Elon Musk Reacts to Tesla Roadster's 'Flying' Debut: 'Well it worked'

Elon Musk expressed relief and excitement after the unveiling of Tesla's redesigned Roadster, a vehicle he claimed "can basically fly like a rocket." The demonstration, held at a SpaceX site in McGregor, Texas, showcased the electric supercar performing maneuvers that Musk described as "crazy gymnastics."

"Well it worked," Musk quipped to attendees after the vehicle successfully completed its display without incident. He noted the futuristic capabilities of the Roadster, which he suggested was "better than any James Bond car," and emphasized the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers.

The demonstration featured the Roadster driving upside down on an inclined ramp using a suction system. Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, explained that a fan suction system could generate up to 2Gs of force, enabling the car to adhere to the surface. "Then we borrowed some technology from SpaceX to do the rest," Moravy added.

The car, which Moravy humorously stated "really sucks," then performed a kick-flip maneuver. It accelerated towards a truck and other Tesla vehicles before using built-in thrusters to launch into the air, reach an altitude of approximately 21 feet, rotate, and land. The vehicle achieved a 0 to 60 mph time of 0.81 seconds, with Musk suggesting it could potentially exceed Mach 0.5 (half the speed of sound).

Musk alluded to the vehicle's advanced propulsion systems, stating, "We have a fan suction system on the bottom of the car... Then we borrowed some technology from SpaceX to do the rest." He also mentioned the car's steer-by-wire system and a battery range of at least 300 miles, with a top speed of up to 230 mph.

Reflecting on the event on X, Musk posted, "Turns out the future does have flying cars." He had previously teased the unveiling as potentially "the most memorable product unveil ever."

Production for the new Roadster is slated to begin in 2028. A "performance" version will require a $50,000 deposit, while a "Thrust" version, equipped with acceleration thrusters, will necessitate a $250,000 deposit.

Musk acknowledged potential legal ambiguities regarding the car's road legality in various jurisdictions but assured that "there will be such a car that someone can own," adding it would be a "viable car" depending on local street conditions.

This unveiling marks the first appearance of the Roadster in 18 years, following the debut of Tesla's original electric vehicle in 2008. The company is increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence, self-driving technology, and robotics, having recently ceased sales of its Model S and X vehicles.