Tesla Roadster: The next-generation Tesla Roadster is one of the most anticipated sports cars ever made. With a claimed 0–60 mph time under 1.9 seconds, a 620-mile range, and a base price of $200,000, it promises to be the fastest production car on the planet. Here’s everything confirmed and rumored about the new Tesla Roadster.
Contents
Overview & History
Tesla first unveiled the second-generation Roadster back in November 2017, stunning the automotive world with performance figures that seemed physically impossible at the time. Years of delays later, the car has become one of the most talked-about unreleased vehicles in automotive history.
The original Tesla Roadster — built on a Lotus Elise platform — launched in 2008 and became the car that put Tesla on the map. The new Roadster is a completely different beast: a purpose-built, four-seat sports car designed to demolish every performance benchmark in the automotive industry.
Full Specs & Performance
The new Tesla Roadster is built around a tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup, delivering an obscene amount of torque from a standstill. Tesla has claimed it will be the quickest production car ever made — a bold claim that no current production vehicle comes close to matching.
| Specification | Tesla Roadster |
|---|---|
| 0–60 mph | Under 1.9 seconds (base) / Under 1.1 sec with SpaceX package |
| 0–100 mph | 4.2 seconds |
| Quarter Mile | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | Over 250 mph |
| Range | 620 miles (EPA estimate) |
| Seating | 4 seats (2+2) |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive (Tri-Motor) |
| Removable Roof | Yes (glass roof panels, convertible) |
To put the sub-2-second 0–60 figure in context: a Ferrari SF90 Stradale — a hybrid hypercar — does it in around 2.5 seconds. A Bugatti Chiron Super Sport manages roughly 2.3 seconds. The Roadster’s claimed time would make it comfortably the quickest production car in history.
Price & Reservation Details
The Tesla Roadster has a base price of $200,000, with a Founders Series edition priced at $250,000. The Founders Series requires full payment upfront and will be the first units produced.
| Edition | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|
| Base Roadster | $200,000 | $50,000 |
| Founders Series | $250,000 | $250,000 (full payment) |
Reservations can be made directly on the Tesla Roadster page. Given production constraints, delivery timelines for new reservations are expected to extend well into 2027 and beyond.
The SpaceX Package: What Is It?
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping Roadster option is the SpaceX Package — a set of cold-air thrusters built into the car, inspired by SpaceX rocket technology. Tesla claims this package will push the 0–60 time below 1.1 seconds and potentially enable the car to achieve brief moments of flight.
While this sounds like science fiction, Tesla engineers have been working on integrating compressed air thrusters where a conventional rear seat would sit. The exact production form of this package has not been finalized, and pricing has not been confirmed separately from the base vehicle. This will make the Roadster unlike any road-legal car that has ever existed.
Release Date: The Long Wait
The Roadster has been delayed multiple times since its 2017 reveal. Tesla has cited production priorities — Model Y ramp, Cybertruck, Semi — as reasons for the repeated pushbacks. As of mid-2026, the most credible reports suggest the Roadster will enter production in late 2026 or early 2027.
The best way to track delivery timelines is through Tesla’s official website and quarterly earnings calls, where Elon Musk occasionally provides production updates.
Tesla Roadster vs Rivals
| Car | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Roadster | <1.9 sec | 250+ mph | $200,000 |
| Rimac Nevera | 1.97 sec | 258 mph | ~$2.4M |
| Bugatti Chiron SS | 2.3 sec | 273 mph | ~$3.9M |
| Ferrari SF90 | 2.5 sec | 211 mph | ~$625,000 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo GT | 2.2 sec | 190 mph | ~$230,000 |
The Roadster’s price-to-performance ratio is extraordinary. For $200,000, nothing else on this list comes close to matching its claimed performance — and most cost five to twenty times more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tesla Roadster available to buy right now?
Not yet. The Roadster is still in the pre-production phase. You can place a reservation on Tesla’s website, but delivery timelines for new orders extend well beyond 2026.
What is the fastest 0–60 time for the Tesla Roadster?
Tesla claims under 1.9 seconds in standard form, and potentially under 1.1 seconds with the optional SpaceX Package thrusters.
How many miles can the Tesla Roadster go on one charge?
Tesla has claimed an estimated range of 620 miles — which would make it the longest-range electric vehicle ever produced.
How many seats does the Tesla Roadster have?
The Roadster is a 2+2 configuration with four seats, though rear passenger space is limited, as is typical for sports cars in this class.
Related Articles:
Tesla Phone |
Tesla Model Y Latest Updates |
