Tesla isn’t done with the Roadster. Debuted for the first time in 2017, the second generation of the electric sports car has been awaited for nearly a decade. While the project seemed regularly pushed back, the company has finally confirmed its return. The production-ready model is set to be unveiled on October 1, with new details on its performance and its availability.
The upcoming Roadster remains one of Tesla’s most anticipated vehicles. After all, the maker set the bar incredibly high during the concept reveal. At the time, Elon Musk touted a 0-to-60 mph sprint in under two seconds, a top speed above 250 mph, and more than 620 miles of range.
Since then, the years have passed and criticisms have flared, particularly around some of the more ambitious specs—perhaps too lofty for some. No high-volume electric model has yet managed to reach the 1,000-kilometer (about 620 miles) range Tesla promised in 2017. And a supercar delivering over 1,000 horsepower doesn’t look like the most likely vehicle to break that ceiling.
A design that could diverge from the 2017 concept
Tesla has just released a new teaser of the Roadster ahead of an event focused on the Semi. The American manufacturer had already shown the sports car prototype at the Semi’s 2017 unveiling. A fitting nod given that the Semi is also facing a notably long rollout: its commercial debut, initially slated for 2019, did not truly begin until 2026. Tesla has become accustomed to multiple delays.
The short video offers a glimpse of the Roadster’s light signature. It seems to borrow cues from the latest Tesla models, with a light strip running across part of the front fascia. The design might lean more toward the Cybertruck or the Cybercab than toward the prototype shown nearly nine years ago. In nine years, a lot has changed, and the styling may now strike some as dated.
Another interesting detail: SpaceX is listed alongside Tesla. It references one of the most remarkable technologies promised for the Roadster. Elon Musk had indeed mentioned an optional package using cold-gas thrusters to further boost acceleration and certain dynamic capabilities of the car.
Reservations for the model have recently been reopened, with a $50,000 deposit. Tesla is expected to use the October 1 reveal to unveil the final specs, but also to provide details on price and the production timetable. Yet with Tesla Roadster’s history of delays, it’s wise to hold off on a reservation and part with $50,000. Some view this as a cash-raising move for Tesla, a low-effort way to bring in funds.
A giant active wing for the electric sports car?
The Roadster could also hold a few aerodynamic surprises. A recent patent filing by Tesla shows a sports car equipped with an active rear wing. It may not necessarily be standard equipment on the production model, but the drawings give a first sense of the solutions the company has studied.
This component could generate up to 700 kilograms of downforce when deployed. It would remain seamlessly integrated into the body when the car is on the road, rising as needed. Tesla notes in the patent that deployment could take under three seconds, while its angle could be adjusted in under a quarter of a second.
The car could also automatically adjust the wing’s position based on several parameters, including speed, acceleration, braking, or steering angle. Data from the vehicle’s sensors and GPS could also be used. An active wing appears essential to boost downforce during spirited driving while edging closer to the promised 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) of range.
October 1 will thus finally reveal what Tesla has actually kept from the 2017 project. After so many delays, the Roadster must primarily turn the numerous promises accumulated over the years into reality and prove that Tesla can deliver without disappointing its customers.
