Tesla to Stream Next-Generation Roadster Event on Thursday
The event was rescheduled from October 1 due to weather concerns and marks nearly nine years since the original 2017 reveal.
Tesla confirmed it will livestream its next-generation Roadster event this Thursday, October 15, at 7:55 pm Central. The reveal comes nearly nine years after the vehicle’s initial 2017 introduction and follows a last-minute postponement of the originally scheduled October 1 date.
What Happened
Tesla first showed the Roadster prototype in November 2017, with production promised for 2020. Since then, the timeline has slipped repeatedly, with production targets moving to 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and most recently to 2027 or 2028. The unveiling itself has also faced multiple delays, shifting from a planned end-of-2025 demo to April 2026, then late May or June, and finally August before settling on October.
The October 1 event in Texas was called off on September 28, with Tesla citing weather conditions and stating the show could only be held outdoors. The new date, October 15, was confirmed by Tesla on X. The event is expected to feature a demo involving SpaceX cold gas thrusters, which CEO Elon Musk has claimed could enable 0-60 mph acceleration in under one second. Reports indicate the demo car will be remote-operated and not street-legal, with the thruster system scaled back from a "flying" demonstration to a short hover.
Why It Matters
For the thousands of customers who placed $50,000 reservations or $250,000 Founders Series deposits in 2017, the event represents a critical update on a vehicle that has yet to be delivered. The original promise was a four-seat electric roadster with a 620-mile range and 0-60 mph times of 1.9 seconds for approximately $200,000. Current teasers suggest a full redesign incorporating Tesla’s angular "Cyber" styling and potential vacuum-underneath technology via a fan-car patent, rather than the specific performance metrics initially marketed.
The focus on a thruster-based stunt rather than a standard production launch highlights the divergence between the reserved vehicle and the current development path. Critics note that the cold gas thruster system adds weight and cost without benefiting normal driving, raising questions about the practical value for owners. The event’s outdoor-only nature further emphasizes its theatrical character, contrasting with traditional automotive reveals.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s Roadster event will proceed on October 15 after weather-related delays, continuing a nine-year saga of shifting timelines. While the livestream will feature a thruster-powered demo, owners and reservation holders are seeking concrete details on production start dates, final pricing, and the status of their 2017 commitments.
