Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has unveiled a new version of the company’s Roadster sports car equipped with thrusters that he says will enable it to fly, with production planned for 2028.
Musk presented the vehicle on Thursday during a livestreamed event at a SpaceX test facility in Texas, where the car was shown launching from a steep ramp before landing on its wheels.
“Flying cars are real,” he said, while acknowledging that the project’s success was not guaranteed.
Musk explained that the vehicle would use ultra-high-pressure air tanks to propel itself into the air, describing the development as a product of collaboration between Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, his rocket company.
The unveiling comes as technical and regulatory challenges continue to hamper efforts to bring flying cars to the commercial market.
Although American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss demonstrated an early flying-car prototype in 1917, advances in electric motors and battery technology have renewed interest in the concept in recent years.
The Roadster demonstration has also fuelled speculation about a closer relationship between Tesla and SpaceX, with some investors suggesting the two companies could eventually merge.
Dan Ives, a prominent Wall Street technology analyst, described the unveiling as impressive, arguing that the propulsion and control systems showcased on a Tesla vehicle strengthened the case for the companies to operate as a unified engineering platform in the future.
Ives had previously predicted an 80 per cent chance of the companies coming under one corporate umbrella by 2027, although no merger has been announced.
Investor Ross Gerber also suggested that the unveiling pointed towards a possible merger, while Gene Munster described the event as an engineering showcase rather than a demonstration of immediate commercial value.
Tesla shares rose 4.79 per cent to $379.80 in pre-market trading on Friday following the demonstration, while SpaceX shares reportedly gained 2.33 per cent to $152.08.
However, the planned 2028 production timeline and the vehicle’s ability to operate as a flying car remain subject to technical development and regulatory requirements.
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