Musk Unveils Thruster-Equipped Tesla Roadster, Targets 2028 Production

Musk Unveils Thruster-Equipped Tesla Roadster, Targets 2028 Production

Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has unveiled a redesigned Roadster prototype equipped with propulsion technology developed in collaboration with SpaceX, showcasing a vehicle capable of briefly lifting off the ground during a livestreamed demonstration in Texas.

The demonstration took place on Thursday at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, where the vehicle used a combination of a suction system and thrusters to perform a series of manoeuvres, including lifting into the air, rotating and landing back on the ground.

Musk described the vehicle as the product of collaboration between Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, his aerospace company. He said the car uses ultra-high-pressure air tanks to generate thrust and enable movements beyond those of conventional road vehicles.

“Flying cars are real,” Musk declared during the event, while acknowledging that the technology’s success was not guaranteed.

The unveiling marks a significant milestone for the next-generation Roadster, which Tesla first presented in 2017. The vehicle’s development has faced repeated delays, with the company now targeting 2028 for production to begin.

However, questions remain about the regulatory requirements and whether the thruster-equipped configuration will be approved for use on public roads. The demonstration showcased a prototype, and its performance does not establish that all planned production models will have the same capabilities.

The unveiling has renewed attention on the future of high-performance electric vehicles and the potential application of aerospace technology in the automotive industry.

Musk Unveils Thruster-Equipped Tesla Roadster, Targets 2028 Production