Although the Tesla Roadster is now more of a myth than a reality, it appears that the dream is still alive. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is once again making audacious promises to fans after years of silence and missed deadlines. A new demonstration of the long-delayed supercar is “getting close,” he recently said, and might take place before the year is out. Musk’s suggestion that the upcoming Tesla Roadster might truly “fly” is even more startling.
A Quick Look Back at the Tesla Roadster Story
The company’s first production vehicle, the original Tesla Roadster, was introduced in 2008 and went out of production in 2012. Then, in 2017, Tesla shocked the auto industry by revealing a brand-new Roadster with incredible specifications:
- 0–60 mph in just 1.9 seconds
- Top speed over 250 mph
- Driving range of 620 miles
- Starting price around $200,000
2020 was the planned start of production, but that never materialized. There was no sign of a Roadster in 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023. Many early buyers have reportedly asked for refunds, and the car’s original specifications are now almost ten years old. However, recent job postings for Roadster battery engineers are one indication that Tesla is still working on the project.
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Elon Musk’s Latest Claims
Musk’s recent three-hour appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience rekindled interest in the Roadster. Regarding the eagerly anticipated supercar, Musk described it as a vehicle with “crazy, crazy technology” and assured that a future demonstration would be “unforgettable.” He went so far as to say it’s “crazier than anything James Bond.”
Musk grinned and replied, “Wait for the demo,” in response to Rogan’s question about the supposed ability to fly. Fans and skeptics alike are left wondering what Tesla is actually planning after his cryptic comment, “Is it even a car?”
The “Flying” Tesla Roadster Explained
Musk has previously discussed a “flying” Tesla Roadster. He made reference to a possible SpaceX package in 2017 that included rocket-inspired cold-gas thrusters. Theoretically, these tiny propulsion systems could improve downforce and acceleration while also enabling the vehicle to hover for brief periods of time.
Experts warn, though, that “flying” most likely doesn’t mean soaring through the skies. Instead, it might be a reference to a feature that uses lift or hovering. A fan-based system that controls airflow underneath the car is described in a Tesla patent. This could produce a lot of downforce for improved handling or, in the opposite direction, a little lift that would enable the Roadster to hover a few feet above the ground.
In other words, the Roadster may perform impressive stunts or “jumps,” but it’s unlikely to be a true flying car like modern eVTOL aircraft.
What Comes Next?
The Tesla Roadster is still one of the most enigmatic projects in the EV industry after eight years of speculation. Musk now claims that a public demonstration will take place by the end of the year, but given Tesla’s history of missing deadlines, skepticism is still justified.
There is no doubt that the Tesla Roadster will continue to captivate auto enthusiasts worldwide, regardless of whether it develops into a revolutionary electric supercar or just another ostentatious prototype.
