Tesla CEO Elon Musk says planned Roadster sports car will arrive in 2025 with astonishing acceleration.
The second-generation Tesla Roadster was first announced seven years ago in 2017, but delays have pushed it back many times. The light at the end of the tunnel may finally be visible, though, as the car is set to be revealed this year and launched in 2025.
Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, said on his website X (formerly Twitter) that the Tesla Roadster’s production design is complete, and that it will be revealed at the end of 2024 and shipped the next year.
“There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car,” said the company boss. “I think it has a shot at being the most mind-blowing product demo of all time.” He also mentioned that the design goals for the car had been “increased,” though it’s unclear what this means for the production model.
In a reply to another user, Musk stated that the Roadster will be able to reach 0-60mph (97km/h) in less than one second. Currently, the fastest car to 60mph is the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 at 1.66 seconds. This model uses special fuel and tyres to achieve that time. Formula One cars accelerate slower than that from a standstill, too.
Musk went on to say that this astonishing acceleration claim is “the least interesting part,” although he didn’t expand on what exactly would be more interesting about the new model. Previously, the CEO had stated that the Roadster would have a 1.9-second 0–60mph time and a 400km/h top speed, though in 2021 he said the time would be 1.1 seconds.
Extraordinary claims have become a running theme with the Tesla Roadster. Previously Musk, who also runs spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, said: “SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly…”