Tesla Sets October 1 Reveal for Redesigned Second Generation Roadster
Tesla now plans to unveil its redesigned second generation Roadster on October 1, teasing SpaceX thrusters, but production is still 12 to 18 months away.
Summary
Tesla plans to unveil its second generation Roadster on October 1. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the electric vehicle maker posted a launch message on X with a “10.01” graphic that appears to tease optional cold gas thrusters developed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The thrusters are intended to give the sports car some form of flight capability.
Announced in November 2017, the Roadster has faced repeated delays. The original 2017 vehicle has reportedly been abandoned for a new, unrevealed design. The wait triggered a 2025 social media dispute between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who said 7.5 years was too long after paying a $50,000 reservation fee; Musk insisted Altman received a refund. Even after the October 1 reveal, Musk expects production to take another 12 or 18 months.
Positives
- October 1 gives Tesla’s repeatedly delayed second generation Roadster its first firm unveiling date.
- SpaceX developed optional cold gas thrusters intended to give the Roadster some form of flight capability.
- A new design has reportedly replaced the abandoned vehicle originally presented in November 2017.
Risks & concerns
- November 2017 marked the Roadster’s announcement, but repeated delays have kept it from customers for nearly nine years.
- Another 12 or 18 months could pass after the October 1 unveiling before production begins.
- The original 2017 Roadster design was reportedly abandoned, leaving the replacement design unrevealed.
- Sam Altman’s $50,000 reservation prompted a public refund dispute with Elon Musk after a 7.5-year wait.
- Cold gas thrusters are intended to enable some form of flight, but Tesla has not provided technical details.