Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has announced that the long-delayed new generation of the Tesla Roadster (second generation) may be showcased before the end of 2025 — and with a twist: it might fly.
When appearing on the The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk said:
> “We’re getting close to… demonstrating the prototype. One thing I can guarantee is that this product demo will be unforgettable. Unforgettable.”
He added, somewhat cryptically:
“Whether it’s good or bad, it will be unforgettable.”
Asked whether the car would feature flying or hovering capabilities, Musk referred to a remark by his friend Peter Thiel:
> “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.”
Musk also described the upcoming vehicle as having “crazy, crazy technology” and questioned:
> “Is it even a car? … It looks like a car. Let’s just put it this way: it’s crazier than anything James Bond. If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
Background: The Roadster’s long journey so far
Tesla originally unveiled the new Roadster in 2017, setting ambitious specs including from 0-60 mph in ~1.9 seconds and a range of ~620 miles (~998 km) under ideal conditions.
Production had been slated for 2020 — but that target came and went.
Development continued: in 2024 the design was “close to being finalised” and Tesla said a demo could happen by end of 2025.
What might “flying” really mean?
Musk’s choice of words — “flying”, “hovering”, “crazy technology”, “is it even a car?” — has sparked speculation among analysts:
One possibility: some sort of vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) or hover capability added to the Roadster, which would blur the line between car and aircraft.
Tesla has previously hinted at what it called a “SpaceX package” for the Roadster — involving cold-gas thrusters to boost acceleration and downforce, possibly enabling hover.
Experts are cautious: a true flying car means meeting aviation safety, certification and infrastructure requirements — a tall order. Some suggest the “flying” might be more like a dramatic jump, hover or concept stunt rather than full plane-style flight.
Why this matters (and why we should be skeptical)
Why it matters:
If Tesla genuinely delivers such a vehicle, it would mark a major leap in personal mobility — bringing the “flying car” dream closer to reality.
It would reinforce Tesla’s image as a technology leader pushing boundaries.
It could influence competitors and the broader auto/air-mobility industry, accelerating efforts around eVTOLs, hybrid car/aircraft systems etc.
Why caution is warranted:
Tesla’s timeline history: many past announcements (including this same Roadster) have been delayed significantly.
Practical challenges remain huge: certification, safety, cost, infrastructure for flying vehicles, regulations etc.
Musk’s language itself has hedged: he said “hopefully before the end of the year.”
A demo is not the same as full production or consumer availability.
What to watch for next
A formal announcement or invite for the demo event: when and where will Tesla show the prototype?
Technical details: what exactly does “flying” mean for this Roadster? Hover? Wings? Thrusters? Altitude? Range?
Regulatory disclosures: will Tesla seek aviation certification, or will the vehicle be a road-legal car with limited air capability?
Production timeline & pricing: even if demo happens, will production follow soon? Will consumers be able to buy it (and at what cost)?
Impact on Tesla’s business: how this fits in with Tesla’s other promises (e.g., autonomous ride-hail, new models) and whether this drives investor confidence.
Bottom line
Elon Musk is promising a potentially ground-(or rather air-)breaking demo of Tesla’s new Roadster by the end of 2025, with the claim that it might fly or at least hover. While the vision is bold and could redefine what a “car” can be, the history of delays and the enormous technical and regulatory hurdles suggest that we should treat these claims with healthy scepticism. The demo might happen — but whether the full product will reach consumers, or what “flying” really means in this context, remains to be seen.
