Elon Musk has officially debuted a Tesla prototype designed with aerospace technology from SpaceX, claiming it represents the world’s first flying car. During a live demonstration at the SpaceX facility in Texas, the two-person Roadster 2 showcased its ability to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in under one second. Later in the demonstration the Roadster is seen using the jets to leap over a line of Tesla’s existing models and then accelerate to 60mph in record time.
Video footage from the event captured the vehicle driving up a curved ramp, utilizing suction to maintain grip while inverted, before deploying thrusters to flip and hover. Musk noted that the car was operated remotely during the test “to make sure we don’t kill anyone.” He described the vehicle as having altitude controls and rear thrusters, allowing it to perform rolls and aerial maneuvers, noting, “It’s got altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters in the rear. So it can basically fly like a rocket.”
Vehicle Reservation and Pricing Details
- Performance Version: Requires a £50,000 deposit.
- Thrust Version: Requires a $250,000 deposit.
- Rocket Variant: Features a full flight system and is available by invitation only.
While the car pushes boundaries, Musk acknowledged it is not a safety-optimized vehicle and questioned its legality across various jurisdictions. The company confirmed that operating the vehicle in flight mode is not permitted on public roads. Despite earlier skepticism regarding flying cars in 2014, Musk announced the project in 2017 to compete with gasoline-powered sports cars.
The production version, expected in 2028, is priced starting at over $200,000, or approximately £150,000. Describing the experience, Musk remarked that the car “takes the fun meter to 11,” adding that “the future does have flying cars.” However, three years later he announced the development of the Roadster 2, which will go into production in 2028 and priced in excess of $200,000, (£150,000), to create an electric sports car “to give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars”.
Key Job Details
- In 2014 Musk expressed his scepticism about a future with flying vehicles.
