At SpaceX’s Texas facility, Elon Musk stepped onto a stage and declared, ‘Turns out the future does have flying cars.’ The crowd, a mix of tech enthusiasts and industry insiders, buzzed with anticipation. Moments later, the curtain dropped, revealing Tesla’s latest marvel: the Roadster 2, a sports car equipped with rocket-powered features that promised to take drivers—literally—to new heights.
The Roadster 2 isn’t just a car; it’s a fusion of automotive and aerospace engineering. With technology borrowed from SpaceX, the vehicle boasts rocket boosters and an aerodynamic system that allows it to fly short distances and land like a spacecraft. Musk himself demonstrated the car’s capabilities. ‘Flying cars are real,’ Tesla executive Lars Moravy proclaimed, echoing Musk’s sentiment. But as the dust settled, questions arose about the car’s feasibility for everyday use.
For those eager to own a piece of this future, Tesla has set a steep price. Reservations for the fully equipped ‘Rocket’ variant start at 250,000 euros, with a deposit of 250,000 dollars required. A more grounded option, the ‘Performance’ version without rocket features, is available for 50,000 euros and a $50,000 deposit. Pre-orders are open, but production isn’t slated to begin until 2028, giving regulators and skeptics ample time to weigh in.
’ Michael McCormick, another industry insider, predicted that securing such certification could take ‘at least a year.
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Musk himself admitted, ‘I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions.’ And he’s right. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the Earth’s surface, meaning the Roadster 2 would need FAA certification to fly legally. Scott Miller, an aviation expert, confirmed this, stating, ‘The FAA has jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the surface of the earth.’ Michael McCormick, another industry insider, predicted that securing such certification could take ‘at least a year.’
While Tesla’s innovation is undeniably bold, not everyone is convinced. Critics point to the company’s reliance on cameras for its autonomous driving technology, which has faced scrutiny for its lack of lidar—a more reliable sensor system. The Roadster 2’s flying capabilities add another layer of complexity, raising concerns about safety, reliability, and the need for specialized licenses. The demonstration, which involved an awkward maneuver, raised questions about the feasibility of the technology for everyday use.
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Despite the skepticism, Tesla’s Roadster 2 represents a significant leap forward in automotive technology. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when the boundaries between industries blur. Musk’s vision of flying cars isn’t just a sci-fi fantasy; it’s a tangible, if imperfect, reality. As Elon Musk said, ‘Le auto volanti sono una realtà’—flying cars are a reality.
As of now, the Roadster 2 remains a prototype, with production scheduled for 2028. Regulatory approval, public acceptance, and technological refinement are all hurdles that lie ahead. But for Elon Musk and Tesla, the unveiling marked a milestone: the moment when the line between road and sky began to fade. Whether the Roadster 2 becomes a common sight or remains a high-priced novelty, it has already sparked a conversation about the future of transportation—and the limits of human ingenuity.
Tesla describes its Roadster as a pilot's car featuring active aerodynamics and cold-gas thrusters.