Tesla unveils flying car prototype, eyes 2028 production

Tesla has revealed a prototype of its Roadster sports car that can briefly ascend into the air using rocket technology, with production slated for 2028, according to CNN. The two-seater vehicle was demonstrated at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas, where it performed various maneuvers, including driving upside down before briefly hovering.

The prototype was operated without a driver to ensure safety. Elon Musk claimed the vehicle uses 10 nozzles and high-pressure air tanks to generate thrust, accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than a second. Musk attributed the development to a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, the rocket company he leads. Despite the demonstration, questions remain about the vehicle's ability to sustain flight and its practicality for everyday transportation.

Experts noted that combining road vehicle and aircraft requirements poses significant engineering challenges, suggesting the prototype is more likely to "hop" than achieve sustained flight.