Elon Musk has said for years that he wants to offer a rocket drive package to increase the already ridiculous speed of the second generation Tesla Roadster. But now he says he’s considering using the propellers to make the Roadster soar as well.
“I want it to float, and I’re trying to figure out how to make this thing float without killing people,” Musk told Joe Rogan in a new episode of the Joe Rogan Experience released Thursday. ‘Maybe it could float like a meter above the ground, or something like that. If you fall, it will blow out the suspension, but you are not going to die. ‘
It’s an extraordinary idea and one that will surely cause a headache for safety regulators if Musk actually goes through it when the new Roadster hits the market in 2022.
Musk has a history of shifting boundaries with Tesla’s cars, though lately he seems more willing to make choices that could force regulators to act. The redesigned Model S sedan and Model X SUV announced last month, for example, each with a U-shaped yoke steering wheel that was reportedly a surprise to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These new vehicles will also automatically switch between park, reverse, neutral and drive.
Rogan asked Musk if the steering wheel was legal in the new interview.
“Yes, I mean they use a yoke in Formula One,” Musk said.
“Yes, but you’re not on the highway in a Formula One car,” Rogan replied. “I like to ride like that and rest my hand on top of the wheel.”
“Well, Autopilot gets good enough that you mostly don’t have to drive,” Musk said. “I find that you can rest your hand on your knee … it works great.”
In 2013, Musk buys James Bond’s submarine engine from The spy who loved me and promised to change it. He still owns the car, but did not respond repeat requests for comment on whether he has achieved the goal.