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VIDEO: Elon Musk Unveils Flying Tesla, Crowd Roars
Elon Musk just took the future of driving to a whole new level, unveiling a flying Tesla Roadster that sent spectators into a frenzy during a jaw-dropping demonstration in Texas.
The billionaire Tesla CEO showed off the long-awaited sports car Thursday night at SpaceX’s testing facility in McGregor, where the vehicle performed a series of gravity-defying stunts using technology borrowed from rockets.
In one astonishing demonstration, the Roadster climbed an upside-down ramp before flipping through the air and plunging toward the ground.
But instead of crashing, the vehicle’s rocket thrusters fired, allowing it to hover and descend safely as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Musk declared that the futuristic machine is ‘going to crush every track record that has ever existed’ and predicted that customers could get their hands on one by 2028.
‘It can basically fly like a rocket. It could do rolls. It could do crazy gymnastics. Whatever you want, really,’ Musk said.
The incredible display offered the clearest look yet at a project Musk has been teasing for nearly a decade.
Turns out the future does have flying cars https://t.co/6fexPp6SXI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 16, 2026
According to the Tesla boss, the Roadster’s aerial capabilities rely on ‘altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters in the rear’.
Additional footage shared on X showed the vehicle launching over a row of parked cars, flipping upside down and landing safely on the opposite side.
Another demonstration featured the Roadster lifting off from a stationary position, rotating in midair and descending through clouds of smoke.
The technology was developed in collaboration with SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace company, and resembles the thruster systems used to maneuver spacecraft.
But the billionaire acknowledged that the extraordinary performance comes with potential risks.
‘this is not necessarily a safety-optimized car, but it takes the fun meter to 11 out of ten’, Musk admitted.
Flying isn’t the Roadster’s only impressive feature.
Tesla claims the redesigned sports car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in approximately 0.81 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 mph.
Engineers also reportedly developed a suction system beneath the vehicle capable of generating tremendous downforce, allowing the Roadster to maintain traction even while traveling upside down.
The latest unveiling represents a major milestone for Tesla, which has faced years of questions about when its next-generation Roadster would finally arrive.
The original Roadster helped launch Tesla’s automotive ambitions before production ended in 2012.
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Musk first introduced plans for its successor in 2017, promising extraordinary acceleration and performance.
By 2018, he was discussing a SpaceX package featuring rocket thrusters that could potentially allow the car to hover.
Now, Tesla is reportedly accepting reservations for several configurations of the futuristic vehicle.
A performance model requires a refundable $50,000 deposit, while a version featuring additional acceleration thrusters is listed at $250,000.
An even more extreme rocket-equipped version is reportedly available by invitation only and includes a complete flight system with seating for one.
However, the final pricing and legal requirements for operating such a vehicle remain uncertain.
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‘I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own,’ Musk said.
The unveiling also marks a dramatic shift from Elon Musk‘s earlier skepticism about flying vehicles.
In a 2017 interview with Bloomberg, the billionaire raised concerns about the dangers of putting heavy machines into crowded skies.
‘Obviously, I like flying things,’ Musk said at the time.
‘But it’s difficult to imagine the flying car becoming a scalable solution.’
He also warned about the potential consequences of mechanical failures involving airborne vehicles.
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‘If somebody doesn’t maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you,’ Musk said.
‘Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head.’
Despite those earlier reservations, Musk continued pursuing the ambitious Roadster project.
During an appearance on Joe Rogan‘s podcast last year, he teased that Tesla was preparing something extraordinary.
‘What about the Roadster?’ Rogan asked.
‘Oh, that’s coming,’ Musk replied.
‘We’re going to do something really special with that. It’s going to be the most memorable product unveil ever.’
While Tesla still faces questions about production, safety and whether its flying technology will receive regulatory approval, Thursday’s demonstration gave spectators a remarkable glimpse of what Musk hopes to bring to market.
And if Tesla delivers on its ambitious promises, the next generation of American sports cars might not be limited to the highway.
