Tesla has announced the official presentation date for its long-awaited second-generation production Roadster hypercar. The automaker posted a teaser on social media featuring the space-themed slogan “Go for launch” and the date October 1, 2026, while CEO Elon Musk personally confirmed that a private event will take place.
Nine Years in Development and a Redesigned Concept
The story of the second-generation Roadster has become one of the most drawn-out projects in the brand’s history. Musk revealed the first driving prototype on stage back on November 16, 2017, promising customer deliveries in 2020. Since then, the timeline has been repeatedly pushed back. The previous attempt was scheduled for April 1, 2026, though the company head joked at the time that choosing April Fools’ Day gave him an excuse to call the delay a prank.
Over the past nine years, the vehicle has undergone a fundamental redesign. According to Reuters, engineers redesigned the body structure and battery compartment, meaning the production vehicle will differ noticeably from the 2017 show car.
Tesla’s official website still lists the original specs: 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 1.9 seconds, a top speed over 400 km/h, and a range of around 1,000 km. However, the manufacturer will reveal the new platform’s actual performance metrics only during the October showcase.
SpaceX Rocket Thrusters and Realistic Production Timeline
The main point of interest remains the optional SpaceX Package. Musk has repeatedly stated that the flagship trim will feature a system of cold gas thrusters and tanks. According to the developers’ estimates, reactive thrust will allow the hypercar to accelerate to 100 km/h in less than one second and briefly lift off the road surface.
Potential buyers who placed $50,000 deposits nine years ago will have to wait longer for deliveries to begin. As TechCrunch notes, company leadership warned during investor meetings that 12 to 18 months will pass between the public reveal of the production build and the start of assembly line production.
Consequently, physical assembly of production vehicles will not start until late 2027 at the earliest, with mass deliveries potentially shifting to 2028. The upcoming October 1 show aims to prove that the project is ready to challenge the latest electric hypercars from China and Europe.
