Are videos of Tesla’s new ‘flying’ car performing mid-air stunts real?

Claim:

Electric vehicle maker Tesla published footage on Oct. 15 genuinely depicting its new “flying” car executing mid-air maneuvers.

Rating:

Context

Tesla released the videos to mark the official debut of its upcoming Roadster. The clips feature the vehicle performing various aerial stunts before an audience. Spectators also shared their own footage from the venue, verifying Tesla’s recording. Whether the automobile can truly be considered “flying” based on the demonstration remains open to interpretation, and it stays uncertain if the final production model will match the capabilities showcased in the videos.

On Oct. 15, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla alongside various social media users shared recordings purportedly featuring the brand’s new “flying” automobile conducting several airborne maneuvers.

The media captures the unveiling event for the automaker’s long-anticipated Roadster lineup. It displays a prototype ascending an inverted ramp prior to launching and landing back on its tires, jumping across a line of alternative Tesla merchandise, and surging from zero to 60 mph in a mere 0.81 seconds.

Throughout the broadcast, Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and co-presenters repeatedly alluded to the machine as a “flying car.”

Readers frequently consult our platform to uncover further details regarding the automobile.

Ultimately, no evidence points to the footage being fabricated, meaning it was neither generated via artificial intelligence applications nor produced through digital manipulation. Tesla broadcasted the event live via YouTube on Oct. 15. The presentation highlighted the brand’s updated Roadster edition in front of an in-person crowd. Several attendees subsequently uploaded personal recordings to online platforms, confirming the authenticity of Tesla’s material. Consequently, we categorize this assertion as true.

Spectators published their respective videos (archived), and established automotive publication Top Gear confirmed that editorial staff members were present to witness the demonstrations firsthand. Mainstream journalistic sources likewise reported on the gathering.

Although the media thrilled vehicle enthusiasts and technology specialists globally, certain individuals expressed skepticism regarding Tesla’s characterization of the new Roadster as a genuine “flying” automobile (archived, archived).

No indicators suggest the showcases of the Roadster’s capabilities were fraudulent. The gathering occurred before a live audience, with Tesla head Elon Musk remarking, “We need an audience to prove that it’s not AI or SI.” SI stands for Super Intelligence, a terminology utilized by U.S. President Donald Trump as a modern designation for artificial intelligence.

Nevertheless, whether the Roadster qualifies as a true flying vehicle remains subjective. The displays illustrated the prototype descending or propelling off a platform and managing its descent over short spans. Musk noted that the automobile could “fly like a rocket,” though prolonged flight over extended distances was not exhibited during the presentation.

Because the car remains unreleased as of this writing, uncertainty persists over whether the commercial release—should it eventually enter the market—will possess the identical functions displayed in the recordings. The prototype operated without a human operator.

Second-Generation Roadster nearly 10 years in development

Tesla initially unveiled its second-iteration Roadster during a presentation in November 2017. The following year, Musk hinted via X (archived), formerly Twitter, that the upcoming Roadster might incorporate a “SpaceX option package” comprising approximately “10 small rocket thrusters positioned seamlessly around the vehicle.” 

“These rocket engines substantially enhance acceleration, top speed, braking, and cornering,” Musk stated, “Perhaps they will even permit a Tesla to take flight.”

SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly …

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

However, Musk subsequently became occupied with alternative business acquisitions, such as Twitter, causing development on the Roadster to slow down.

Roughly nine years post-announcement, Musk announced that Tesla would commence manufacturing of a revised Roadster in 2028. This model would utilize an underbody suction mechanism enabling inverted driving alongside SpaceX thrusters designed to facilitate rocket-like flight.

Based on information from Tesla’s official portal, the manufacturer plans to market two distinct variants of the Roadster. The “Thrust” edition will incorporate “a multi-mode suction apparatus coupled with cold-gas thrusters” enabling zero-to-60 mph acceleration in less than one second. The “Rocket” edition, accessible to consumers exclusively by invitation, represents the flying configuration equipped with cold-gas thrusters that “facilitate forward and upward propulsion alongside rotational movement.”

Tesla asserts regarding the “Rocket” model, “So yes, it can fly.”

The corporation clarifies online that the “Rocket” variant remains “unauthorized for public highway operation.” At the time of publication, regulations governing flying automobiles remain undefined, as do the specific credentials a driver or pilot would require for operation.

According to technology outlet The Verge and financial publication CNBC, numerous early supporters submitted $50,000 reservations for the Roadster back in 2017. OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman reportedly received a refund for his $45,000 deposit in 2025 following a post on X where he noted (archived), “I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.”

For additional reading, our team regularly reviews stories associated with Musk and Tesla.

Sources