Nine years after Tesla first showed an electric sports car called the Roadster, the company will present what it says is the production version tonight at an event in central Texas. Whether anyone can buy one soon is still unanswered.
The presentation is set for 9 p.m. Eastern in Waco, about 90 minutes north of Tesla’s Austin headquarters, with a livestream starting at 7:55 p.m. Central.
Missed dates
The wait has been marked by repeated slips. The car was first shown as a concept in 2017, with production then expected to start in 2020. That timeline passed, and later unveiling windows came and went through 2024 and into 2026.
This year Tesla CEO Elon Musk floated an April 1 reveal and then a late-May one. Neither produced a new car. Tesla then sent invitations for October 1, but weather forecasts prompted the company to push the outdoor event back two weeks.
Musk has said tonight’s event will be “unforgettable,” according to a preview published by the Not a Tesla App site.
Claims versus confirmation
Tesla has described the Roadster as a four-seat battery-electric coupe capable of reaching 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a figure that has not been independently verified. Musk has also suggested the car will carry thrusters inspired by SpaceX, though Tesla has not detailed how they would work.
On cost, Tesla’s 2017 announcement listed a $200,000 base price and a $50,000 deposit. The company has not confirmed a price for the 2026 car.
Not yet for sale
The Roadster is not available to order in the usual sense. Reservation holders received the invitations, and no delivery schedule has been published. One buyer’s guide notes that a reveal is a separate milestone from production and deliveries. Analysts have said much the same: no firm production schedule exists, so the unveiling alone does not signal near-term sales.
Timing for Tesla
The reveal follows limited Cybercab rides in Austin and comes while federal regulators are reviewing that vehicle’s certification. Early reaction to the Roadster event has been divided, with one outlet saying coverage is split between anticipation and fatigue.
This report will be updated with announcements from the event, including any price, specifications, and delivery timeline. Company has set no production or delivery date; pricing for the 2026 model not yet published.
