10/17/2026
Elon Musk has unveiled what he calls the world’s first flying car, the second-generation Tesla Roadster. The demonstration took place at SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
The Roadster drove up a curved ramp and used suction to grip the surface, even upside down. Then cold-gas thrusters lifted it off the ground. The car flipped, flew, and landed. Later, it leapt over a line of parked Tesla models before accelerating.
Musk said the car was controlled remotely. He said this was to keep people safe, and he described the prototype as “not necessarily a safety optimised car.”
Thrusters give the car altitude control and rear thrust, which Musk said lets it “basically fly like a rocket.” He also said it could perform rolls. Spectators were kept several hundred yards back because the thrusters are loud enough to damage hearing.
This is not a jet, a helicopter, or a certified aircraft. The thrusters produce short hops, not sustained flight. Musk himself said the car may not be legal in all jurisdictions.
In 2014, Musk was skeptical about flying vehicles. Three years later, he announced the Roadster 2. Production is targeted for 2028.
Tesla’s reservation site listed deposits for different versions. A performance model required a £50,000 deposit, and a “thrust” version required $250,000. A one-seater “rocket” variant with a full flight system is available only by invitation. Tesla says flying it is not permitted on public roads.
What we have is a rocket-powered demonstration, not a commercial aircraft. The aviation question is what happens when a car starts taking short flights and regulators have to decide where it fits. ✈️🚀
