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Latest Tesla Roadster delay is like deja vu all over again. And Elon's pitch to long-suffering deposit holders is a doozy!

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2017 Tesla Roadster Concept (Image: NetCarShow.com)
James Cleary
Deputy Editor
25 Oct 2024
2 min read
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Seven years after the automotive world was knocked on its heels by the unveiling of a breathtakingly sleek second-generation Tesla Roadster Concept, a production version is still nowhere to be seen.

And although Technoking of Tesla (aka CEO) Elon Musk says “we are working on it”, the EV pioneer concedes the Roadster’s development is not at the top of the company’s new-model priority list.

That would appear obvious given the Roadster concept was unveiled in late 2017 as a surprise addition to the introduction of the Tesla Semi truck, with Musk at the time confirming it would be on the road by 2020.

Which obviously didn’t happen, with Musk more recently pointing to a 2024 arrival. But speaking at a recent shareholder meeting he pushed the car’s launch even further back saying it would go into production during 2025.

"I'd certainly like to thank our long-suffering deposit holders of the Tesla Roadster," he said.

"The reason it hasn't come out yet is because the Roadster is not just the icing on the cake, it's the cherry on the icing on the cake.

"We'd all love to work on the next-gen Tesla Roadster. It is super fun, and we are working on it, but it has to come behind the things that have a more serious impact on the good of the world," he said.

It’s worth noting Tesla is still accepting deposits for the car on its website with “an initial $7000 credit card payment, plus a $59,000 bank transfer payment due in 10 days.” List price is unchanged at $326,000.

The all-wheel drive, quad-motor, four-seat Roadster concept is claimed to accelerate from in 0-100km/h in 2.1 seconds, with Musk stating earlier this year the car will run 0-97km/h (0-60mph) in less than a second when fitted with the optional (rocket-boosted) SpaceX package. It is also claimed to offer a 400km/h-plus top speed and 1000km range.

James Cleary
Deputy Editor
As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe. He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas. His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation. As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.
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