The Tesla Roadster, often referred to as the Roadster 2 or second-generation Roadster, represents Elon Musk’s vision for the ultimate electric sports car—one that pushes the boundaries of speed, range, and innovation while honoring the original 2008 Roadster that kickstarted Tesla’s dominance in the EV market. Announced in November 2017 at the Tesla Semi unveiling event, the Roadster 2 was positioned as a halo vehicle: a four-seater supercar capable of redefining performance benchmarks. Unlike its predecessor, which was a converted Lotus Elise chassis with a simple battery pack, the Roadster 2 is a ground-up Tesla design, incorporating cutting-edge aerodynamics, tri-motor all-wheel drive, and even optional SpaceX-inspired cold-gas thrusters for short “hops” or enhanced acceleration.
Over the years, the project has faced repeated delays due to Tesla’s focus on scaling production for the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and Optimus robot. As of November 2025, the Roadster remains in prototype development, with recent announcements indicating a full production reveal pushed to April 1, 2026—coinciding with Tesla’s shareholder meeting, though Musk has emphasized it’s “no joke.” Production is now slated for 2027, following a demo planned for late 2025 that was also delayed. Despite the setbacks, Tesla’s design chief Franz von Holzhausen confirmed in October 2025 that the team is “ramping up work” and aiming to “test the limits of physics” with the final design. In a recent interview, Musk teased that the demo will be “unforgettable,” potentially featuring flight-like capabilities via thrusters, a sub-1-second 0-60 mph sprint, and a 620-mile range. He reiterated in September 2025 that the Roadster is “something special beyond a car.”
Below, I’ll break down the known details on design, performance, technology, pricing, and timeline, drawing from official Tesla sources, Musk’s updates, and verified reports. Note that some specs are based on prototypes and subject to change, as Tesla continues iterating—most recently in February 2024, when Musk announced “radically increased design goals,” calling it “not even a car” in the traditional sense.
Design and Exterior
The Roadster 2 adopts Tesla’s minimalist, futuristic aesthetic with a low-slung, two-door coupe body that’s longer and wider than the original (188 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, 44.6 inches tall). It features scissor doors that swing upward for dramatic entry, a removable glass roof panel for open-air driving, and a sleek carbon-fiber body optimized for aerodynamics (drag coefficient of 0.20 Cd, one of the lowest for any production car). The design includes active aero elements like a deployable rear wing for high-speed stability and underbody diffusers to channel airflow.
Unlike the original’s spartan Lotus-inspired look, the Roadster 2 adds two small rear seats, making it a 2+2 configuration suitable for occasional passengers (though legroom is tight, akin to a Porsche 911). The exterior draws from the Cybertruck’s angular edges but softens them for road legality, with 19-inch front and 21-inch rear magnesium wheels wrapped in custom Michelin Pilot Sport tires. A signature feature is the optional “rocket mode” with SpaceX cold-gas thrusters integrated into the chassis for brief boosts or even short flights—Musk joked in June 2024 that “the new Tesla Roadster can fly,” though it’s more for drag-strip dominance than true aviation.
Official Photos:
- Tesla Roadster Prototype Side Profile: Shows the sleek, low-slung body with scissor doors open, highlighting the aerodynamic curves and removable roof. (From Tesla’s official site)
- Front Three-Quarter View: Captures the slim LED headlights and aggressive front fascia during a 2017 unveiling test. Download high-res from Tesla’s media gallery.
- Rear Aero Wing Deployed: Demonstrates the active rear spoiler in action, emphasizing downforce for cornering at over 250 mph.
- Interior Cockpit: A minimalist dashboard with a large central touchscreen, yoke steering, and premium Alcantara upholstery.
For more, visit Tesla’s official gallery: Tesla Media Assets – Roadster.
