Tesla's New Roadster Production Delayed Again, Launch Pushed Back Nearly a Decade

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen recently stated on the show *Jay Leno's Garage* that the new Roadster is "coming soon," though he did not provide a specific launch date or technical specifications. The vehicle was first unveiled in 2017, with initial plans to begin production in 2020. However, its launch has been repeatedly delayed—first pushed to 2022, then to 2023, followed by 2024, and eventually targeted for delivery in early 2025. In November 2024, Elon Musk set a demonstration date of April 1, 2026, which was later postponed again—to late April 2026 and then to August 2026. To date, the car’s release has been delayed by nearly a decade. The primary reason for the delays is that SpaceX’s “cold gas thruster” system (internally codenamed A71) is not yet ready. Tesla and SpaceX showcased an early prototype of this system at the end of April 2025, but it has still not reached a stage suitable for public demonstration. Originally announced specifications for the new Roadster included a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 1.9 seconds, a top speed of 250 mph, a range of 620 miles, and a starting price of $200,000. Customers who reserved the Founders Series version have already paid a deposit of $250,000 but have yet to receive their vehicles.