NEW YORK – Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the company’s new Roadster sports car at an event in Texas, claiming the vehicle could perform aerial manoeuvres using a jet-powered system.
The two-seater car is designed to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than a second, according to Musk. Demonstrations also showed Tesla Roadster navigating steep inclines and using air jets to descend while inverted.
No driver was inside the car during the demonstration. Musk said the decision was taken to prevent anyone from being killed in the event of an accident during testing.
“There is no guarantee of success. I mean, it may do what we claim it can do, but even if it doesn’t, we are at a safe distance,” Musk said.
In another demonstration, the Roadster was shown moving over other Tesla vehicles using the same air-jet system.
The vehicle reportedly uses 10 nozzles connected to what Musk described as ultra-high-pressure air tanks to help it hover or accelerate. Musk presented the technology as the result of combining the expertise of a leading car manufacturer with that of a major rocket company.
However, questions remain over whether the system will work reliably in real-world driving conditions. The demonstrations did not establish that the car could sustain flight over a significant distance, leaving its claimed flying capability unproven.
Musk said production of the new Roadster is expected to begin in 2028.