Tesla sets October 1 reveal for long-delayed Roadster
Tesla has teased a reveal event for its next-generation Roadster electric hypercar for October 1, 2026, nine years after the vehicle was first shown as a
Tesla has scheduled a reveal for its next-generation Roadster electric hypercar for October 1. The company posted a teaser image on Friday with the caption "Go for launch" and the date "10.01."
According to the source, Electrek, a countdown clock on Tesla's Roadster webpage is ticking down to the same date. The company has not specified a location for the event or confirmed if it will be streamed live.
The teased demonstration
The teaser image shows a red Roadster bathed in vertical lighting, evoking a rocket launch pad. This aligns with long-standing reports that the vehicle will feature SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters. Tesla has hinted at a "flying" demonstration for the car since 2018.
Recent the planned demo has been scaled back. It is now described as closer to a hover. The Information reported in August that the demonstration would involve the car lifting off with nobody inside, operated remotely. Spectators would be kept hundreds of yards away due to the thrusters' noise, which is reportedly loud enough to damage hearing.
A history of delays
The new Tesla Roadster was first unveiled as a prototype in November 2017. Initial specifications and pricing promised a groundbreaking vehicle.
| Feature | Specification (as of 2017 reveal) |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $200,000 |
| Founders Series Price | $250,000 |
| Range | 620 miles |
| 0-60 mph Time | Under 2 seconds |
| Top Speed | Over 250 mph |
Production was originally promised for 2020. That deadline was missed. Tesla has subsequently shifted the projected production timeline at least eight times, according to the source. Targets moved to 2022, 2023, 2024, and "2025-2026." At a shareholder meeting in November 2025, CEO Elon Musk said production would not start until "2027 or 2028."
Customers who placed reservations starting at $50,000 in 2017 are still waiting. Some high-profile figures, like Marques Brownlee and Sam Altman, have said they canceled their reservations.
The vehicle's uncertain future
The car shown on October 1 is not expected to be a production-ready, street-legal vehicle. Tesla has reportedly discussed selling a limited number of units through an exclusive, Ferrari-style track program, likely costing hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Electrek's analysis suggests the Roadster program has evolved into a promotional tool. The source states, "the Roadster stopped being a car program a while ago. It's a commercial for the Tesla-SpaceX relationship." The timing of the reveal is seen as part of a pattern to generate excitement ahead of an expected shareholder vote on a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX.
The publication notes that Tesla spent September 2026 re-launching several previously announced products, including the Roadster, the Semi, and a robotaxi. The final verdict on the Roadster will depend on its eventual availability to customers in a practical, road-legal form.
