This week, Elon Musk hosted the reveal of the new Tesla Roadster — nine years in the making — from the SpaceX rocket testing facility in Waco, Texas. The choice of location was apt, because this electric supercar can fly. Sort of.

The event lasted less than 30 minutes and kicked off with the Roadster driving up a vertical ramp, clinging to the side, and coming to a standstill. Upside down. The car proceeded to reverse back down the ramp, before accelerating up it again, flipping off into mid-air, stabilizing, and flying down to the ground.

Later on in the demonstration, the car launched itself into the air and barrel-rolled over a line of other Tesla cars — including the semi — before landing again. In the words of Tesla's VP for Engineering, Lars Moravy, "We borrowed some technology from SpaceX."

That SpaceX technology Moravy is referring to includes a fan-based suction system on the bottom of the car, capable of pulling up to two Gs of force. Meanwhile, the air-based manoeuvrability comes from two high-pressure air tanks and 10 nozzles placed around the car that act as thrusters. Each tank is 600 liters, containing around 250 kilograms of air — which can be recharged without the need for any chemical propellant.

So, yes. Elon Musk has delivered on his promise of creating a flying car.

"I should say that this is not necessarily a safety-optimized car. But it takes the fun meter to 11 out of 10," the billionaire told the assembled crowd at the launch event.

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