Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has unveiled a new prototype of its Roadster sports car featuring rocket-inspired technology that allows it to perform brief airborne manoeuvres, with production targeted for 2028.

The demonstration took place on Thursday at a SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas, United States, where the vehicle performed a series of stunts, including driving upside down, making a mid-air turn and briefly lifting off the ground before landing.

Tesla Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk, described the development as the product of collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, his rocket manufacturing company.

The two-seater vehicle uses thruster technology designed to generate thrust and enable it to perform manoeuvres beyond the capabilities of conventional road cars.

During the demonstration, the vehicle operated without a driver. Musk explained that the decision was taken to reduce the risk of injury during the test.

“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 also said the demonstration was intended to show the public that the technology was real, adding that spectators could testify to what they had witnessed.

Roadster Promises Extreme Acceleration

Tesla executives said the new Roadster could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than one second when equipped with its thruster system.

The vehicle is also reported to have a top speed exceeding 230 miles per hour and an electric driving range of more than 300 miles on a full charge.

The company has not, however, demonstrated that the vehicle can sustain flight over significant distances or operate as a conventional aircraft.

The prototype’s performance relies on rocket-inspired technology developed through cooperation between Tesla and SpaceX, marking an attempt to combine electric vehicle engineering with aerospace systems.

Musk said the company intended to begin production in 2028, although important questions remain about the final production model, its capabilities and the regulatory requirements governing its use.

Experts Question Practicality of Flying Cars

Despite the dramatic demonstration, aviation experts have raised questions about the practicality of combining a road vehicle with aircraft capabilities.

Roger Connor, curator for vertical flight at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, told CNN that designing a vehicle capable of meeting both road safety and aviation requirements presents significant engineering challenges.

He explained that aircraft must be lightweight to achieve efficient flight, while road vehicles require additional structures, including protective components designed to safeguard occupants during collisions.

Connor questioned whether the Roadster’s demonstration qualified as conventional flight, describing the manoeuvre as a brief airborne movement rather than sustained flying.

Jim Dukhovny, chief executive of flying-car startup Alef, said the technology was feasible but acknowledged that transitioning safely from vertical movement to forward flight remained a major technical challenge for such vehicles.

His comments highlight the distinction between a vehicle capable of briefly lifting off the ground and one that can operate safely and reliably as an aircraft.

Production Target Follows Years of Delays

The unveiling marks another milestone in Tesla’s long-running effort to introduce its next-generation Roadster.

The company first announced the second-generation model in 2017, initially promising deliveries in 2020. However, production was repeatedly delayed.

The latest prototype features technology developed in collaboration with SpaceX, reflecting Musk’s broader ambition to combine automotive engineering with aerospace innovation.

Tesla has not yet established that the vehicle’s airborne capabilities will be suitable for everyday transportation or approved for unrestricted use on public roads.

The company will also need to address regulatory and safety requirements before any version intended for road use can be widely adopted.

While the demonstration has generated renewed interest in the Roadster, its commercial success will depend on whether Tesla can turn the prototype’s unusual capabilities into a practical, safe and commercially viable vehicle.