Key highlights:
- Tesla will reveal the second-generation Roadster in Australia on October 2
- New teaser shows a full-width rear LED light bar unlike the prototype
- Musk teased unique thrusters; said Roadster is brand’s last manually driven car
After almost nine years of waiting, Tesla has finally confirmed when it will reveal its second-generation Roadster electric supercar, which follows the original, first-generation Lotus-based sports car that was sold between 2008 and 2012.
The countdown on the teaser portal shows the reveal will take place on October 1 in the US, which means October 2 in Australia at 10:30 am AEST.
The website shows an image of the Roadster’s rear end, with the car appearing to float in space, and Tesla also posted the announcement on its X account with the caption: “go for launch”.
Tesla first revealed the Roadster in 2017
Technically, Tesla first revealed the second-generation Roadster as a prototype in November 2017, which means the upcoming reveal comes almost nine years after the original prototype appeared.
The latest teaser also suggests Tesla has made significant aesthetic changes since then, as the new image shows a full-width LED light bar across the rear, which differs from the Roadster prototype shown in 2017.
Tesla has never revealed how many Roadster reservations it accepted and the company also removed Roadster pricing from its website in December 2021.
A year later, Musk said customers would receive the Roadster in 2023.
Responding to a customer on X at the time, he blamed the delays on supply-chain shortages and said the new Roadster should ship in 2023 if 2022 avoided major problems.
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The original Roadster promised huge performance
When Tesla first revealed the Roadster, CEO Elon Musk outlined some ambitious performance targets.
Tesla said the Roadster would accelerate from 0- 60 mph (96km/h) in 1.9 seconds, reach a top speed of 402km/h, and travel 998km on a charge.
| Specification | 2017 Tesla Roadster claims |
| 0-96km/h | 1.9 seconds |
| Top speed | 402km/h |
| Claimed range | 998km |
Tesla initially confirmed a US$200,000 starting price and accepted US$50,000 reservations; a special Founders Series model carried a US$250,000 price tag.
Is Tesla teasing a flying Roadster?
The first image of the new Roadster has also reignited speculation about one of Elon Musk’s most ambitious claims for the car.
The teaser could hint at cold-gas “thrusters” that might improve acceleration and potentially allow the Roadster to become a flying car.
That sounds far-fetched, but Musk has repeatedly discussed his desire to give the Roadster flying capability. Some outlets have even reported that SpaceX has developed thruster units for the Roadster.
A special-edition Roadster that could briefly jump off the ground could also be in development.
Tesla has not confirmed any of these details in the latest announcement.
Could this be Tesla’s last manual car?
During an earnings call in April, Musk said the new Roadster could become Tesla’s last manually driven nameplate.
That comment takes on added significance after Tesla launched its Cybercab in the US – autonomous two-seater without a steering wheel currently performing taxi duties in Austin, Texas.
Musk said Tesla’s long-term lineup could consist of autonomous vehicles in different sizes.
“In fact, long term, the only manually driven car will be the new Tesla Roadster.”
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