Tesla Says It Will Unveil Second-Generation Roadster on October 1

Those thrusters are being developed by SpaceX, the space company led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. They are optional equipment and are supposed to allow the Roadster to fly in some way, according to TechCrunch. Tesla did not provide additional details about the October 1 event or the car's specifications in the X post.

The second-generation Roadster was first announced in November 2017. Its launch has been pushed back multiple times. Last year, the car became part of a social media dispute between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman said that "7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait" after paying a $50,000 reservation fee, while Musk insisted that Altman had received a refund. TechCrunch reported the exchange.

TechCrunch also reported that The Information recently said the 2017 version of the car had been completely abandoned for a new, yet-to-be-revealed design that would be revealed imminently. The October 1 announcement follows that report and indicates Tesla is preparing to show the newer design.

Even after the unveiling, the Roadster is not expected to go into production immediately. Musk has previously acknowledged that the car will not actually go into production for another 12 or 18 months after the reveal. That means customers and observers waiting for the vehicle will face a further delay after the October 1 event.

Tesla has not said where the unveiling will take place. The company's X post did not include additional information beyond the "Go for launch" message and the "10.01" graphic. TechCrunch reported the announcement on Saturday.

Editor's Summary

Tesla says it will unveil the second-generation Roadster on October 1, after years of delays and a recent report that the 2017 design was abandoned. The teaser hints at optional cold gas thrusters developed by SpaceX. Even after the reveal, Musk has said production is still 12 to 18 months away.