History
In 2011, at the end of the production run of the original Tesla Roadster, Musk suggested that a new version of the Roadster, without the Lotus Elise chassis, could return to production by 2014.[6] The new Roadster was first teased in 2014.[7] At the time, it was also referred to as the Tesla Model R.[8]
In 2015, Musk suggested a new Roadster as early as 2019, capable of faster acceleration.[9][10][11] A tweet by Musk in December 2016 said that a second Roadster was in Tesla plans, but still "some years away".[12][13] The second Roadster was designed by Franz von Holzhausen.[14]
A prototype of the Roadster was shown in a surprise moment at the end of the Tesla Semi event on November 16, 2017, when a Roadster was driven out of the back of one of the semi-truck trailers to the song "Sabotage",[15] with a tease of availability in the year 2020 at the starting price of US$200,000.[16][17] Musk explained the concept as: "The point of doing this is to give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars. Driving a gasoline sports car is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche."[18] Test rides were given at the event for those who immediately paid the first $5,000 of a $50,000 deposit to pre-order the vehicle.[18][19][20]
In June 2018, Musk revealed a potential feature called "SpaceX option package" for the Roadster.[26] This would add around ten cold gas thrusters to the car to improve maneuverability; it would comprise an electric pump to recharge an air tank used to provide compressed air flowing through propelling nozzles to generate a cold jet thrust. The air tanks, based on "composite overwrapped pressure vessel" (COPV) also used in the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, would replace the back seats. The thrusters would be used to improve cornering, acceleration, top speed, and braking.[27][28][29] Working pressure would be 10000 psi.[30]
On June 27, 2019, Musk tweeted that a "2.1 sec 0-60 mph was the base model before adding rocket thruster option".[31]
In July 2020, during the 2020 second quarter financial results conference call, Musk stated that Tesla plans to tentatively build the Roadster in California and production would be in the next 12 to 18 months, indicating mid to late 2021.[32]
In January 2021, Musk tweeted that production would be delayed until 2022. He commented that in 2021, the company would finish engineering the Roadster with the goal of having a "candidate design drivable late summer".[33] In September 2021, Musk said that production would be delayed until 2023.[34] Musk further confirmed the 2023 target at the 2021 shareholder's meeting in October,[35] which was then changed to 2024 at the May 2023 shareholder's meeting.[36] In February 2024, the production date was changed to 2025.[37]
In April 2022, on the opening night of Cyber Rodeo, Musk announced that the Gigafactory in Texas would be in production with the Cybertruck, Roadster, and Semi, which was moved from the Fremont factory in California.[38]
In February 2024, Musk made a post on X that the production version of the Roadster would be unveiled in late 2024, and deliveries would begin in early 2025, the car would be able accelerate to 60 mph in under 1 second,[39] and steer-by-wire similar to the Cybertruck would be included.[40]
At the Q3 2024 earnings call in October 2024, Musk said that the design of the Roadster is close to being finalized, and production would be delayed to 2025-2026.[41]
In February 2025, Tesla engineering VP Lars Moravy confirmed that work on the Roadster and cold-gas thrusters was ongoing.[42]
In July 2025, Moravy said that the development of the Tesla Roadster is underway, it will be the "Last Best Driver's Car" and that a demo could happen by the end of 2025.[43]
In August 2025, Tesla filed a patent for ground effect technology for the new Roadster.[44]
In October 2025, Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed that the Tesla Roadster unveiling and demo was still on track for late 2025.[45] On October 28, Tesla posted a job listing for a "Roadster manufacturing engineer" position based in Fremont, California.[46] On October 31, Elon Musk teased that the Roadster "would be the most unforgettable demo" and mentioned the demo would happen by the end of 2025 at the Joe Rogan’s podcast.[47]
In the November 2025 shareholder meeting, Elon Musk said the Roadster production version will be unveiled on April 1, 2026, and that production would begin 12 to 18 months later (April to October 2027).[48]
In January 2026, Tesla confirmed on the Q4 earnings that production of the Roadster is prepared and ready.[49]
In February 2026, Tesla filed trademarks for the "Roadster" name logo, and the final design silhouette.[50]
In March 2026, Tesla filed patents for one piece seats for the Roadster.[51] In the same month, Elon Musk stated that the new Roadster would be unveiled by the end of April 2026.[52]
In March 2026, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the production version of the second-generation Tesla Roadster would officially be unveiled in late April 2026. Framing the vehicle within the company's broader transition toward autonomy, Musk referred to the Roadster as "the best of the last of the human-driven cars." Production of the vehicle is expected to commence 12 to 18 months following the April reveal event.[53][54]
