Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a new Roadster sports car equipped with thrusters, describing it as a “flying” car during a livestreamed event at a SpaceX facility in Texas on Thursday.

The demonstration showed the vehicle launching from a steep ramp before landing on its wheels. The event was streamed on Tesla’s X account.

“Flying cars are real,” Musk said during the presentation.

However, Musk acknowledged uncertainty surrounding the project’s success. He said the vehicle’s “success is not guaranteed” but added that “it will probably work”.

Musk Reveals Thruster Technology

Musk said the Roadster would use “ultra high-pressure air tanks” to propel itself into the air. He presented the project as a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, the rocket company he also leads.

Google to Make Website Links More Prominent in AI Search Results

The billionaire described the development as “what happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company”.

According to Musk, the vehicle could enter production in 2028. However, further technical development and regulatory approval would be important steps before any commercial launch.

Flying Cars Face Technical and Regulatory Challenges

Despite decades of interest, flying cars have yet to become a mainstream form of transport. Developers face challenges involving safety, propulsion, battery performance, noise and aviation regulations.

Interest in the sector has grown in recent years as electric motors and battery technology have advanced. Several companies are also developing electric aircraft and vehicles designed for short-distance urban travel.

The idea itself is not new. American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss demonstrated an early flying-car prototype in 1917, although the concept did not develop into a widely adopted transport option.

Musk’s latest announcement adds to the long-running effort to combine road vehicles with flight. Nevertheless, the proposed 2028 production timeline and the car’s practical flying capabilities remain important details to verify as development progresses.