New York: In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk dropped a major hint: the upcoming Tesla Roadster might not just be a car anymore—it could blur the lines between a car and an aircraft.
Here’s a breakdown of what he said, why it matters, and what challenges lie ahead.
What Did Musk Say?
- Musk claimed he’s “getting close to” demonstrating the prototype of the next-generation Roadster, with a possible unveiling “before the end of the year.”
- He described the vehicle’s tech as “crazy technology. Crazy, crazy.” and questioned whether it is even a car.
- When asked if it would have retractable wings, Musk dodged specifics, saying: “I can’t do the unveil before the unveil.” But he added it “it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveil ever.”
- Comparing it to something from the movies, Musk said: “It’s crazier than anything James Bond… if you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
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Why It’s a Big Deal
- From car to aircraft? The idea of a “flying car” has been floating around for decades. Musk’s teaser suggests that Tesla may be aiming for more than just a high-performance electric sports car. The possibility of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) or retractable wings was implied.
- Brand boost & media splash. For Tesla, a reveal of this magnitude could generate massive buzz—something Musk himself suggested: a historic product unveiling.
- Technology leap. If true, the integration of “crazy technology” could signal breakthroughs in propulsion, aerodynamics, or battery systems—far beyond typical EV updates.
- Competitive edge. The flying-car/VTOL space is heating up, with multiple startups and companies exploring it. Musk’s involvement would instantly put Tesla in that arena.
Why You Should Take It With Caution
- Musk’s timeline track record is loose. Many of his promises have faced delays—whether it’s rockets, autonomous driving, or other tech. His “before the end of the year” timeline comes with a caveat of “hopefully.”
- Technical & regulatory hurdles. Designing a flying car isn’t simply adding wings. It involves aviation certification, pilot licensing, safety standards, infrastructure for take-off/landing, and so on.
- Prototype vs. production. Musk emphasized “demonstrating the prototype,” not launching a product for sale. The gap between demo and mass production may still be large.
- Skepticism is healthy. Many past “flying car” announcements have ended up as very limited prototypes or stalled projects.
What to Watch For
- Reveal of the prototype. If Tesla sticks to its claim of a demo before year-end, we should expect images or footage soon.
- Clarification of tech. Will it truly fly? Or is it just a dramatic car with wild features? Musk has teased the former but not confirmed it.
- Regulatory statements. Any mention of certification, pilot usage, or take-off/landing infrastructure will be telling.
- Impact on Tesla’s business. If real, this could open up new markets or at least drastically shift Tesla’s image. If it is delayed or vaporware, it could raise questions about the credibility of delivery.
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For fans of electric vehicles and the boundary between car and aircraft, Musk’s comments are fascinating. The notion that the upcoming Roadster might be more than a car—maybe even a flying machine—excites the imagination. Yet the realism of turning that into a market-ready product remains uncertain.
What we have now is a bold promise: “crazy technology… more than a car.” Whether that promise becomes a supercar on the road, a flying vehicle in the sky, or simply a dramatic concept remains to be seen.
As always with Musk announcements, the headline is tantalising—but staying grounded (pun intended) is wise. Stay tuned for the reveal, and let’s see how Tesla delivers.
