Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a new sports car he described as a “flying car,” featuring air thrusters designed to lift it into the air. The Tesla flying car was presented during a livestreamed event at a SpaceX test facility in Texas on Thursday.
The vehicle is a next-generation version of Tesla’s Roadster electric sports car. During the demonstration, the car moved up a steep ramp and landed on its wheels. The event was streamed live through Tesla’s account on X, allowing viewers to watch the presentation online.
Musk said flying cars were becoming a reality but acknowledged that the vehicle’s success was not guaranteed. He expressed confidence in the project, saying it would probably work. However, the demonstration did not establish that the car could fly independently over long distances.
According to Musk, the Roadster uses ultra-high-pressure air tanks to generate the force needed to propel itself into the air. The technology could distinguish the vehicle from conventional electric sports cars, although further technical details about its flight capabilities were not provided during the presentation.
Do a kickflip! https://t.co/DJ1Bq1yu8m
— Tesla (@Tesla) October 16, 2026
Musk linked the development to cooperation between Tesla and SpaceX. He described the project as the result of combining the expertise of the electric vehicle manufacturer with that of the rocket company. Both businesses are associated with Musk, who leads their major technology and engineering initiatives.
Musk said production of the vehicle was expected to begin in 2028. However, the Tesla flying car concept still faces questions about its technical performance, safety and regulatory approval. Such challenges have slowed the wider development of flying vehicles, despite growing interest in the technology.
The idea of a flying car dates back more than a century. Aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss introduced an early flying car prototype in 1917. In recent years, advances in electric motors and high-performance batteries have encouraged renewed interest in vehicles that combine road travel with flight. Tesla’s latest presentation adds to that ongoing technological ambition.
