Roadster
Tesla's all-electric sports car, focused on extreme acceleration performance and innovative technology. The concept car was first unveiled in 2017, and production has been repeatedly delayed. An optional SpaceX cold gas thruster package is offered.
Core Facts
When the next-generation Tesla Roadster was unveiled in 2017, it claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration of under 2 seconds, a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, and a top speed of over 400 km/h.
The Tesla second-generation Roadster first debuted in November 2017, when Musk promised deliveries would begin in 2020.
Timeline (last 90 days)
Tesla's new-generation Roadster launch event did not announce a production timeline, but it demonstrated stunts in which the vehicle climbed a wall, stood on end, jumped, and flew over a row of Tesla models.
The new Roadster's range promise has shrunk from 600 miles to about 300 miles, with almost no explanation.
The design of that 2017 Roadster has been scrapped, and the prototype that was built will not enter production.
The second-generation Roadster unveiled in 2017 promised zero-to-100 km/h in under one second and 600 miles of range, with delivery originally scheduled for 2020.
Many users paid large deposits to reserve the Roadster, and with the vehicle long undelivered, that money effectively constitutes an interest-free loan to the company.
The Roadster version for ordinary consumers will have no thrusters or fan, and the official line is a zero-to-100 km/h acceleration of under two seconds.
The underside of the demonstration car is almost empty, and the entire battery pack appears to have been removed, so its weight distribution and propulsion efficiency do not represent the production form.
Tesla's flying sports car demonstration sparked heated discussion on social media, but investors' enthusiasm did not carry over into interpretations of its financial results.
Tesla's Roadster flight demonstration is a proof of concept in nature, and there remain multiple obstacles in technology, regulation and commercialization before it becomes a truly road-legal product, so it cannot contribute revenue in the short term.
Tesla has not yet officially responded to the Roadster images posted by the Twitter user.
40 more timeline events
All Facts (20)
When the next-generation Tesla Roadster was unveiled in 2017, it claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration of under 2 seconds, a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, and a top speed of over 400 km/h.
80%VerifiedThe Tesla second-generation Roadster first debuted in November 2017, when Musk promised deliveries would begin in 2020.
65%UnverifiedThe new Roadster's range promise has shrunk from 600 miles to about 300 miles, with almost no explanation.
50%UnverifiedThe design of that 2017 Roadster has been scrapped, and the prototype that was built will not enter production.
50%UnverifiedThe second-generation Roadster unveiled in 2017 promised zero-to-100 km/h in under one second and 600 miles of range, with delivery originally scheduled for 2020.
50%UnverifiedMany users paid large deposits to reserve the Roadster, and with the vehicle long undelivered, that money effectively constitutes an interest-free loan to the company.
50%UnverifiedThe Roadster version for ordinary consumers will have no thrusters or fan, and the official line is a zero-to-100 km/h acceleration of under two seconds.
50%UnverifiedThe underside of the demonstration car is almost empty, and the entire battery pack appears to have been removed, so its weight distribution and propulsion efficiency do not represent the production form.
50%UnverifiedTesla's Roadster flight demonstration is a proof of concept in nature, and there remain multiple obstacles in technology, regulation and commercialization before it becomes a truly road-legal product, so it cannot contribute revenue in the short term.
50%UnverifiedThe Tesla Roadster concept car claimed a range of 1,000 kilometers (NEDC standard).
50%UnverifiedTesla claimed the Roadster uses a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system.
50%UnverifiedThe Tesla Roadster concept car was unveiled in 2017.
50%UnverifiedTesla has not yet officially responded to the Roadster images posted by the Twitter user.
50%UnverifiedThe Tesla Roadster concept car claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration of just 1.9 seconds.
50%UnverifiedWhen it was unveiled in 2017, the Roadster's claimed 1.9-second 0-100 km/h figure set a new acceleration record for production cars.
50%UnverifiedThe Tesla Roadster is first and foremost an electric sports car, and flight capability belongs only to the top-tier Rocket version.
50%UnverifiedTesla showcased three Roadster configurations: Performance, Thrust and Rocket.
50%UnverifiedAccording to TechCrunch, all three models are rated at 300 miles (about 483 km) of range and a top speed of over 230 mph (about 370 km/h).
50%UnverifiedThere is no evidence that the Tesla Roadster has obtained an aircraft airworthiness certificate, airspace access or authorization to operate as an air taxi.
50%UnverifiedMusk has said that "safety is not the primary goal," and stated bluntly on a podcast that "if safety is your primary goal, don't buy the Roadster."
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