Tesla has unveiled its redesigned Roadster, which Elon Musk says can fly like a rocket, roll and perform mid-air acrobatics. Production is not due to ramp up until 2028. Experts say the car is unlikely to drive on Australian roads. Michael Milford of QUT called the unveiling a slick publicity stunt, saying flying cars are still far from safe use. Milad Haghani of the University of Melbourne said it appears to be a technology showcase with no clear path to wider use.
Tesla's Roadster 2 prototype has been shown driving up a vertical wall, jumping over a Tesla Semi truck and flying briefly. Physicist Rhett Allain says fans that lower air pressure under the car press it against surfaces, increasing friction. This extra grip could also help it accelerate and turn. Compressed air pushing out the back, similar to a rocket, allows the car to reach 0 to 60 miles per hour in under a second. Allain estimates the jump produced vertical acceleration of about 10 times gravity, which he says humans could survive briefly but would find unpleasant.
Tesla has demonstrated a version of its Roadster 2 sports car at a SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas, where it flew a few dozen feet. The car has no price yet and is due to enter production in 2028. Aviation experts say flying it legally would require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, a process that could take at least a year. Elon Musk said the car may not be legal in all jurisdictions and is not necessarily safety-optimised. Experts also note that weight remains a major obstacle for flying cars.
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Tesla and chief executive Elon Musk unveiled the Roadster 2 at a demonstration event in McGregor, Texas, where the car was shown flying into the air using thrusters. Tesla says production will begin in 2028, though the car was first promised for 2020. The company has not revealed the price. Three variants were announced, and buyers can currently reserve only the Performance version, with a $5,000 fee followed by $45,000 within 10 days. Musk said the car would crush track records, but the company has a history of missed release targets.
