Elon Musk unveils redesigned flying Tesla
Elon Musk has unveiled a flying Tesla Roadster capable of airborne manoeuvres and a claimed 0-60mph time of 0.81 seconds, with production now planned for 2028.
Elon Musk has unveiled a Tesla Roadster that can fly, flip and accelerate from 0 to 60mph in a claimed 0.81 seconds, promising a sports car unlike anything currently on the road.
The two-seat electric car was revealed at SpaceX's Rocket Test and Development Center in McGregor, Texas, where it demonstrated its ability to leave the ground before completing an acceleration run.
Tesla says the production version will be even faster, with manufacturing planned to begin in 2028.
The Roadster is the result of a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX and uses compressed air rather than rocket fuel. Ten thruster nozzles allow the car to perform airborne manoeuvres, while fans beneath the vehicle suck it towards the road to improve grip.
Tesla claims the system can generate more than 2g of cornering force, potentially giving the Roadster extraordinary track performance.
“You can corner like it looks like you're breaking physics because the car sticks to the ground so hard. So, acceleration, cornering, it's going to crush every track record that has ever existed,” Musk said.
The rocket-assisted technology will be optional and may not be available in every market. Tesla's UK website also confirms the Roadster will be left-hand drive only.
Musk acknowledged that the car may not be road legal everywhere.
“This will be an actual car that's on the roads. I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own. So, it's going to be pretty wild that you can have a rocket car,” he said.
The unusual launch came with a warning that the demonstration could fail.
“By the way, success is not guaranteed. So, I mean that. It'll probably work, but if it doesn't work, we're at a safe distance,” Musk told the audience.
He added: “And excitement is 100% guaranteed.”
Tesla vice-president of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy declared the demonstration a success, saying: “Well, it worked. Flying cars are real.”
He cautioned, however, that the vehicle was “not necessarily a safety optimized car”, while describing its entertainment value as “11 out of 10”.
The Roadster's styling takes inspiration from the SR-71 aircraft, with Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen saying the team deliberately incorporated aerospace influences into the two-seat design.
