We have finally been given another update on the second-generation Tesla Roadster. And you’ll never guess what it is.
If you guessed that we learned anything meaningful about the Roadster’s release, design, or performance, you’re wrong! If you guessed, the announcement is another announcement that an announcement is on the way, you are correct!
Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, and Vice President of Engineering, Lars Moravy, recently appeared on the Ride the Lightning podcast to discuss the retirement of the Model S and Model X, but the host was able to pivot the conversation to something a lot more interesting: the Tesla Roadster.
Unfortunately, we didn’t really learn anything.
Here is what we know about the second-generation Tesla Roadster (hint: nothing)
A few tidbits were shared during the podcast, and it’s nothing substantial. First, we learned that the Tesla Roadster would be manufactured at the Giga Texas location. I mean, the only two options were Fremont and Giga Texas, so… Meh.
von Holzhausen said that the Gigafactory has more than enough room for the Tesla Roadster assembly line. More importantly, he claimed that the team has started planning the vehicle’s layout and production.
After 10-plus years of waiting, it looks like the production is being planned. What an exciting update.
For those of us who are skeptical that anything is even happening, Moravy added that they are testing alpha prototypes. He also confirmed that the Roadster would have a four-motor powertrain, with the VP noting “it’s the first time I think we’ve really been able to think about a motor in a pure performance mentality.”
If you’re looking for any further information on the Roadster’s performance…. Sorry, that was it.
The Tesla Roadster promises near 10 years
So… is it coming or nah?
No release date was given, of course. But von Holzhausen did reveal that “you’ll see a lot of things start to unfold in the next months.”
Still no word of the re-reveal announcement. Of course. But it looks like it’s getting close.
And by close, I mean that things are starting to close in on Elon Musk. The notorious exaggerator and “free speech” enthusiast has been promising a second-generation Tesla Roadster for nearly a decade. Tesla fans even pre-ordered the Roadster in 2017.
There was silence until fall of 2025. At that point, probably fearing that people would maybe want a refund, Musk said the Roadster would be revealed in April 2026. And he claimed it would “literally fly.”
Well… It’s May now.
I’m trying to be hopeful about the Tesla Roadster. It’s Tesla’s last chance to do something cool before it pivots to barely functional humanoid robots and dangerously underperforming robotaxis. But the whole “flying” thing has really ruined any excitement I have for the Roadster. I really don’t care about this stupid SpaceX stuff, which will probably prove to be another exaggerated claim Musk makes. I just want a cool sports car.
At least it will be entertaining rage bait when Tesla fans claim their Roadster can fly. Hopefully they don’t test that…
