Full Breakdown
Tesla Sets October 1 Date for Long-Awaited Second-Generation Roadster Reveal
By Drooid · · How we work
Reveal Announcement
Tesla posted a graphic on X displaying “10.01,” indicating that the company will unveil its second-generation Roadster on October 1. The post linked to the Roadster page on Tesla.com, confirming the date as the official reveal for the sports car that has been teased for years.
History and Delays
The Roadster was first introduced on November 16, 2017 at the Tesla Semi event, when CEO Elon Musk promised production to begin in 2020. Since then, the launch timeline has slipped repeatedly—to 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2024—each delay announced during shareholder updates and accompanied by revised performance claims. Tesla has attributed the postponements to its focus on AI, robotics, and autonomy, which executives say are essential to the company’s future growth.
Technical Promises and Variants
Motortrend noted the original 2017 specifications: 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 250 mph, a 200-kWh battery delivering roughly 620 miles of range, seating for four, and pricing at $200,000 (or $250,000 for the “Founders Series”). Recent teasers suggest optional cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX could enable limited “flight” capability, a concept first mentioned by Musk in 2018 and reiterated in 2020 and 2024. InsideEVs reported that The Information expects two versions—a limited “flying” model and a conventional road-legal version—with the flying demo potentially costing several hundred thousand dollars, possibly over a million.
Official Statements & Responses
Musk has indicated that even after the October 1 reveal, production will not start for another 12 to 18 months. InsideEVs cited VP of Engineering Lars Moravy describing the Roadster as the “last, best driver’s car” and the company’s “swan song” before autonomous vehicles become mainstream.