Tesla
It has been 15 years and about a million broken promises since Tesla CEO Elon Musk first said a second-generation Roadster was on its way. Now, we're at the tail end of 2026, and we've finally gotten a look at what the new Roadster is going to be... probably. I mean, it is Elon and Tesla, after all, so we've got to take everything with a grain of salt, and it's not exactly the concept vehicle we saw in 2017 that was going to go into production in 2020. In any case, the reveal of the new Roadster is what brings us to today's question.
We'd like to open the floor up to you fine folks and find out what you think of Musk's latest creation. What is your Tesla Roadster take? Do ya like it? Do ya hate it? Do you think its flight-enabling thrusters and suction fan system will actually go into production? If you do, I've got a bridge to sell you, my friend, because you're giving Elon far too much credit.
Speaking of...
Tesla
On the subject of giving Elon too much credit, why don't we take a little trip down memory lane and look back at some of the broken promises and missed deadlines that have come from the second-generation Roadster? As I mentioned before, it all started in 2011 near the end of the original Roadster's run when he said a second-gen car could return to production by 2014. Then, in 2015, Musk said it would be here as early as 2019.
In 2017, a prototype showed up by surprise during the Semi's unveiling (which has had its own slew of delays) with the promise it would be available in 2020 with a starting price around $200,000. Test rides were given to folks who paid the first $5,000 of a $50,000 deposit to pre-order the car, and a year later, Musk said the Roadster would have 10 cold gas thrusters with a SpaceX option package. There were also other promises, such as a sub-1-second 0-60 time and a patent for ground-effect technology.
Obviously, there have been numerous delays since then. During a 2023 shareholder meeting, Musk said it would enter production in 2024. In 2024, he said it would be 2025. In 2025, he said 2026. Well, now it's 2026, and here we are.
Still, even though we now know what the second-generation Roadster looks like and have info on its "specs" and "performance" there's no real telling what the production car will be like once it finally hits the roads. Lest we forget how far off the Cybertruck's production specifications were from its initial unveiling.
In any case, how about you all drop down below and let your fellow Jalops know your spiciest Roadster take. I promise, I will not judge you.