during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX rocket company's facility in Texas on Thursday. The automotive and aerospace industry has long grappled with the challenge of developing a commercially viable flying car. Musk showcased his Roadster sports car during the demonstration, which was streamed live on Tesla's X account. The vehicle took off from a steep steel ramp, performed a full barrel roll in mid-air, and landed safely on its wheels.

Musk confidently declared, "Flying cars are real," during the event. He assured that the car's success was not guaranteed, but it was expected to work as intended. The two-seater sports car did not have a driver during the demonstration, as Musk wanted to ensure no one was harmed. The car was equipped with 10 nozzles and ultra-high-pressure air tanks to propel itself into the air and accelerate rapidly on the ground.

The Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under a second and reach a top speed of 230 mph (370 kph).

Tesla CEO Musk described the development as a collaboration between the world's best car company, Tesla, and the world's best rocket company, SpaceX. The Roadster, while not explicitly a safety-optimized vehicle, would be a fully operational car on the roads. Musk clarified that the car's legality in various jurisdictions was uncertain, but a car would ultimately be available for purchase.

The Roadster's production is scheduled for 2028, though Musk has a history of delaying such announcements. The unveiling of the Roadster was postponed multiple times and had been anticipated for over nine years.

Customers can reserve a "Performance" Roadster model or a "Thrust" model with boosted thrusters on Tesla's website. The final sale price for the vehicle has not been disclosed. The concept of a flying car dates back to 1917 when American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss unveiled the first prototype. However, practical designs gained renewed attention in recent years due to advancements in electric motors and high-performance batteries.