Tesla’s second-gen Roadster is finally getting a debut nearly a decade later
Tesla has confirmed that its long-delayed second-generation Roadster will finally be unveiled on 10 October, according to a post from the company's official account on X. The reveal has been repeatedly pushed back since the original prototype was first shown off in 2017, and the announcement matters because it marks the first firm date Tesla has committed to for a car that has become a symbol of its habit of missing its own deadlines.
Tesla's website features a countdown to the event alongside a teaser image that some believe hints at cold-gas thrusters, fuelling speculation that the Roadster could include a flying capability first reported by The Information in August. At its 2017 unveiling, Tesla claimed the car would accelerate from 0 to 60mph in under two seconds, reach speeds above 250mph and offer more than 600 miles of range, with prices starting at $200,000 (and $250,000 for a Founder's Edition). Some early depositors who put down $50,000 reservations, including OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and YouTuber Marques Brownlee, have since cancelled their orders.
- Tesla sets 10 October reveal date for its second-gen Roadster
- Teaser hints at possible flying capability via cold-gas thrusters
- Some early depositors, including Sam Altman, have already cancelled orders
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Tesla first showed off a prototype of this new Roadster back in 2017, promising eye-catching performance figures and a starting price of $200,000. Since then, the car's launch has been delayed repeatedly, turning it into a well-known example of Tesla setting targets it doesn't meet.
The car matters partly because of who has been waiting for it. High-profile figures, including OpenAI boss Sam Altman and tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, put down large deposits to reserve one, though some have since withdrawn their orders after years without a finished product.
More recently, speculation has grown that the Roadster could include unusual features beyond typical electric-car performance, adding extra interest to its eventual unveiling after such a long wait.