'This is a prank, right?' Social media is baffled by Tesla's flying car stunt - as one jokes 'car insurance companies are going to s*** themselves'

Elon Musk has shocked the world by unveiling a spectacular demonstration of a new Tesla flying car.

At a launch event for the new Tesla Roadster, crowds watched in disbelief as the car drove upside–down on a ramp, flipped into the air, and lowered itself safely in a cloud of smoke.

Speaking at the event, a triumphant Musk declared: 'Flying cars are real… It's got altitude controls, thrusters and main thrusters in the rear. So it can basically fly like a rocket, it can do rolls, crazy gymnastics.'

However, on social media, tech fans have been left baffled by the outlandish stunt, with tech blogger Marques Brownlee asking: 'This is a prank, right?'

Mr Brownlee wrote in a sceptical post on X: 'They really just got on stage and said this newly designed 4000+ pound car can do flips and go half the speed of sound (380+mph) and will ship in 2028.' 

Meanwhile, some Tesla fans didn't question whether the flying Roadster really existed but weren't certain it would ever be safe to drive.

As one commenter bluntly joked: 'Car insurance companies are going to s*** themselves.'

Last year, Musk promised the retooled Roadster – Tesla's original car that hasn't been in production since 2012 – would fly, in part because he said fellow billionaire Peter Thiel wants a flying vehicle. 

And the billionaire appears to have made his dreams come true at a live event on Thursday night from SpaceX's testing facility in McGregor, Texas.

In one demonstration, the Roadster drove directly towards a row of parked vehicles before flinging itself into the air, flipping over, and landing safely on the other side.

In another, the Roadster jumped directly into the air from a stationary position, hovering as it rolled over and gently lowered itself back to the ground in a cloud of smoke. 

Besides its stunning rocket abilities, Tesla says the Roadster can accelerate from 0–60 miles per hour in approximately 0.81 seconds and hit a top speed of 230mph.

The car is even supposedly fitted with a suction fan system under the car that generates up to 2G of downforce that lets it stick to the road, enabling it to drive upside down on a steel ramp.

However, tech fans on social media have been quick to question whether such a groundbreaking innovation could be real.

One commenter wrote on X: 'Bro this does not look real no f*****g way.'

'Real life if you ignore gravity, insurance, and the price of tires,' another added.

Even Musk himself appeared to question whether the flying version of the Tesla Roadster would ever be available. 

He said: 'I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own.' 

Meanwhile, even tech fans who thought the demonstration was real were baffled as to why anyone would want this feature in their own car.

'Imagine being inside a car that does this and getting instant brain damage,' wrote one.

'Imagine pushing the wrong button and your car does this,' joked another.

While one commenter chimed in: 'So what will happen to my coffee and bags in that moment.'

But despite some critical responses, the overwhelming sentiment online has been one of amazement.

One bemused Tesla fan wrote: 'We're living in a simulation. Exhibit A.'

'It's like watching Blade Runner 2049 happening in 2026.'

Another added: 'Absolutely speechless. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd live to see the day where we had a flying car.'

Even Silicon Valley's tech elites flocked to offer their congratulations to Musk on his impressive innovation.

Demis Hassabis, co–founder and chair of Google DeepMind, responded to Musk's post saying: 'Huge congrats @elonmusk! Incredible work, Blade Runner cars here we come...'

Likewise, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai wrote: 'The FSD [Full Self–Driving] version of this will be something:) congrats!'

Meanwhile, excited tech fans have already started to dream about what this next generation of flying cars might be used for.

One commenter wrote: 'I could have used this in traffic today.'

Another added: 'The next James Bond film has to feature this car.'

While one Tesla enthusiast jokingly suggested: 'Perfect escape car for a heist'.

Musk says he is currently targeting 2028 to begin production of the new sports car.

On Tesla's 'Reserve Your Roadster' webpage, customers can pay a refundable $50,000 (£37,525) deposit on a 'performance' model Tesla Roadster featuring 'active aero and a multi–mode suction system'.

Customers can also reserve a model with a 'thrust' augment, featuring 'acceleration thrusters' for $250,000 (£187,656).

Meanwhile, a 'rocket' augment is available on an invite–only basis, and claims to be: 'Air ready with seating for one. Includes Performance and Thrust, plus a full flight system.' 

Musk's obsession with flying cars dates back to 2018, when he teased a 'SpaceX package' for the Roadster that would use cold–air thrusters – actual rocket tech – to boost performance, improve handling, and maybe even 'hover' for short bursts. 

However, in 2017, Musk claimed flying cars would never take off. 

'Obviously, I like flying things,' Musk told Bloomberg. 

'But it's difficult to imagine the flying car becoming a scalable solution.'

He also said there's a risk of falling debris if flying cars were to get in a mid–air crash.

'If somebody doesn't maintain their flying car, it could drop a hubcap and guillotine you,' Musk said. 

'Your anxiety level will not decrease as a result of things that weigh a lot buzzing around your head.'

But if this latest demonstration is to be believed, Tesla appears to have overcome some of those technical limitations to bring flying cars from science fiction to reality.