Tesla has offered a glimpse of a futuristic driving experience after its redesigned Roadster performed an upside-down manoeuvre and briefly took to the air during a demonstration in Texas, nearly nine years after the electric sports car was first unveiled.
The demonstration took place Oct. 15 at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas. The vehicle drove up a specially designed curved ramp, travelled along it while inverted and then made a brief airborne movement before landing safely.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared a video of the stunt on X, writing, “Turns out the future does have flying cars.”
The demonstration featured technology developed in collaboration with SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company. The redesigned Roadster is equipped with cold-gas thrusters that use pressurised gas to generate thrust, enabling movements beyond the capabilities of conventional road cars.
However, the demonstration does not mean flying cars are ready for everyday use. The manoeuvres were carried out under controlled conditions, and there is no indication that the vehicle has been approved for airborne operation on public roads. Questions surrounding safety, regulatory clearances and the practicality of such technology remain unanswered.
The latest showcase also puts the spotlight back on Tesla’s long-delayed electric supercar. The company first unveiled the next-generation Roadster in November 2017, initially promising production much earlier. Repeated delays have kept prospective buyers waiting for the vehicle to reach the market.
Reports following Thursday’s demonstration indicate that Tesla is now targeting 2028 for the start of production, meaning customers could face a further wait before deliveries begin.
While the demonstration has renewed interest in the possibilities of combining electric vehicles with aerospace technology, the prospect of flying cars becoming a mainstream mode of transport remains uncertain. For now, the Roadster’s unusual performance offers a glimpse of experimental automotive engineering rather than a practical alternative to conventional road travel.
