Tesla’s Flying Car: Price, Release Date, and What It Can Really Do

Tesla's Roadster can perform short aerial stunts, but it is not a conventional aircraft capable of sustained flight. Tesla unveiled a redesigned version of the Roadster at an event in Texas on October 15, demonstrating aerial maneuvers like midair flips and jumps. The vehicle uses rocket-inspired technology developed with SpaceX, employing high-pressure air thrusters and suction systems for its aerial feats.

However, it cannot maintain controlled flight over long distances like an airplane or an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The Roadster's demonstration featured 10 thrusters connected to compressed-air tanks, generating thrust for rapid acceleration and aerial movements. Tesla aims to start production of the redesigned Roadster in 2028, though the timeline is provisional due to past delays.

The vehicle's price is not announced, but the company is taking reservations with payment amounts ranging from $50,000 for the Performance model to $250,000 for the Rocket version. While the Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than one second and claim a range exceeding 300 miles and a top speed above 230 mph, these figures are manufacturer claims based on demonstration conditions.

The vehicle's development combines Tesla's electric-car engineering with SpaceX propulsion technology, making it an unusual attempt to merge high-performance capabilities with limited flight. However, significant questions remain about the car's safety, energy requirements, durability, certification, and practicality of operating thrusters near pedestrians and other vehicles.

For now, Tesla's flying Roadster should be seen as an experimental showcase of rocket-inspired propulsion, rather than a viable alternative to conventional cars or aircraft.