The countdown for the next-generation Tesla Roadster is on. Tesla posted to X on Saturday revealing an Oct. 1 launch date. Tesla’s website further teases the Roadster launch with a countdown clock on the Roadster landing page.
A Long Time Coming
The initial design of the Tesla Roadster sold from 2008-2012. The next generation Roadster was revealed in 2017 with an expected release date of 2020. Since then, a number of delays have prevented us from seeing the car. In 2022, Tesla founder Elon Musk cited parts constraints as the reason for the Roadster’s delay. Then in 2024, Musk said most of the engineering was complete and a launch was expected in 2025.
Something Special
Musk has previously described this vehicle as “something special.” According to our previous reporting about the Roadster, the new generation would have a hardtop design with two doors and oversized wheels that “takes the Tesla design language to its sleekest and most aggressive.”
Rocket Science
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the new Roadster is whether it’s rocket powered. In a 2024 CNN interview, Musk claimed the vehicle could go from zero-to-60 mph in under one second using SpaceX technology. In the same interview, Musk teased a car with “rocket-y stuff” and creating something that may not even really be a car or at least be street legal.
So, what can we expect on Oct. 1? The image used on the countdown page vaguely resembles the red prototype Roadster showed previously, with four cylinders of light coming from the vehicle. Could these be the rumored rocket thrusters? Will this car in fact be able to fly? We’ll find out in 16 days, nine hours, 38 minutes and counting.
