Elon Musk says Tesla's next Roadster could hover or even fly

Elon Musk claims his new Tesla Roadster will feature technology "crazier than anything James Bond" and hints at a flying car demonstration before year's end.

During Friday's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, the Tesla CEO teased an "unforgettable" prototype demonstration for the long-delayed sports car, originally promised in 2017 but still not in production. When pressed about whether the vehicle could actually fly, Musk deflected but referenced venture capitalist Peter Thiel's complaint about the lack of flying cars, saying, "If Peter wants a flying car we should be able to buy one."

Musk has previously mentioned a "SpaceX package" for the Roadster, potentially featuring cold-gas thrusters for enhanced acceleration and limited hovering capability.

However, Musk's track record on bold promises gives observers pause. His Las Vegas Loop was initially pitched as a 155-mile-per-hour automated transport system but currently operates with manually driven Teslas crawling through tunnels at low speeds.

Regulatory hurdles remain formidable. Most passenger aircraft in the US require specialized pilot licenses, while autonomous flight in urban airspace presents significant safety challenges.