Oct. 16 (UPI) — Tesla showed off its latest model, the Roadster 2, by launching upside down off a vertical ramp during a demonstration before it flipped and landed, propelled by thrusters.
Elon Musk said the new vehicle is the “world’s first flying car,” and though it did not actually fly, it did maneuver high in the air before landing with the assistance of its built in thrusters. The demonstration was held at SpaceX’s rocket testing facility in Texas on Thursday.
“Turns out the future does have flying cars,” Musk posted on social media alongside a video of the Roadster 2 jumping and flipping over five vehicles, including a semi-truck.
Musk said the car will “basically fly like a rocket” with technology from SpaceX implemented into its design. It is also capable of going 0 to 60 mph in record time, which it demonstrated during the event.
It’s got altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters in the rear,” Musk said during the demonstration. “So it can basically fly like a rocket, it can do rolls, crazy gymnastics. I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions.”
The car was operated by remote control so no driver was put in danger, Musk said. He added that it has not been “safety optimized.”
The Roadster 2 is set to go into production in 2028 and will cost more than $200,000. The commercially-available version of the vehicle will not include the “full flight system” as it is not legal to fly on public roads. The “rocket” version of the car will be available by invitation only.
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