By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-10-16 15:36:22 | Updated at 2026-10-16 16:23:35
56 minutes ago
Electric and gas-powered vehicles are parked in a lot at the Tesla factory in Fremont, Calif., on July 26, 2025. Gary Wang/The Epoch Times
What has been a subject of science fiction could become reality.
Tesla debuted its flying Roadster car on Oct. 15.
At an event in Texas, the vehicle used compressed-air thrusters to fly off a ramp and perform a midair flip and accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under a second.
“Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said at a SpaceX test site.
“Flying cars are real,” Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy added.
The breathtaking demonstration showcased the new Roadster speeding up a towering curved ramp, using a fan-poweredsuction system to stay attached as it rotated fully upside down. It then deployed integrated cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX to propel itself off the ramp, perform a midair flip, and land safely on the ground.
In another demonstration, the Roadster soared over a lineup of cars and a semi-truck, executing a midair flip before landing safely on the other side.
Musk said the car consisted of “ultra high-pressure air tanks” to move itself into the air.
The debut came after years of delays and excitement around the Roadster.
The car will not be in production until 2028, Musk said. Tesla did not announce a price tag for the vehicle.
Interested buyers can make an online reservation and place a $5,000 deposit for a non-flying model of the Roadster.
Tesla also plans to offer a limited-edition Thrust model, although reservations are not currently available online. According to the company’s website, the Rocket model, featuring a “full flight system,” will be available by invitation.
The idea of flying cars dates back nearly as far as the automobile itself. In 1917, American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss unveiled one of the earliest flying car prototypes. However, serious efforts to develop practical flying vehicles have gained momentum only in recent decades, driven by advances in electric motors and high-performance battery technology.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
