Tesla Launches Its Much-Awaited Flying Roadster Concept Car With Live Demo In Texas

Electric car company Tesla has unveiled its flying Roadster vehicle with a demonstration in which the car drove upside down, flipped off a ramp and briefly flew, using compressed-air thrusters that Tesla claims will make it the world's quickest production car.

During a live event in Texas, the two-seat Roadster model drove up a half-pipe ramp and launched off the top, remaining in the air for a few seconds before landing

It also became airborne after building up speed on flat ground, launching over a row of parked vehicles. It then lifted off from a stationary position.

A series of thrusters in the bottom and back propelled the car into the air and cushioned the landings.

It was designed by Tesla and SpaceX, both companies led by businessman Elon Musk, who called the second-generation Roadster "a collaboration with the world's best car company and the world's best rocket company".

The thrusters can also fire rearward to boost acceleration. Tesla demonstrated the car reaching 60 miles per hour in a claimed 0.81 seconds, and said it would be the "quickest" production vehicle to 60 miles per hour.

On the half-pipe ramp, the vehicle was able to remain upside down due to a fan suction system. The air tanks in the vehicle are rechargeable and can be recompressed without fuel, according to Tesla.

Long term, Musk said the car will be the "only manual" vehicle in its lineup, referencing plans for driverless vehicles. Though the demonstration used a pre-programmed sequence with no driver.

Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen said the car was designed with an "aerospace aesthetic". It has an angular supercar exterior with scissor doors and a deployable spoiler, and is a coupe with a hard top.