Tesla Really Took Off: Elon Musk Showed a Car That Flips in the Air

The company also announced an incredible acceleration — up to 97 km/h in just 0.81 seconds. However, it is still far from the appearance of such a car on regular roads, reports [Entrevue](https://entrevue.fr/ru/sciences-tech/apres-9-ans-dattente-elon-musk-devoile-une-tesla-volante-la-roadster/). The presentation took place on October 15 at the SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas. The event was streamed online and became one of the most unusual showcases of Tesla cars. ## The Car Flipped in the Air and Landed on Its Wheels The highlight of the evening was the demonstration of the capabilities of the Roadster prototype. The white electric vehicle climbed a special curved structure and ended up in an inverted position. It was held on the surface by a fan system that created downforce. Then the car detached from the structure, rotated in the air, and landed on its wheels. In another test, the Roadster jumped over several Tesla cars. Special engines powered by compressed gas were used to control the car's position in the air. Their development involved specialists from SpaceX. ## Acceleration to 100 km/h in Almost a Second Tesla also demonstrated the acceleration capabilities of the new sports car. According to the company, the Roadster accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour, or about 97 km/h, in 0.81 seconds. This is an exceptionally high figure even for modern electric supercars. However, the result was achieved during the manufacturer's demonstration and has not yet been confirmed by independent tests. According to the specifications presented, the maximum speed of the car is expected to exceed 370 km/h, and the range is 480 kilometers. ## SpaceX Technologies Instead of Conventional Automotive Solutions The feature of the new Roadster lies in the use of technologies that are not typically applied in mass-produced cars. The gas engine system creates additional thrust and allows for control of the car's position during short jumps. Tesla presented several versions of the Roadster, including Performance, Thrust, and the most extreme Rocket. The latter is aimed at utilizing the most unusual capabilities of the experimental powertrain. However, the maneuvers demonstrated do not yet mean that the car will be able to freely fly above roads like an airplane or helicopter. ## Nine Years of Waiting and New Timelines The second generation of the Tesla Roadster was first introduced in November 2017. Initially, Elon Musk promised to start production in 2020, but the timelines have been repeatedly postponed. During this time, Tesla released other models and focused significant resources on the development of autonomous transport, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Now the company is targeting the start of Roadster production in 2028. Final prices and technical specifications for the production versions remain uncertain. ## When Will the Flying Tesla Appear on the Roads? Despite the spectacular presentation, the new Roadster still has many tests to undergo. Particularly challenging may be the issues of safety and certification for a vehicle that uses additional engines for takeoff. It is still unclear which of the demonstrated capabilities will be retained in the production model and whether they will be permitted for use on public roads. Thus, Tesla has indeed managed to showcase a car capable of briefly lifting off the ground and performing controlled aerial maneuvers. But there remains a significant distance between the spectacular prototype and a vehicle available to consumers. The company hopes to bridge this gap no earlier than 2028. Real life, baby https://t.co/3QEqn18wig— Tesla (@Tesla) October 16, 2026