Elon Musk has once again captured the world’s attention by teasing what could be one of his most ambitious visions yet — the possible release of a flying car. The Tesla CEO, known for his penchant for groundbreaking innovation and audacious goals, hinted at this futuristic concept during his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Friday. In the discussion, Musk invoked venture capitalist Peter Thiel’s well-known observation that society was promised a future filled with flying cars, yet the skies remain conspicuously empty and our streets continue to be dominated by traditional vehicles. This remark set the stage for a compelling conversation about how such a long-imagined technology might finally come within reach.
When host Joe Rogan pressed Musk for details, directly asking whether he was seriously contemplating the production of an electric flying car — and even inquiring if such a vehicle might feature retractable wings — Musk responded with characteristic playfulness and restraint. “I can’t do the unveil before the unveil,” he said cryptically, before adding that this potential new venture could very well represent “the most memorable product unveil ever.” His coy answer both fueled speculation and heightened anticipation among audiences eager to glimpse Tesla’s next leap beyond conventional automotive boundaries.
This exchange unfolded within a broader dialogue about the forthcoming Tesla Roadster prototype, a model Musk has repeatedly described in near-mythic terms. He characterized the project as one involving “crazy technology,” pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation to levels that, in his words, are “crazier than anything James Bond.” Musk further revealed that progress on the Roadster prototype is advancing rapidly, emphasizing that he is “getting close” to demonstrating the vehicle. He expressed optimism that a public demonstration could take place “hopefully before the end of the year,” assuring fans that the event would be nothing short of “unforgettable.” His confidence, paired with Tesla’s history of redefining the automobile industry, suggests that this much-anticipated unveiling could become a milestone moment in the evolution of high-performance vehicles.
Musk’s conversation with Rogan arrived amidst a swirl of related stories and public interest, coinciding with a renewed surge of attention surrounding the Tesla Roadster’s development timeline. Just a day earlier, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman added a provocative twist to the narrative by sharing screenshots on social media that shed light on his personal experience as a Roadster customer. The images revealed that Altman had placed a $45,000 deposit in 2018 for a second-generation Roadster, only to later request a cancellation and a $50,000 refund. However, when the refund request failed to go through — the email reportedly bounced — Altman humorously remarked that he had been “really excited for the car” and understood the company’s setbacks, but noted that “7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.” His comments underscored the public’s mounting impatience for Tesla’s next high-performance marvel, while also serving as a reminder of the challenges intrinsic to developing such a complex engineering feat.
The original Tesla Roadster, notably, holds a place of historical importance as the company’s first consumer vehicle — the car that effectively launched Tesla’s reputation as a disruptive force in the automotive industry. The prototype for the second-generation Roadster made its debut in 2017, when Musk boldly claimed that it would be “the fastest production car ever made, period.” Despite this bold proclamation, the car has yet to reach consumers, and its release date remains uncertain. The enduring anticipation, however, speaks to the powerful brand mystique that surrounds Tesla and Musk’s future-oriented promises.
Even as Musk teases the idea of a Tesla flying car, he faces growing competition from other innovators within the nascent aerial mobility sector. Alef, a California-based technology startup, has already secured agreements with two Bay Area airports to conduct test flights of its vertically launching vehicle — a design intended to blur the boundary between automobile and aircraft. Similarly, Joby Aviation, another pioneer in the field of electric aircraft, is developing vehicles for potential air-taxi operations, with test flights already underway. These developments highlight a rapidly evolving technological race, one that could reshape how humans think about personal travel, urban transport, and the very meaning of mobility.
Musk’s recent media blitz extended beyond his talk with Rogan. He also appeared on the All-In Podcast on Friday, using these platforms to amplify public interest just as he approaches a critical juncture for Tesla. On November 6, shareholders are set to vote on a monumental proposal regarding Musk’s new compensation plan — a pay package that could be valued at up to one trillion dollars, contingent upon Tesla meeting its ambitious performance goals. The timing of Musk’s public statements appears anything but coincidental, as he continues to blend innovation, spectacle, and strategic communication in his ongoing quest to position Tesla as a symbol of technological advancement, societal transformation, and visionary ambition.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-teases-flying-cars-roadster-joe-rogan-media-blitz-2025-10
