Elon Musk is back with another bold promise — this time, he says Tesla’s long-delayed Roadster — yes, the “next-gen” high-performance electric supercar unveiled in 2017 — might actually fly.
Appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast last week, the Tesla CEO hinted that the next-generation Roadster will feature “crazy technology” and teased an “unforgettable” product demonstration that could happen before the end of 2025.
Musk told Rogan that Tesla was “getting close to demonstrating the prototype” and described the upcoming event as “unforgettable — whether it’s good or bad.”
That cryptic remark set off a wave of speculation that Musk may finally be ready to show off what he once called the “SpaceX package” for the Roadster, which would use cold-gas thrusters — similar to those used in rockets — that could improve performance or even allow the car to hover for short periods, or even briefly fly.
When Rogan asked if the car would actually take off, Musk dodged the question but smiled: “Well, you know, my friend Peter Thiel, once reflected that the future was supposed to have flying cars, but we don’t have flying cars. I mean, I think if Peter wants a flying car, we should be able to buy one.”
From Supercar To Sci-Fi
First unveiled in 2017, the second-generation Tesla Roadster was the spiritual successor to the company’s original sports car. At the time, Musk promised mind-blowing specs: 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a 620-mile range, and a top speed north of 250 mph. The car was supposed to ship in 2020, but five years and several delays later, the car still hasn’t arrived.
Now, Musk’s latest comments suggest the vehicle could feature technology far beyond conventional design, blending electric power with experimental aerospace engineering. “It has crazy technology,” he told Rogan. “Is it even a car? I’m not sure. It looks like a car, but it’s crazier than anything James Bond.”
Flying Cars, Or Just Hot Air?
Musk is known for turning science fiction into marketing buzz. The Roadster project has faced repeated delays, and previous Tesla promises — like the Hyperloop or fully autonomous “Robotaxis” — have yet to match their original vision. Let’s be real: a road-legal flying Tesla is wildly unlikely anytime soon.
True flying vehicles, in particular, also known as VTOLs (vertical take-off and landing aircraft), face huge technical and regulatory hurdles. They need massive power, specialized airspace approval, and trained pilots. Even small “hovering” demonstrations would require careful safety testing.
Still, Tesla has filed patents suggesting it’s experimenting with a “fan-car system” that could create downforce — or, in reverse, lift the vehicle slightly off the ground, enough for a brief hover, perhaps.
Long Road To Reality
Despite its futuristic ambitions, Tesla has struggled to bring the Roadster to market. The company continues to accept deposits for the model, originally priced at $200,000, but production has yet to begin.
For now, fans and skeptics alike are holding their breath. Whether the Tesla Roadster finally takes flight or will this be yet another Musk promise that never quite gets off the ground remains to be seen.
