Tesla sets October 1 reveal for long-delayed Roadster
Tesla announced via X that it will unveil the second-generation Roadster on October 1. The car was first announced in 2017 and has been delayed multiple times. The reveal may include SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters.
The Roadster’s October 1 reveal follows a reported scrapping of the original 2017 design, with Tesla now expected to show a completely new version. The company’s X post included imagery suggesting the optional SpaceX cold gas thrusters, which Musk has said could give the car brief “flight” capabilities. Production is still slated to begin 12 to 18 months after the unveiling, meaning deliveries would likely slip into 2028. The announcement also arrives after a public dispute with OpenAI’s Sam Altman over a $50,000 reservation fee, which Musk claims was refunded.
Tesla’s repeated delays have made the Roadster a symbol of overpromising in the EV sector, yet the company continues to generate hype with minimal technical details. The new design reportedly abandons the earlier prototype entirely, raising questions about whether the final product will match the performance claims—including a 0–60 mph time under two seconds—originally made in 2017. The reveal will also test whether Musk can balance attention between Tesla’s core models and this niche halo car.
The Roadster’s long-delayed reveal could reshape consumer expectations for high-performance EVs, but its impact may be limited to a wealthy niche. If the cold gas thrusters work as hinted, they might spark regulatory debates about “flying” cars and safety standards. More broadly, the event could influence Tesla’s brand perception—either restoring confidence in its innovation pipeline or reinforcing skepticism about its timelines. Competitors may watch closely, but mass-market effects will depend on whether the Roadster’s technology trickles down to more affordable models.