Tesla unveils what it says is a flying car: news

Tesla Flying Car News: Next-Gen Roadster Unveiled with SpaceX Thrusters

Tesla has officially demonstrated the redesigned next-generation Tesla Roadster at a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, featuring rocket-inspired technology that Elon Musk describes as giving the electric sports car “flying” capabilities.

Key Highlights and Performance Claims

• SpaceX Thruster Package: Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the vehicle utilizes ultra-high-pressure cold-gas air thrusters fed by onboard composite pressure vessels. During the demonstration, the prototype executed short aerial maneuvers, mid-air leveling, a jump over several vehicles, and controlled hovering stunts.

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• Record Acceleration: Tesla claimed a 0–60 mph acceleration time of under one second (clocking 0.8 seconds in demonstration runs with thruster assistance), alongside targeted top speeds exceeding 230 mph.

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• Production Timeline: Initially announced in 2017, the production date for the two-seater halo EV is now targeted for 2028.

  Indiatimes

Flying Capabilities vs. Road Legality

Despite the “flying car” branding, the vehicle is not an aircraft or an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) urban air mobility vehicle intended for long-distance air transit. The thrusters are designed to assist extreme handling, downforce, brief hops, and rapid acceleration. Regulatory approval and safety compliance for high-pressure thruster-assisted driving on public roads remain significant hurdles, with commercial deployment across global jurisdictions subject to local motor vehicle and transport authority regulations.