When Is the Tesla Roadster Release Date? We’re Still Waiting
Tesla is no stranger to product delays, so it should come as no surprise that the reboot of its Roadster is taking longer than expected. First announced as a prototype in 2017, the Roadster’s production timeline has been plagued by problems, and according to a new Tweet from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, it’s going to be quite a bit longer until the new Roadster is ready for primetime.
Related: 2021 Tesla Model S, Model X Get Interior Refresh but No Shifter
“Finishing engineering this year, production starts next year. Aiming to have release candidate design drivable late summer. Tri-motor drive system and advanced battery work were important precursors,” Musk tweeted.
For some, it might be worth the wait. The four-seat supercar has pretty striking numbers: Tesla says to expect a 0-60-mph time of 1.9 seconds, a top speed of more than 250 mph and a 620-mile range. Also eye-popping is its price: Base versions will start at $200,000, and early adopters who snag a Founder’s Edition model will have to fork over $250,000. (Interested buyers must ante up $50,000 to reserve the Base and $250,000 to reserve the Founder’s Edition; only 1,000 reservations are available for the latter.)
All of those numbers are quite a bit extra when compared with the original Tesla Roadster, which was a Lotus-based electric two-seater that hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and started at around $110,000 with destination. Production for that model ran from 2008 to 2012.
In the meantime, the all-electric automaker has been busy with refreshes of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV for 2021. Check out the vehicles’ futuristic, minimalistic (like so minimal they’re missing a gear shifter) new cabins.
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