Elon Musk is once again sparking the hype surrounding the next-generation Roadster that Tesla has been teasing for a long time, fueling rumors that the next prototype will be something the world has never seen before. As a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk indicated that Tesla is on the verge of making the prototype work and stated that it would have a product demo that would not be forgotten—the most memorable product launch of all time.
The billionaire also indicated that this new-generation Roadster may not even be a ‘car’ in the traditional sense, saying it would have crazy, crazy technology and even be able to fly. According to Musk, “It’s crazier than anything James Bond. If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
The Return of a Legend: From 2017 Unveil to 2025 Demo
The new Roadster was first introduced by Tesla in 2017 with impressive performance specifications: 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, top speed of 250 mph, and a range of 620 miles. The Roadster was planned to be released in 2020, though, similar to many ambitious Tesla endeavors, the Roadster encountered numerous delays.
Musk has occasionally hinted at the project over the years, including a SpaceX package consisting of cold-air thrusters to accelerate at high velocities and even include some hovering features. Almost eight years after its first unveiling, however, it appears that Tesla is now ready to demonstrate to the world what this futuristic supercar has the capability of.
“Flying Car” Possibility: From Cold-Air Thrusters to Fan-Based Systems
In the Rogan interview, Musk brought back the idea of a flying Roadster, citing the initial comment of his friend Peter Thiel that the future should include flying cars. Musk had added, “If Peter wants a flying car, he should be able to buy one.”
Although Musk did not verify any technical specifications, the remarks are consistent with the previous Tesla patents, which highlight experimental propulsion technology. A patent is one that covers a fan-based system that is incorporated in the side skirts of the car. The fans were able to create a vacuum under the car, which greatly enhanced the amount of down force and the handling of the car at high speed.
In theory, with the reversal of airflow, this system too could produce lift, hence the vehicle could fly in short bursts. Through these new SpaceX cold-gas thrusters, along with those discussed earlier, the new Roadster would be able to blur the distinction between car and spacecraft.
Hints from Tesla’s Engineering Activity
Tesla recently placed new advertisements for battery manufacturing engineers who were specifically related to the Roadster program. This is an indication that efforts are currently being made to come up with the high-performance cells needed to propel such a performance car.
This follows the ongoing growth in the company’s in-house battery technology and Tesla stretching the boundaries of electric propulsion. Provided that the rumored flight-capable demo by the Roadster is real, it would probably have to be a highly dense, high-output battery pack that would be able to provide huge bursts of power.
