Elon Musk unveils Tesla's ‘flying’ car, targets 2028 production

Elon Musk says Tesla plans to bring a thruster-equipped version of its Roadster sports car into production in 2028, offering a new take on the long-standing ambition to develop vehicles that can take to the air.

The Tesla chief executive presented the vehicle at a SpaceX test facility in Texas on Thursday, where a livestream showed it launching from a steep ramp before landing on its wheels.

Although Musk called the demonstration proof that “flying cars are real”, the footage showed a ramp-assisted launch rather than sustained flight.

The vehicle is designed to use what Musk described as “ultra high-pressure air tanks” to generate thrust. He acknowledged that the project still carried risks, saying its success was not guaranteed, although he believed it would probably work.

Musk linked the development to cooperation between his two companies, Tesla and SpaceX, describing it as a combination of expertise from the electric-car maker and the rocket company.

The proposed Roadster comes as engineers continue to explore ways of making flying vehicles practical. Early attempts date back more than a century: American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss unveiled a flying-car prototype in 1917.

The concept has gained renewed attention in recent years as improvements in electric motors and high-performance batteries have opened up new possibilities for personal air transport. However, technical difficulties and regulatory requirements remain major obstacles to bringing such vehicles into widespread use.