With Tesla Roadster debut, Elon Musk shows "flying cars are real"
Elon Musk unveiled a new Tesla Roadster prototype on Thursday, October 15, during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX facility in Texas. The vehicle uses high-pressure air thrusters to launch into the air, achieving 60 MPH in under a second. During the demonstration, the car performed a mid-air flip and an inverted ramp climb. Musk stated that "flying cars are real" following the display, which comes after nearly a decade of delays for the next-generation Roadster.
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- ✓ Elon Musk unveiled the new Roadster during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX facility in Texas on October 15.
- ✓ The vehicle uses high-pressure air thrusters to leave the road and launch into the air.
- ✓ The Roadster hits 60 MPH in under a second.
- ✓ The project has been delayed for almost a decade.
What changed
Tesla demonstrated a prototype Roadster capable of brief flight and mid-air maneuvers using air thrusters.
Live updates
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Elon Musk debuts flying Tesla Roadster prototype
Elon Musk unveiled a new Tesla Roadster prototype on Thursday, October 15, during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX facility in Texas. The vehicle uses high-pressure air thrusters to launch into the air, achieving 60 MPH in under a second. During the demonstration, the car performed a mid-air flip and an inverted ramp climb. Musk stated that "flying cars are real" following the display, which comes after nearly a decade of delays for the next-generation Roadster.
Why it matters
The Roadster project has faced almost ten years of delays. This debut attempts to validate Tesla's performance claims using rocket-inspired technology. It remains unclear which government agency would oversee the regulation of such vehicles.
What is confirmed
- Elon Musk unveiled the new Roadster during a livestreamed event at his SpaceX facility in Texas on October 15.
- The vehicle uses high-pressure air thrusters to leave the road and launch into the air.
- The Roadster hits 60 MPH in under a second.
- The project has been delayed for almost a decade.
Still unconfirmed
- Tesla used 50-year-old stunt technology for the Roadster demonstration.
- The vehicle performed an inverted ramp climb and mid-air flip.
What to watch next
- Official production details and timelines from Tesla
- Department of Transportation guidance on regulatory oversight for flying cars
- Independent verification of the vehicle's performance claims
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (17)
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- CNBC — Tesla plans next-generation Roadster reveal after almost a decade of delays
- Fox Business — Tesla’s new Roadster makes a flying debut, hitting 60 MPH in under a second
- CBS News — With Tesla Roadster debut, Elon Musk shows "flying cars are real"
- The Guardian — Elon Musk reveals ‘world’s first flying car’ at Tesla event
- Ars Technica — Tesla turns to 50-year-old stunt technology as it tries to Roadster again
- CBS News — We asked the DOT who would oversee a flying car like Tesla's Roadster. The answer isn't readily clear.
- CBS News — Tesla unveils its flying car
- www.cbsnews.com — With Tesla Roadster debut, Elon Musk shows "flying cars are ...
- www.newsbreak.com — Elon Musk shows off ‘flying’ Tesla Roadster after years of delays - NewsBreak
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