Performance and Drivetrain
The Roadster 2 is engineered for hypercar territory, powered by a tri-motor setup delivering over 1,000 horsepower (initial claims were 1,900 hp, but recent prototypes tune closer to 1,020 hp for reliability). All-wheel drive ensures instant torque vectoring, with acceleration that borders on absurd: 0-60 mph in under 1 second (with thrusters), 0-100 mph in 4.2 seconds, and a quarter-mile in 8.8 seconds at 155 mph. Top speed exceeds 250 mph, limited only by tire and regulatory constraints.
Braking is handled by carbon-ceramic discs with regen, stopping from 60 mph in under 100 feet. Handling benefits from a double-wishbone suspension with adaptive dampers, low center of gravity (thanks to the underfloor battery), and a curb weight around 4,400 lbs—lighter than the Plaid Model S despite added seats. Musk has compared it favorably to his old McLaren F1, stating in 2018 (and reaffirming in 2024) that it “will exceed all gas sports cars in every way.” In May 2024, he noted it would “obviously be ridiculous” to match the Model S Plaid’s times, positioning it as a step above.
| Performance Metric | Roadster 2 (Prototype) | Comparison (Porsche 911 GT2 RS) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-60 mph | <1.0 sec (with thrusters) | 2.7 sec |
| Quarter-Mile | 8.8 sec @ 155 mph | 10.6 sec @ 132 mph |
| Top Speed | >250 mph | 211 mph |
| Lateral Acceleration | ~1.3g | 1.2g |
Battery, Range, and Charging
At the heart is a 200 kWh structural battery pack—the largest Tesla has produced—integrated into the chassis for rigidity and efficiency. This yields an EPA-estimated 620 miles of range at highway speeds, dwarfing the original Roadster’s 245 miles. Efficiency is aided by a 450-volt architecture and low rolling resistance tires. Charging supports up to 350 kW DC (adding 200 miles in 15 minutes) and includes Tesla’s proprietary 20 kW onboard AC charger.
Interior and Technology
The cabin is a blend of luxury and minimalism: four seats upholstered in vegan leather or optional Alcantara, a 17-inch central touchscreen running Tesla’s latest UI (with Full Self-Driving capability), and a yoke-style steering wheel. Audio comes from a 12-speaker system, and connectivity includes premium wireless charging and over-the-air updates. Rear seats fold flat for cargo (15 cu ft total). Musk has hinted at AI integrations, like the AI5 chip for enhanced autonomy and entertainment. Von Holzhausen described it as the “last best driver’s car” before full autonomy takes over.
Pricing and Availability
Base price is $200,000, with a Founders Series at $250,000 (fully loaded with thrusters). Reservations (non-refundable $50,000 deposit) have exceeded 1,000 units since 2017. Production was initially targeted for 2020, then 2023, and now 2027 at Giga Texas, with an annual output of ~10,000 units. As of October 2024, Musk confirmed production starts in 2025, but November updates shifted timelines.
Videos and Media
- Official 2017 Unveiling Video (Tesla YouTube): The dramatic reveal with acceleration demos and Musk’s bold claims. (2:30 min)
- Recent Teaser: Roadster Thruster Test (Elon Musk X Post, June 2024): Short clip showing prototype “hop” capabilities.
- Fan-Made Render with Official Elements (Tesla China Weibo, Sep 2025): High-quality animation endorsed by Musk as “very well done.” (1:21 min)
- Prototype Walkaround (Car and Driver, 2025): Detailed tour of the latest build, including interior and aero features. (5:45 min)
Sources and Further Reading
- Official Tesla Page: tesla.com/roadster
- Wikipedia Entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(second_generation)
- In-Depth Review: Car and Driver – 2026 Tesla Roadster
- Latest News: Teslarati – Musk’s Huge Detail Drop and Drive Tesla Canada – Delay Announcement
- Historical Context: Original Roadster open-source files at service.tesla.com/roadster.
The Roadster 2 isn’t just a car; it’s Musk’s passion project—a bridge between Tesla’s EV revolution and sci-fi dreams. With delays behind it, 2026 could finally bring this beast to roads (and maybe briefly airborne). Reservations are still open via Tesla’s site—early adopters, don’t miss out.
