Tesla Roadster Event Liveblog: Tesla’s Second-Gen Sports Car Makes Its Debut
Way back in 2008, Tesla burst on to the scene with the Roadster — an all-electric, two-seater sports car was a design inspired by the Lotus Elise. In 2017, following the successful launches of the Model S and Model X, Tesla began teasing a second-generation Roadster, set to start production in 2020. This timeline didn’t pan out, and thus, nine years later, we have still yet to see anything more than a non-functioning prototype of the Tesla Roadster 2.0. That changes on October 15.
On Tuesday, without any notice, Tesla posted on X to announce a livestream for October 15 at 5:55 p.m. PT / 8:55 p.m. ET to reveal the Roadster. You can watch along live from Tesla’s website, and the expectation is that we’ll finally see a production Tesla Roadster and learn more about the release timing. Hopefully no one throws a metal ball at this one.
Speaking of release timing, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said late last year during a shareholder meeting that he expected production to begin “probably about 12-18 months” after the first live demo. That demo was planned for April 2026 at the time, so assuming the timeline hasn’t shifted, we likely won’t see the car on the road until late 2027 or early 2028 at the soonest. For those who don’t even need to see it first, reservations for the unreleased Roadster are available on Tesla’s website for $50,000 (that’s $5,000 now and a separate $45,000 wire transfer within 10 days after that).
8:33 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Hey everyone! Welcome to our live coverage of the Tesla Roadster 2. We’ve dealt with years of delays, but now it looks like we’ll finally be getting some new info on this long-awaited supercar.
8:35 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
We’re less than 20 minutes away from the start of the event. The stream can be watched on Tesla’s site: https://livestream.tesla.com
It can also be watched on X: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yKAPwNggRaxb
8:36 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Looking forward to covering all the details alongside Jacob Siegal. Do you think we’ll actually see levitation?
8:37 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
I have very little doubt that we’re going to see something surprising. Whether or not that’s because the stunts go according to plan is another question entirely.
8:39 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I’m personally waiting for an update on that $200K asking price. It’s also crazy to think you can already preorder the vehicle for $50K.
8:41 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
It’s a really interesting time to be releasing a multi-hundred thousand dollar electric sports car given Rivian and other competitors are trying to find ways to bring more budget-friendly cars to market.
8:41 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
For those unaware, the Roadster 2.0 is close to a decade in the making at this point. It was first announced in 2017, and some of the projected specs were pretty astonishing:
0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds (or less)
Top speed of 250mph
Driving range of 620 miles
8:43 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Production was slated to begin in 2020, but was pushed back a number of times. Also, this event was supposed to take place on October 1st, but Mother Nature had different plans.
8:44 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
We’re just shy of 10 minutes away until showtime!
8:44 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Here’s hoping the weather is agreeable today…
8:45 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
8:46 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Looks like it’s sunny over in McGregor, TX this evening. There’s a wind advisory, though; gusts could get up to 40-45mph.
8:46 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
And by sunny I mean the moon and stars are out. But no severe weather!
8:48 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I’m very curious if this is going to be a multi-trim vehicle. There’s a lot of speculation as to whether or not those SpaceX thrusters will be used for acceleration. And if that’s not a base-trim feature, $200K could be a starting price!
8:48 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
As a sneak preview, here’s an image from the event that has been making the rounds on social media (via @SawyerMerritt).
8:50 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Would ya look at that! Am I mistaken? Is this a lighting rig?
8:51 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Less than 4 minutes friends!
8:53 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
One other thing I’m wondering before the event kicks off: How close to “done” are we? Are we walking away from this event with real dates, numbers, trims, etc., or just more projections?
8:54 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
We’re right down to the wire. 1 minute and counting!
8:54 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Tesla’s earnings call is set for October 21, so it would certainly be a win for Tesla if it could get some hard dates and details out there today.
8:55 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
That’s right!
8:55 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Okay. Here we go!
8:56 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“Webcast will start shortly.”
8:59 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Those of us watching over at X aren’t live yet either.
9:00 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
At least we’ve got some rad tunes to chill to.
9:00 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
And we’re live!
9:01 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Two decades!
9:01 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Really we’re two decades-plus at this point.
9:01 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Come on, Elon!
9:02 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“You’re gonna see some crazy stuff tonight.”
9:02 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Did ya hear that, Jacob?!
9:03 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
I knew it!
9:03 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
This is the face of someone ready to show us some crazy stuff.
9:03 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“Better than any James Bond car.”
This is the face of someone ready to show us some crazy stuff.
9:03 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“Better than any James Bond car.”
9:04 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“Success is not guaranteed. I mean that. It’ll probably work. But if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance.”
9:04 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
So far, we’ve seen Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on stage.
