Tesla has unveiled a prototype of its new Roadster sports car, featuring rocket technology that allows the vehicle to briefly lift off the ground, with production expected to begin in 2028.

According to CNN, the unveiling took place on Thursday at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas, United States, where the two-seater vehicle demonstrated a series of manoeuvres, including driving upside down before making a brief airborne movement.

Speaking at the event, Tesla founder Elon Musk acknowledged the risks involved in the demonstration, saying, “Success is not guaranteed. I mean that. It’ll probably work, but if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance.”

The prototype is equipped with 10 nozzles and high-pressure air tanks designed to generate thrust, with Musk claiming the vehicle could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than a second.

Musk attributed the development to a collaboration between Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, the rocket company he also leads.

He described the project as “the results of what happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.”

Seeking to convince spectators that the demonstration was genuine, Musk said the audience had been invited to witness the display firsthand.

“We need an audience to prove that it’s not AI or SI. So you guys can tell people you saw it with your eyes, because what you see with your eyes, you will not believe,” he said.

The demonstration has drawn attention to Tesla’s attempt to incorporate rocket technology into a sports car, although questions remain about the vehicle’s ability to sustain flight and its potential practicality for everyday transportation.

While the prototype demonstrated a brief airborne manoeuvre, it remains unclear whether the technology will eventually support sustained flight or be limited to short bursts of lift.