Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, hinting at advanced capabilities for the next-generation Roadster, including potential flying features. He described an upcoming prototype demo as unforgettable and possibly the most memorable product unveil ever. The tease comes amid delays for the long-awaited sports car and policy threats to electric vehicle incentives.
Elon Musk joined Joe Rogan for a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he discussed the Tesla Roadster's development. Musk revealed that Tesla is 'getting close' to demonstrating the prototype, stating, 'One thing I can guarantee is that this product demo will be unforgettable. I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveil ever; hopefully before the end of this year.' He added, 'This is some crazy technology that we got in this car. Is it even a car? It looks like a car. If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.'
The conversation turned to flying cars when Rogan referenced Peter Thiel's remark that 'the future was supposed to have flying cars,' noting that 'we don’t have flying cars.' Rogan asked if Musk was 'actively considering' an electric flying car with retractable wings. Musk responded playfully, 'I think if Peter wants a flying car you should be able to buy one,' and said, 'You will have to see in the demo,' fueling speculation about airborne capabilities.
The second-generation Roadster was unveiled in November 2017 with ambitious specs: 0-60 mph in under 1.0 second using SpaceX cold-gas thrusters for lift, a top speed over 250 mph, and an estimated 620-mile range on a ~200 kWh battery, starting at $200,000. Production, originally slated for 2020, has faced repeated delays, with recent mentions pointing to 2025. Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed the unveil remains on track before year-end, and a job listing for a Roadster manufacturing engineer suggests progress.
This announcement occurs as the Trump administration's budget proposal aims to eliminate electric vehicle tax credits, a policy that could dampen demand for Tesla and other EVs reliant on such incentives.