9:05 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
CGI for the win!
9:06 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Oh. My. Goodness.
9:06 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Our first look at the new Tesla Roadster.
9:07 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Who needs gravity?
9:07 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Wow.
9:07 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Alright, I can’t lie, watching that car flip upside-down was fairly incredible.
9:07 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I just watched a car brilliantly descend via rocket thrusters.
9:08 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Fan-suction system that can pull up to two 2G to get the car upside down. Plus SpaceX tech.
9:09 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“The downforce of the car means you can corner incredibly well.”
9:09 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Starman?
9:09 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Ah! There he is!
9:10 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
9:10 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
A lot of talk about the aerodynamic capabilities.
9:10 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
“Takes the fun-meter to 11-out-of-10.”
9:10 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Another stunt I see?
9:11 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Movie studios are going to like this car very, very much.
9:11 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Geez. Jacob, are you seeing this?
9:11 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
We just watched a Tesla Roadster fly and flip over multiple other Tesla vehicles.
9:12 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
It uses an advanced, ultra-high-pressure air tank.
9:13 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Sleek and classy to say the least.
9:14 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
9:14 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Seats are molded into the chassis. Steer-by-wire system.
9:15 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Diffusing area with robust fans.
9:15 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
You can certainly see the Cybertruck inspiration, but like the Tesla Model Y refresh, it’s less spiky and angular and seems to dial in this design language.
9:15 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Two modes: high down-force, and a low drag.
9:16 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Whoa.
9:17 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
We’re gonna try and beat that 1-second time…
9:17 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
0 to 60mph in only… 0.81 seconds.
9:18 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
The Tesla Roadster achieved 0-60mph in 1 second in a previous test, and now we’re waiting for the results of a live test…
9:19 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
The production car could be faster? Yikes.
9:20 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
“Don’t detach the retina of the human in the car,” says Musk. That sounds like a smart goal.
9:20 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Over 230+ mph
9:21 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Enter production in 2028.
9:21 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
One more demonstration!
9:22 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I can’t get over the precision of these landings!
9:23 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
9:24 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I dig these beats.
9:24 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I dig this imagery. And I dig what this car can do!
9:25 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
A few closing shots after the live demos.
9:26 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
It looks like that’s a wrap, unless I’m about to be surprised by another feature…
9:26 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
On one hand, that was a ridiculously cool live demonstration of an honest-to-goodness flying (falling with style?) car. On the other, we learned very little about when anyone is actually going to get their hands on one.
9:27 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
We learned SO little about how the consumer can consume this cool car, other than a 2028 start for production.
9:28 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
That said, it was remarkable to watch what this vehicle is going to be capable of.
9:28 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
No doubt about it, even though I’m unsure where almost any of this will be legal.
9:29 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Haha! I know. The greater Blade Runner 2049 universe?
9:30 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Jacob, do you think we’ll learn a little more at the earnings call in a few days?
9:30 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
It does seem like Tesla accidentally took one of the cars out of Cyberpunk 2077, added thrusters to it, and forgot to check if that was allowed in real life.
9:30 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Honestly, the lack of details here and the vague “2028” production date makes me think Tesla isn’t ready to share much more, and likely won’t be in six days either.
9:31 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
There will, of course, be plenty of questions about the Tesla Roadster, so I don’t doubt that we’ll learn a little bit more.
9:31 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
I hear ya. I wanted to leave this event with at least one or two solid answers to my questions. I’m glad to see that “2028” has at least been shared, but that could change, too.
9:33 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
Even this event was pushed back two weeks at the last second (after years of waiting), so I’m not putting much stock into that 2028 timeline quite yet either.
9:33 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
And what about the customers that reserved this vehicle years ago? I’m assuming Tesla hasn’t forgotten these preorders, but when will these consumers hear something more than a 2028 projection? I definitely would want more than what I got tonight.
9:34 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
100% agreed.
9:34 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
At any rate, this was an incredible event to cover! We literally saw a flying car live, and it wasn’t a disaster in any way, shape, or form!
9:35 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
Thank you to our loyal audience for tuning in and spending time with me and Jacob to learn all this crazy stuff. Even if we’re not walking away with all questions answered, we certainly witnessed something profound.
9:37 PM EDT
Jacob Siegal
I’ll never forget the metal ball shattering the window of the Cybertruck during its reveal in 2019. What a long way we’ve come that a car flying over an entire fleet of vehicles while spinning 360 degrees went off without a hitch. And yes, thanks for tuning in everyone!
9:37 PM EDT
Michael Bizzaco
And of course, stay tuned to BGR’s coverage of all things Tesla Roadster 2.0. I’d be willing to bet we’ll have something additional to share about the supercar in the near-foreseeable future.
