Tesla, after much silence, has decided to give a morsel of an update on the long-awaited Roadster, the successor to the brand’s original Lotus Elise-based sports car. Originally set for a 2020 release, Tesla says it will host the “most epic demo” showcasing the Roadster before the end of 2025. Musk’s usual hyping aside, it’s the first serious promise in years that the Roadster is still somehow headed for production.
Tesla’s Franz von Holzhausen Provides An Update
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen said this week on the Ride The Lightning podcast that the 2025 demo is still a go. The Roadster will also have additional paint options when and if it launches, and the designer insists that the Roadster’s performance will be jaw-dropping, saying the brand has gotten the car to the “limits of physics.” Tesla, per von Holzhausen, has “really gotten to a point where we are going to be achieving that standard that we set out.” It seems part of the delay was related to mechanical hangups based on this comment alone.
Still, the designer seemed positive about the demo: “I’m excited to showcase the Roadster for a lot of different reasons. The wait will be worth it.”
When Will The Tesla Roadster Come Out?
Tesla
The Roadster, to put it lightly, has been delayed. A lot. I struggle to recall another vehicle that another major automaker has taken deposits on that is five full years behind its promised release date. Predictably, some of Tesla’s customers got fed up and demanded their deposits back. Recently, YouTuber Marques Brownlee went through some hoops to secure his $50,000 deposit back from Tesla. Initially, Tesla sent him the sum less $5k, but later paid up in full.
Other owners are, understandably, similarly displeased. “So Tesla has been sitting with my 50 grand for eight years and hasn’t done anything with it, obviously,” Brownlee said at the time. However, he does appear to be holding on to his second Roadster – the tech giant held two deposits for a Roadster. One thing remains true: buyers effectively gave Tesla an interest-free loan, and one the automaker has shown a bit of resistance in making good on.
Hopefully, for the sake of those still holding out on getting a car in exchange for their hard-earned money, Tesla does, in fact, make good. Credit where it is due, Musk often makes good on his product announcements, even if there are a handful of asterisks.
About the author
Chase Bierenkoven
Senior Editor, Autoblog