Tesla says it will finally unveil the second generation Roadster on October 1
Tesla posted a graphic on X indicating it will unveil the second-generation Roadster on October 1, following years of delays. The image also appears to reference optional cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX, a feature previously suggested for the car.
Why It Matters
The Roadster has been Tesla's high-profile halo vehicle since its 2017 announcement; a formal reveal would mark a major step toward a model long promised but repeatedly postponed. If the thruster feature is confirmed, it would highlight Tesla's continued tie-ups with SpaceX and unconventional vehicle capabilities.
Key Facts
- unveil date hinted: Tesla posted on X showing a '10.01' graphic, indicating an unveiling on October 1.
- post date: The X post was reported on September 12, 2026.
- thruster hint: The graphic appears to reference optional cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX.
- original announcement: Tesla first announced the second-generation Roadster in November 2017.
- design change report: The Information reported the 2017 version was abandoned in favor of a new, unrevealed design.
Tesla signaled on X that it plans to unveil the long-delayed second-generation Roadster on October 1, sharing a graphic marked "10.01." The social post, reported on September 12, 2026, delivered the first clear public hint of a reveal after years of postponements.
The Roadster was originally announced in November 2017 and has been pushed back repeatedly since then. Media reporting indicates the company scrapped the original 2017 design and prepared a new version that it would disclose imminently.
The promotional graphic also appears to reference cold-gas thrusters developed by SpaceX, a feature Tesla has previously discussed as an optional add-on. Those thrusters have been described in promotional material as potentially allowing the Roadster to "fly in some way," though details and practical implications remain unclear.
The Roadster program has drawn public attention beyond product delays, including a social-media dispute last year between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over a $50,000 reservation fee and whether Altman received a refund. Musk has also cautioned that even after a formal reveal, production would likely begin 12 to 18 months later, meaning buyers could still face a significant wait after the unveiling.
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