The second-generation Tesla Roadster has been a topic of much anticipation and speculation in the automotive world since its surprise reveal alongside the Tesla Semi in November 2017. For those Tesla enthusiasts who placed a $50,000 deposit back then, the question of when they will finally receive their electric sports car is more pressing than ever. Originally slated for a 2020 launch by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the Roadster’s arrival has faced numerous delays.
The unveiling of the Roadster, envisioned as a successor to Tesla’s inaugural vehicle from 2008, sparked excitement with promises of groundbreaking performance. Positioned as a 2+2 electric convertible, it’s set to compete with vehicles like the Polestar 6, also anticipated to debut next year. However, as we move further into 2025, the automotive community and eager reservation holders are left wondering: Will 2026 finally be the year for the Tesla Roadster Release Date? Or has Tesla shifted its focus towards projects like the autonomous Cybercab and the more affordable Model Q? Let’s delve into everything we currently know about the Tesla Roadster and its perpetually shifting release timeline.
Tesla Roadster: A Timeline of Release Date Delays
At its 2017 debut, the initially announced 2020 Tesla Roadster release date seemed ambitious but within reach, even considering Tesla’s history of timeline adjustments. Despite showcasing a prototype at various public events, including a prominent display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, the production timeline continued to slip.
In the spring of 2020, Elon Musk indicated that production was anticipated to commence within 12 to 18 months. This optimism was short-lived. By early 2021, Musk announced via tweet another postponement, pushing the Tesla Roadster release date to 2022. He cited engineering completion by the end of 2021 as the plan. However, by September of the same year, another delay surfaced, rescheduling production to 2023.
The pattern continued into May 2023, with yet another delay moving the target release date to 2024. February 2024 brought further adjustments, shifting the anticipated date to 2025. Musk also mentioned in early 2024 that a production-ready version of the Roadster would be unveiled before the year’s end, with customer deliveries starting in early 2025. This unveiling did not materialize, and the likelihood of a near-term Tesla Roadster release date appears increasingly slim.
During a late 2024 earnings call, Musk acknowledged the long wait for Roadster deposit holders, stating, “I’d certainly like to thank our long-suffering deposit holders of the Tesla Roadster.” He added that the company was nearing completion of the car’s design, but prioritized projects with a “more serious impact on the good of the world,” positioning the Roadster as “the cherry on the icing on the cake.” This statement further dampened expectations for an imminent Tesla Roadster release date, unofficially pushing it further out, now expected in 2026.
Tesla Roadster Price and Models
When initially announced in 2017, Tesla set the starting price for the Roadster at $200,000. They also unveiled plans for a limited “Roadster Foundation Series,” capped at 1,000 units, priced at $250,000. These exclusive editions were promised to be delivered before the standard, more affordable version.
Securing an order for the standard Roadster required a $50,000 deposit, while the Founders Series demanded the full $250,000 upfront. Although Tesla hasn’t officially announced Roadster sales beyond the US market, their UK website allows customers to place a refundable £4,000 deposit, with an additional £34,000 due within 10 days to reserve their Roadster. Despite this, the actual UK price, and pricing for other international markets, remains unconfirmed by Tesla.
Tesla Roadster Specification: Performance and SpaceX Package
Tesla has made bold claims regarding the Roadster’s performance capabilities. They state a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of just 1.9 seconds, reaching 100 mph in 4.2 seconds. The tri-motor, all-wheel-drive system is projected to complete a quarter-mile in a mere 8.8 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 250 mph.
The claimed range is equally ambitious at 620 miles, significantly surpassing even the most long-range electric vehicles currently available. The Roadster is designed as a 2+2, featuring two standard front seats and two smaller rear seats.
Adding to the Roadster’s futuristic appeal, Musk introduced the concept of a “SpaceX package” in a June 2018 tweet. This package would integrate technology from his space exploration company, SpaceX, incorporating “10 small rocket cold air thrusters arranged seamlessly around the car.”
Musk even hinted at the possibility of flight, suggesting these thrusters could “dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking and cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly….” While the Tesla x SpaceX tech integration has been discussed for years, concrete evidence of thrusters enhancing the Roadster’s performance remains absent. Musk has previously suggested this technology could reduce the 0-60 mph time to under one second, with a thruster deploying from behind the rear license plate.
However, Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti and Rimac, has expressed skepticism about the sub-one-second acceleration claim, stating in a 2024 Facebook post that while achievable with thrusters, the compressed air would deplete quickly, leaving the car burdened by the weight of the thruster system. Tesla currently lists the Roadster’s wheel torque at 10,000 Nm, without mentioning the SpaceX package on their official specifications or pre-order pages.
Latest Rumors and Future Outlook for the Tesla Roadster Release
Aside from the recurring delays and performance promises, 2024 saw minimal news and rumors surrounding the Tesla Roadster. In February 2024, Musk tweeted about “radically increased design goals,” asserting, “There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.” He later mentioned a production design reveal by the end of 2024 and aimed for shipping in 2025.
In a March 2024 Don Lemon podcast interview, Musk teased that the Roadster would combine SpaceX and Tesla technology to create something “not really even a car, something that’s never existed before,” evoking “totally Jetsons vibes,” referencing the cartoon with flying cars.
Despite these exciting pronouncements, the continuous delays have left many wondering about the actual Tesla Roadster release date. With the current unofficial target set for 2026, potential buyers and automotive enthusiasts will need to remain patient and await further updates on this ambitious, and continually postponed, electric hypercar project.
