Tesla captured attention on Thursday with an intriguing demonstration during its event on October 15, revealing the revamped Roadster. In a spectacular showcase, the vehicle drove up a C-shaped ramp using a suction rig, flipped upside down, and floated back to the ground with the help of rocket boosters. It’s now projected that the new sports car is set for production in 2028, with a reservation fee of $250,000 for the “Thrust” trim which features cold-gas thrusters. Elon Musk stated at the event, “We enter production in 2028. Actually, for real.”
If this feels familiar, that’s understandable—Tesla has previously announced the second-generation Roadster, and they did not shy away from this fact in the latest announcement. Still, many are left wondering if this is yet another false start for the much-anticipated sports car.
The original Roadster was a significant milestone for Tesla, launched in 2008 in limited quantities. It was conceived by one of the company’s founders, Martin Eberhard, before Elon Musk acquired shares from Eberhard and his partner Marc Tarpenning. Musk’s initial interest in the company stemmed from the Roadster concept, leading to his investment in 2004 and his subsequent oversight of its production. The model, built on the chassis of a Lotus Elise, made waves by achieving a remarkable range of 244 miles on a single charge.
The new Roadster was initially unveiled in November 2017, with promises to showcase Tesla’s pinnacle of electric vehicle technology. Musk described it as a “hardcore smackdown to gasoline vehicles,” and it was initially set for a 2020 release, revealed alongside the Tesla Semi truck, which also faced production delays. In February 2018, Musk hinted at a “SpaceX” package featuring approximately ten small rocket thrusters positioned around the car to enhance acceleration, top speed, braking, and cornering capabilities.
But soon after, delays started to pile up. Tesla continued to accept reservations ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, yet the anticipated 2020 production timeline came and went. During a July 2020 earnings call, Musk forecasted production would start within 12 to 18 months. While the global health crisis impacted timelines, Musk had also expressed a preference for completing the Cybertruck first, a project that faced its own assortment of delays.
Over a year later, the Roadster was still absent, leading Musk to postpone it to 2022, and later, the estimate slumped to 2023 by the end of the year. Further delays were then announced for 2023 and 2024.
The last few years have been tumultuous for Musk and Tesla. Musk transitioned from an environmentally-conscious public figure to a controversial political influencer, culminating in tumultuous leadership in the federal government. By July 2025, a report warned that government cuts could result in millions of deaths by the year 2030. Although Musk has contested these figures, the backlash adversely affected Tesla, inciting global protests against the brand. With Musk stepping down from his government role in May 2025 amidst personal crises, the Roadster was likely not at the forefront of his agenda.
When Tesla reaffirmed its commitment to the Roadster in April, skepticism had risen, and many had lost faith in the car’s eventual release. Tesla’s delays had cemented it as a subject of cultural jokes, with even prominent figures like YouTuber Marques Brownlee, who previously interviewed Musk, expressing concerns over his long-standing $50,000 reservation. Notably, Sam Altman, a former business partner of Musk turned rival, also aired frustrations about his own Roadster reservation.
Ultimately, a launch event without a definite production date isn’t particularly convincing. Following the impressive showcase in October, Musk and Tesla will have to persuade potential buyers that placing a deposit on the Roadster is a worthwhile investment rather than a financial blunder.
