Tesla Roadster can actually fly says Musk

Tesla has revealed the new Roadster in spectacular fashion, using a livestream on X to demonstrate what Elon Musk claims is the world's first flying production car. During the presentation, the Roadster appeared to lift off the ground using technology developed alongside SpaceX, with Musk declaring "flying cars are real" and promising customers will be able to buy the rocket-assisted sports car when production begins in 2028.

For decades, flying cars have been one of science fiction's most enduring promises.

According to Elon Musk, that future has finally arrived.

During Tesla's Roadster reveal event, Musk repeatedly warned the audience they were about to witness something difficult to believe.

"You're gonna see some crazy stuff tonight," he said.

"What you see with your eyes, you will not believe."

The demonstration centred on a radically redesigned Roadster developed in conjunction with SpaceX. Rather than simply relying on electric motors, Tesla says the vehicle combines a powerful fan-based aerodynamic system with compressed-air propulsion technology derived from rocket engineering.

The most eye-catching moment came when the Roadster appeared to leave the ground entirely.

Moments later, one presenter simply declared: "Flying cars are real."

Musk was even more direct.

"Yeah," he replied. "Flying cars are real."

According to Tesla engineers, the Roadster uses a suction fan system underneath the vehicle capable of generating up to 2G of downforce.

The system was primarily developed to improve traction and cornering performance, though the company says it also enables more dramatic manoeuvres.

Musk joked the Roadster "really sucks", before claiming it would be capable of setting new benchmarks for circuit performance.

"It's going to crush every track record that has ever existed," he said.

The company also revealed further details about its propulsion system, which reportedly uses two ultra-high-pressure air tanks with a total capacity of 600 litres and 10 nozzles positioned around the vehicle.

According to Musk, the setup effectively turns the Roadster into a road-going rocket.

"The car has attitude-control thrusters and main thrusters in the rear, so it can basically fly like a rocket," he said.

"It could do rolls. It could do crazy gymnastics. Whatever you want, really."

Tesla stopped short of detailing exactly how much of the technology will be available in customer vehicles, though Musk insisted owners will eventually be able to buy a car capable of performing similar feats.

"There's going to be such a car that someone can own," he said.

Tesla's flying-car claims will inevitably attract scrutiny from regulators and industry experts, particularly given questions around road legality, safety and how such technology could be used outside of controlled demonstrations.

Even Musk acknowledged the concept may create challenges.

"I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions," he admitted.

Regardless of whether every promised capability makes it into production, the Roadster has once again become one of the automotive industry's most fascinating projects.

Tesla says production will begin in 2028, giving engineers several years to prove that the future really does include flying cars.

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