Elon Musk made a flying car: the new Tesla took to the air and jumped over other vehicles (VIDEO)
Tesla presented a new sports car called the Roadster at a demonstration in Texas on October 15th. The vehicle showcased unique capabilities by lifting off the ground, performing a mid-air flip, and landing back down. This was achieved using specialized thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX, allowing short, controlled flights rather than sustained flight like airplanes. The Roadster demonstrated impressive acceleration, capable of reaching nearly 100 km/h from a standstill in under a second, with a top speed exceeding 370 km/h and a range of over 480 km on a single battery charge. Three versions of the Roadster are planned, including a basic Performance model, a more powerful Thrust variant with additional thrusters, and a Rocket version designed for lift-off with only one seat. Reservation deposits for the Performance and Thrust models were set at $50,000 and $250,000 respectively, though final prices remain undisclosed. It remains unclear whether these capabilities will comply with existing road safety and traffic regulations.
Elon Musk revealed Tesla's flying Roadster on October 15, 2026, during a demonstration at SpaceX's test facility in McGregor, Texas. The two-seater sports car, equipped with rocket propulsion technology, executed aerial maneuvers such as flipping upside down, spinning mid-air, and landing using jet thrusters. Musk stated that production of the vehicle is scheduled for 2028. During the demonstration, the Roadster climbed a steep ramp, drove upside down for approximately 20 meters above the ground, flipped in the air, and landed safely using air jets. The vehicle did not have a driver inside, as Musk explained this was done to ensure safety. "Success is not guaranteed. I mean that. It'll probably work, but if it doesn't work, we're at a safe distance," he said. Musk emphasized the importance of having an audience present to confirm that the demonstration was real and not a simulation. "We need an audience to prove that it's not AI or SI. So you guys can tell people you saw it with your eyes, because what you see with your eyes, you will not believe," he remarked. The Roadster utilizes ten jet nozzles and ultra-high-pressure air tanks developed through collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. According to Musk, the vehicle can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under one second. However, the demonstration primarily showcased brief aerial movements and acrobatic maneuvers rather than sustained flight capabilities. Tesla first announced the second generation of the Roadster in November 2017, promising exceptional performance metrics such as accelerating from zero to 97 kilometers per hour in 1.9 seconds and reaching speeds over 400 kilometers per hour. Despite these ambitious claims, production delays have pushed the start of manufacturing to 2028. The new Roadster features three versions: Performance for regular road use, Thrust with additional boosters for enhanced acceleration, and Rocket with extensive thruster systems capable of lifting the vehicle off the ground. The Rocket version will have only one seat and will be available exclusively to invited customers. Reservations for the Performance variant require a deposit of $50,000, while the Thrust variant requires a deposit of $250,000. Final pricing for the vehicles has not been disclosed yet. Questions remain regarding the practicality of the vehicle on public roads and compliance with existing safety and traffic regulations. The demonstration did not include a human driver due to safety concerns. Tesla's previous announcement of the Roadster dates back to 2017, with initial production plans set for 2020. These plans were repeatedly postponed, and the current target year for production is 2028. If achieved, it will mark an 11-year gap between the first presentation and the beginning of production. The Roadster holds symbolic significance for Tesla, as the original Roadster, introduced in 2008, was the first mass-produced electric vehicle and demonstrated that electric cars could be both fast and sporty. Roger Conner, curator for vertical flight at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, noted the significant engineering challenges posed by combining the requirements of road vehicles and aircraft. He suggested that a hybrid vehicle might perform poorly as both an aircraft and a car and would likely be costly. Elon Musk highlighted the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, stating it resulted from working with the best car and rocket companies in the world. He humorously referenced Peter Thiel's famous quote about promises of flying cars versus social media updates, indicating that Tesla had finally delivered on the promise. The demonstration included a maneuver called a kickflip, which resembled an acrobatic move more akin to aviation than traditional automobile driving. This maneuver involved the Roadster jumping over a row of parked Tesla vehicles, including the Cybertruck, Model 3, Model Y, Semi, and Cybercab. Musk assured the audience that the demonstration was genuine and aimed to showcase the potential of integrating advanced propulsion technology into a sports car. While the demonstration was impressive, the question of whether the Roadster can achieve sustained flight and become a practical mode of transportation remains unanswered.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, unveiled a flying car prototype equipped with rocket propulsion technology during a public presentation. The vehicle is designed to cover short distances and is expected to enter production by 2028. Musk described the project as part of Tesla's broader vision for advanced transportation solutions. The announcement highlights Tesla's ongoing innovation in electric vehicles and aerospace technology. While details remain limited, the reveal has generated significant interest in the potential future of personal aerial mobility.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on technological innovation and does not involve political figures, policies, or contentious issues. It provides a straightforward report on Tesla's product development without apparent bias or framing that favors any particular perspective.
The article discusses the unveiling of a new version of the Tesla Roadster by Elon Musk, describing scenes that resemble those from a game or science fiction movie. The vehicle appears to defy gravity, suggesting advanced technological features such as flight capabilities. This development highlights Tesla's ongoing innovation in electric vehicles and potentially autonomous or aerial transportation technologies.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a technological advancement by Tesla and does not involve any political figures, policies, or contentious issues. It provides a neutral description of the event without apparent bias or framing towards any particular political stance.
Tesla has announced the Roadster, a flying car model that was first revealed nine years ago. The vehicle represents a significant step forward in the development of electric and autonomous transportation technologies.
Bias read (Center): The headline focuses on a technological innovation by Tesla and does not present any political stance, controversy, or biased framing. It simply reports on the unveiling of a new product without taking sides or emphasizing any particular political angle.
Tesla presented a new sports car called the Roadster at a demonstration in Texas on October 15th. The vehicle showcased unique capabilities by lifting off the ground, performing a mid-air flip, and landing back down. This was achieved using specialized thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX, allowing short, controlled flights rather than sustained flight like airplanes. The Roadster demonstrated impressive acceleration, capable of reaching nearly 100 km/h from a standstill in under a second, with a top speed exceeding 370 km/h and a range of over 480 km on a single battery charge. Three versions of the Roadster are planned, including a basic Performance model, a more powerful Thrust variant with additional thrusters, and a Rocket version designed for lift-off with only one seat. Reservation deposits for the Performance and Thrust models were set at $50,000 and $250,000 respectively, though final prices remain undisclosed. It remains unclear whether these capabilities will comply with existing road safety and traffic regulations.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on technological innovation and product development by Tesla, which is not inherently politically charged. There is no evident framing that favors any particular political ideology, and the content is primarily descriptive of technical features and performance metrics.
Tesla presented a new generation of electric supercar called the Roadster at a demonstration in Texas. The vehicle performed incredible maneuvers, including driving up a nearly vertical wall, navigating a curved ramp upside down, and launching over parked Tesla vehicles while executing a mid-air rotation. These feats were made possible by a powerful system of air jets beneath the car, which create suction and allow the vehicle to hover and maneuver in ways previously thought impossible for automobiles. Elon Musk emphasized that these demonstrations were experimental and not yet ready for practical use, though they showcased the potential of the technology. The development involved collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, leveraging advanced engineering techniques.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on technological innovation and does not involve political figures, policies, or contentious issues. It provides a neutral description of the event and the technology involved without apparent bias.
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