Elon Musk’s penchant for making bold promises and teasing outlandish features for the long-awaited Tesla Roadster seems to grow with each delay.
During an interview with Don Lemon for the former CNN anchor’s new podcast, Musk once again raised expectations for the elusive electric vehicle (EV), suggesting that it might transcend the traditional notion of a car altogether and possibly even have the capability to fly, as reported by Automotive News.
Lemon’s interview with Musk, which was uploaded to YouTube on Monday, reportedly led to Musk canceling the anchor’s deal with the social media platform. The conversation, described by Bloomberg as “an implosion,” covered a wide array of topics, including Musk’s perspective on his drug use and its implications for investors, his opinions on racism in the U.S., and his recurrent theme of the “woke mind virus.” Amidst these controversial discussions, the conversation also touched upon the subject of the Roadster.
Renowned for his audacious statements—such as suggesting that the Cybertruck could double as a boat—Musk took his bold promises to new heights during the interview. He asserted that the Roadster would feature some “rocket-y stuff” and described it as “not even really a car,” hinting at a revolutionary fusion of SpaceX and Tesla technologies that would result in a vehicle unlike anything seen before, evoking a futuristic “Jetsons vibes.”
When pressed by Lemon about whether the Roadster’s unconventional nature meant it could fly, Musk responded with a chuckle, indicating that it was not entirely out of the realm of possibility. While he refrained from divulging too many details, Musk reiterated that the Roadster would boast remarkable acceleration capabilities, purportedly achieving zero to 60 mph in under a second, with even more exhilarating features yet to be unveiled.
However, amidst Musk’s visionary musings, skepticism abounds regarding the Roadster’s actual production. Originally announced during the unveiling of the Tesla Semi in 2017, the sports car has faced numerous delays. Initially slated for production in 2020, then pushed to 2021, then 2023, and subsequently 2024, the Roadster’s release date has been continually postponed. In a recent announcement, Musk once again acknowledged the delay, pushing the release to the following year. Yet, given the Roadster’s tumultuous history, many remain dubious about its eventual arrival.
