Tesla Roadster design almost ready: Elon Musk thanks “long-suffering” deposit holders

October 29, 2024 by

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The Tesla Roadster has been in the pipeline for years now, and Elon Musk has shared a glimmer of hope for deposit holders that this bonkers sports car may not be too far off. 

  • New Tesla Roadster on sale next year…hopefully
  • Roadster is on the back burner as Tesla focuses on sustainable transport
  • First deliveries slated for 2025
  • Buyers can still put down £38,000 deposit
  • Sub 1.0-second 0-60mph time promised
  • Final price not yet confirmed

It’s been seven years now since the Tesla Roadster concept was first revealed, and customers who stumped up the £38,000 deposit to secure one may be wondering when they’ll be finally getting their cars.

Elon Musk briefly touched on the subject during Tesla’s Q3 earnings call, in which he thanked all the “long-suffering” deposit holders for their patience and provided an update on the car’s progress.

New Tesla Roadster: where is it?

Back in 2017 when the Tesla Roadster concept was first revealed, it was meant to go on sale in 2020. It’s been pushed back a few times since then, however Musk took to X earlier this year and hinted that the production car’s design would finally be revealed before the end of 2024, with cars shipping in 2025.

New Tesla Roadster front

Well, the year is quickly drawing to a close and there’s still no sign of this elusive hyper-EV. An investor asked for a progress report during Tesla’s Q3 earnings call, and Musk provided an insight into why it’s taking so long: “I’d just like to thank our long-suffering deposit holders of the Tesla Roadster.

“The reason it hasn’t come out yet is because it is not just the icing on the cake, it’s the cherry on the icing on the cake. Our larger mission is to accelerate the progress towards a sustainable energy future.

“We are working on it, but it has to come behind the things that have a more serious impact on the good of the world.”

The Tesla’s removable roof panel means it can transform into a drop top in seconds.

It seems then that Tesla is focussing most of its efforts on products such as the Cybercab and Powerwall for sustainable energy, but progress is still being made on the Roadster. Musk also said during this call that the final production design is very nearly finished, so there’s still a chance you could see it before the end of the year.

Unlike the new Tesla Cybertruck, you can put your name down for a Roadster in the UK now. All you need is a £4,000 deposit followed by a further £34,000 down payment within 10 days. Quite a chunk of money for a car which doesn’t technically exist yet. Just imagine how sick the people who paid a £185,000 deposit for the limited-edition ‘Founder Series’ model feel…

New Tesla Roadster performance

When it was first revealed, the Tesla Roadster was going to do 0-60mph in under 1.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 250mph thanks to three electric motors. We’ve had the Tesla Model S Plaid since then though with a similar launch time, but this is just the entry-level Roadster. Elon Musk has plans to turn up the wick.

Taking to X once more, he told the world that the Roadster will have a sub 1.0 second 0-60mph time. This is thanks to some technology from SpaceX, namely an optional Rocket Thruster package. That’s right, rockets.

Musk has also claimed that this car will be able to fly “a little”, but this should probably be taken with a pinch of salt. If such a car were to come to fruition, there’s still a chance that it could be cancelled before it makes production. See Tesla Plaid +.

New Tesla Roadster design

Even though the design of the new Tesla Roadster is seven years old now, the design is still looking fresh and modern. That pointy front end has already inspired the updated Tesla Model 3, with the pointy headlights and muscular front haunches making it look suitably sporty.

The sleek silhouette has been sculpted to help the car slip through the air as smoothly as possible, and there’s a subtle lip spoiler at the rear. This may not look like it’ll do much for the downforce, but that massive rear diffuser should help suck the Roadster into the tarmac at speed.

New Tesla Roadster interior

Little is known about the Tesla Roadster’s interior other than that it will have ‘space for four’. Based on the car’s compact size, assume that means space for two adults and two kids. If you’re after a fast electric family four-seater you’ll be much better off with a Tesla Model S…

Inside the Roadster you’ll find Tesla’s trademark white vegan leather (vinyl) seats and huge infotainment screen.

All models come with a removable hardtop roof that can be stored in the boot to make the Tesla feel light and airy on the inside. There’s also a large central screen and a yoke-style steering wheel – just like the one fitted to Plaid versions of the new Model S and Model X.

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