Tesla Roadster demonstrates rocket-powered flight, targets 2028 production

Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased a new Roadster capable of rocket-powered flight and said the company plans to begin production in 2028.

In an Oct. 17 video from Magno News, Musk said the Roadster would eventually be the only manually driven vehicle Tesla makes, with its driving performance pushed beyond conventional limits.

A suction-fan system beneath the car can generate up to 2 Gs of force, allowing it to stick upside down. The same system provides downforce on tracks and roads, improving traction and cornering.

The flight system uses technology borrowed from SpaceX. The vehicle has attitude-control thrusters and rear main thrusters, enabling it to fly like a rocket, perform rolls and execute other aerial maneuvers. Musk cautioned that the car was not necessarily optimized for safety, saying the focus was on maximizing driving enjoyment.

In an acceleration test, the Roadster reached 60 mph from a standstill in 0.81 seconds. Musk said the production model should perform better as engineers increase force and reduce mass, while keeping acceleration within limits the occupants can withstand.

The car can exceed 230 mph, with further gains expected. Asked about the ultimate target, Musk said it should reach at least half the speed of sound, or Mach 0.5.

Musk said production would begin in 2028, emphasizing that the Roadster is intended to be a rocket-equipped car that customers can own and drive on public roads.