It was during a Halloween appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast that Elon Musk generated some fresh hype around Tesla’s long overdue Roadster. He promised a prototype demo by year’s end that could redefine what a sports car can do. But his hints at flying capabilities have sparked both hype and doubt among U.S. drivers eyeing the EV market.
A tweet from X.
Musk did not hold back in the Joe Rogan Experience on October 31, 2025:
“One thing I can guarantee is that this product demo will be unforgettable,”
He promised. Pressed on what makes it so special, Musk invoked his friend Peter Thiel:
“My friend Peter Thiel, you know, once reflected that the future was supposed to have flying cars, but we don’t have flying cars.”
He dodged specifics, saying,
“I can’t do the unveil before the unveil.”
But he added,
“Look, I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveil ever.”
Musk teased “crazy technology” crazier than all James Bond cars combined, hinting the Roadster might not even qualify as just a car.
“Is it even a car? I’m not sure. Like, it looks like a car,”
He quipped.
The original Tesla Roadster, which ran from 2008 to 2012, put the company on the map for electric performance. Its second-generation model, which debuted in 2017, promised 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, over 250 mph top speed, and a 620-mile range. Production was eyed for 2020 but slipped repeatedly as Tesla prioritized the Cybertruck and affordable EVs.
In 2021, Musk tossed out SpaceX-style thrusters to hover a meter or so. In July 2025, Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen said the project was alive, promising a demonstration by the end of the year. Delays have frustrated fans, while Musk’s latest chat suggests a breakthrough, or more hype.
“This is some crazy, crazy technology we got in this car.”
Elon Musk, on the Joe Rogan podcast
The podcast clip, shared by Collin Rugg on X, went viral fast. Social media lit up with speculation, ranging from thrilled Tesla enthusiasts to those calling it vaporware. Tesla’s stock jumped about 3% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor optimism amid a U.S. EV boom where over 1 million plug-ins sold last year.
Media outlets interpreted Musk’s Thiel nod as a flying car wink, boosting shares but raising eyebrows. In a country pushing EV incentives via the Inflation Reduction Act, such teases could sway buyers dreaming of next-level tech.
Musk’s comments align with his history of bold promises, some delivered like reusable rockets, others delayed like full self-driving. Tesla hasn’t shown prototypes hovering, separating fact from flair.
“If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
Elon Musk, teasing the Roadster’s features
Aerospace experts question feasibility. Thrusters could enable brief hovers, but battery drain, heat, and safety pose hurdles, says one analyst from the Aerospace Corporation. FAA certification for any airborne vehicle would be a nightmare, demanding pilot training and airspace rules far from street-legal fun.
In the U.S., where EV adoption hits 10% of new sales, regulatory snags could ground ambitions.
“It’s more stunt than practical transport,”
noted an MIT engineer in recent coverage.
Musk’s Roadster tease mixes real innovation with showmanship, exciting U.S. tech fans but warranting caution. Watch for the demo if it delivers, it could turbocharge EV enthusiasm. If not, it’s another chapter in Tesla’s delay saga. Either way, keep eyes on Tesla’s moves hype or not, they’re shaping tomorrow’s roads.
