Remember the Tesla Roadster? No, not the original car loosely based on a Lotus Elise. We’re referring to the second-generation model that was unveiled all the way back in November 2017. Fast-forward almost eight years, and not a single vehicle has been delivered. Despite multiple delays, the electric sports car project hasn’t been abandoned. There’s now an update from Tesla, and predictably, it’s all hype.
At the X Takeover event held last weekend in California, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering shared some insight into the development of the “new” Roadster. Lars Moravy explained that, with the company’s ongoing push toward full autonomy, Tesla aims for the Roadster 2.0 to be the “last best driver’s car” before computers take over. He envisions a future where “driving cars turns into a luxury,” and until then, this sporty EV is meant to serve as not necessarily a “swan song” for manually controlled vehicles but the best of the breed.
“We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver’s car. We’ve been making it better and better, and it’s even a little bit more than a car. We showed Elon some cool demos last week and tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.”
One of the latest promises made by Tesla’s head honcho on his X platform is of the “most epic demo ever by end of year.” Putting two and two together, it likely relates to the new Roadster, but details remain murky. Moravy echoed Elon’s statement, calling it a “super cool demo” and “mind-blowing,” without offering further specifics.
The four-seat EV, featuring a removable glass roof, is claimed to have a 620-mile range, all-wheel drive, and a top speed exceeding 250 mph. Tesla claims the standard Roadster will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 4.2 seconds, completing the quarter mile in 8.8 seconds. But acceleration, according to a Musk post last year, is “the least interesting part.”
Coming from a company that once claimed the Roadster could fly, we remain cautious. After all, this is just the latest chapter in a years-long saga of praising a car you still can’t buy. We remember Musk saying, “there will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.” He once claimed a SpaceX option would enable the Roadster to hit 60 mph from a standstill in under a second using “10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around the car.”
Whatever the case, Moravy insists the “Roadster is definitely in development,” calling it a “super cool product.” We checked Tesla’s website, and you can still order one by putting down a fully refundable $5,000 deposit today. Within the next 10 days, you’ll have to make another $45,000 payment to secure a build slot. Assuming pricing hasn’t changed, the Roadster will cost between $200,000 and $250,000, depending on the specifications.
Even if the Roadster somehow lives up to Tesla’s lofty promises, there’s still a problem: supercar buyers aren’t exactly flocking to EVs. Most prefer something with a combustion engine, ideally, a mid-mounted one. Even Rimac founder Mate Rimac has admitted that the Nevera isn’t selling well, as high-end buyers crave a more analog experience.
Sure, Tesla isn’t competing with Rimac, nor is it aiming at brands like Koenigsegg or Pagani that have stayed away from EVs. But in the performance car world, regardless of price, it’s safer to bet on a gas engine. The new Roadster will likely appeal mainly to wealthy Tesla loyalists, as the lack of an engine note and visceral feedback will limit its broader appeal, especially at this price point.
Timing is another issue. Some would argue that there are bigger fish to fry than chasing a niche halo car. Recent figures indicate that sales are slipping, and the next “affordable” model is basically a stripped-down Model Y. This “decontented” crossover might not be enough to move the needle and help Tesla recover.
Investing in a Model 2 or a similar product could be a smarter move than pursuing a low-volume product like the Roadster. While it may be quietly under development, the continued silence around a true entry-level Tesla suggests it’s not coming anytime soon.
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Source:
Tesla Owners Silicon Valley / YouTube
