Tesla Roadster makes production-ready debut after nine years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 15:20 · Archive

Tesla is unveiling its next-generation Roadster in Waco, Texas, after nearly a decade of delays since the initial announcement.

Tesla is unveiling its next-generation Roadster at an event in Waco, Texas on 15 October, after nearly a decade of delays. The company first announced the updated electric sports car in 2017, saying it would be ready in 2020. It has since missed multiple deadlines.

Elon Musk has made expansive claims about the vehicle's capabilities. He says the Roadster will accelerate from 0–60mph in less than two seconds, reach top speeds over 250mph, and come with a 620-mile range. He has also suggested it will include an optional 'SpaceX package' featuring cold-gas thrusters that could enable it to 'fly a little.'

The repeated delays have earned the Roadster a reputation as vaporware. Several high-profile reservation holders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and YouTuber Marques Brownlee, have cancelled their orders, apparently assuming the car would never launch. The reveal comes as the broader EV market faces headwinds, with slowing sales and automakers scaling back their electric vehicle plans in the United States.

How it is being reported

• Tesla Roadster reveal live: Updates from the launch of the next-gen sportscarElon Musk has been saying the demo might be a literal "banger."Engadget · 15 Oct, 15:01
• The Tesla Roadster could have stayed vaporwareFor a car that's supposed to be one of the fastest ever made, the new Tesla Roadster certainly took its sweet-ass time getting here. It's been nearly a decade since Elon Musk made the surprise announcement about plans to build a next-gen Roadster. Now, the Tesla Roadster is finally expected to make its production-ready debut […]The Verge · 14 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Tesla · Elon Musk · Waco, Texas · Sam Altman · Marques Brownlee · OpenAI

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