The second-generation Tesla Roadster is set to make a significant departure from its 2017 prototype, according to Elon Musk. The CEO has confirmed that the production version of this radical two-seater will be “very different” from what was previously showcased.
This latest iteration of the Roadster has faced yet another delay, pushing its debut further into the future. Originally slated for a release by the end of this year, the car will now likely be unveiled on April Fools’ Day next year. Despite the repeated setbacks, the Roadster 2 is finally expected to make its appearance in 2026, although the exact date remains uncertain.
Elon Musk, during a recent shareholders meeting, mentioned that the company is “tentatively aiming for April 1” as the reveal date for the road-ready Roadster 2. This choice of date, coinciding with April Fools’ Day, does little to inspire confidence among investors and customers alike.
Musk also added that he has “some deniability” because he can claim he was joking if the unveiling doesn’t go as planned. This comment came during the same meeting where his $1 trillion pay package was approved by 75% of the shareholders.
The CEO teased that the upcoming demo will be “the most exciting, whether it works or not, demo ever of any product,” emphasizing that the car will be “very different from what was shown previously.” This suggests that the Roadster 2 will introduce features and technologies that are far beyond what was initially presented.
In 2017, the second-generation Roadster made a surprise appearance during the reveal event for the Semi. At that time, Tesla promised that the sleek, high-performance two-seater would enter production in 2020. However, this has not materialized, and it seems the production timeline will be delayed once again.
Musk stated during yesterday’s shareholders meeting that he believes the second-generation Roadster will go into production 12 to 18 months after the April reveal. If this timeline holds, the Roadster 2 will become one of the most delayed vehicles in history, taking a decade to move from the initial prototype to a production model.
Despite the numerous delays and minimal development updates, Tesla has continued to take $50,000 reservations for the non-existent car since the prototype was first showcased in 2017. Worse still, the company even collected $250,000 from those who ordered the Founders Series model. This version was supposed to include all available options, but Tesla never revealed what those options would be.
Musk hinted that the revamped Roadster would feature “crazier” technology than all James Bond vehicles combined, suggesting the possibility of a flying capability. These promises have not convinced some reservation holders to cancel their pre-orders, with notable figures such as YouTuber Marques Brownlee and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman documenting their decision to do so.
Other developments within Tesla include the announcement that the Cybercab production will begin in April 2026, as stated by Elon Musk. Additionally, Musk has reaffirmed his commitment to the company, stating that he isn’t going anywhere. Meanwhile, reviews of the Tesla Model Y Performance highlight its speed, though questions remain about whether it is enough to keep up with competitors. The impact of the tax credit removal on EV prices has also been a topic of discussion.