Musk Discusses Next-Gen Tesla Roadster in New Interview: ‘Unforgettable’ Demo Coming [VIDEO]

When Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster in November 2017, the spec sheet read like science fiction: 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds (and later shaved to under 1.0), 620 miles of range, 250+ mph of top speed, and a starting price of only $200,000 USD.

The original demo revealed a sleek, low-slung coupe that promptly disappeared into the engineering abyss. Production was slated for 2020, then 2021, then “whenever we finish the important stuff.” Eight years later, at the end of 2025, the Roadster is back in the spotlight, and not as a delayed sports car, but Tesla’s ultimate halo product.

Elon Musk confirmed on the Joe Rogan Experience that a prototype demo is getting close, potentially before the end of 2025, which aligns with other recent mentions of the Roadster. 

“If you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”

Elon Musk on the upcoming @Tesla Roadster:

“We’re getting close to demonstrating the prototype. One thing I can guarantee is that this product demo will be unforgettable. I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveil ever; Hopefully before the end of this… pic.twitter.com/X5MIabdDPZ

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) October 31, 2025

The Tech That Took Eight Years

Tesla’s original Roadster claim of sub-1-second 0-60 was always contingent on the SpaceX option package of ten cold-gas thrusters. Two large units are located in the rear, and eight smaller ones to help balance the entire vehicle out. A cold-compressed gas fires through the nozzles to deliver instantaneous torque vectoring and, crucially, lift.

Below is a short table of what the Roadster is supposed to offer when in its SpaceX configuration, based on all the information across the last eight years.

We’ve also recently seen a Tesla patent on race-banned F1 aero tech, which helped make cars too fast by massively increasing downforce. There’s a lot of engineering going into the Roadster, and integrating hardware for short hops or even hovering is a massive challenge.

It will require structural reinforcement, suspension work, and a lot of software engineering magic to ensure the vehicle remains stable and controllable while hopping or hovering.

A Halo in a Crowded World

Tesla no longer needs a $200,000 poster child to prove EVs can be fast; the Model S and Model X Plaid already do so, for half that price. So why bother building something like the Roadster, especially as the company pivots towards full-blown autonomy?

Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster.

There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2024

Tesla believes the new Roadster will be the last true driver’s vehicle before the world shifts toward an autonomous future. It’s about the right product at the right time.

A vehicle so overly powerful, so unique, and so special – just like the Cybertruck in its own way – that it just differentiates itself from the market. With vehicles like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Rimac Nevera already in the market holding performance crowns, the Roadster is Tesla’s chance to take back that crown and put their tech on the pedestal.

Once the Roadster debuts with all the new technology needed to make all this happen, it could trickle down to Tesla’s other vehicles. The extremely high-power motors, the high-output battery pack, the improved handling dynamics, and more could make their way to Tesla’s other flagship vehicles in the future.

Demo Soon

Elon has promised another epic demo, with Musk saying it’ll be “unforgettable.” It’ll be an event that you won’t want to miss. Seeing the final production-intent Tesla Roadster will be an opportunity to see history in the making.

For enthusiasts, the Roadster is more than just a car; it’s Tesla’s chance to make something truly incredible.

If the demo delivers, it could indeed mark the end of the era of conventional supercars.

Tesla’s latest Supercharger upgrade isn’t about speed or power; instead, it’s about making Superchargers more accessible. Tesla has begun deploying an ergonomic, easy-grip handle on newly installed V4 Supercharger sites, making charging more accessible for everyone, including wheelchair users.

Stalls with the new easy-grip handle will have an accessibility sign next to them, and often, the stall is also painted with an accessibility symbol. The sign says “Accessible EV charging. Use Last.” Unlike handicap parking spots, these stalls can be used by anyone, but the sign reminds users to be respectful of others who may require them. Similar to pull-through trailer stalls, these stalls should only be used when other stalls are occupied.

Helping Handles

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public facilities, including EV charging stations, to accommodate individuals with limited mobility. While Tesla’s Supercharger cables are far lighter and easier to handle than a comparable CCS cable, they’re still hefty, especially for someone who has a disability.

These new handles are positioned just below the plug, making it easier to move the cable from the Supercharger stall to the vehicle. The Tesla connector or the built-in CCS adapter remains unchanged, and customers can use either handle to plug in their vehicle.

Meeting Greater Demand

With the Supercharger network accessible to more non-Tesla EVs, Tesla is having to meet ever-greater demand from a widening audience. As EV adoption grows among aging drivers and those with disabilities, accommodating these owners becomes a differentiator for those users. Tesla’s move could pressure other networks to improve accessibility support as well, especially given that NACS is the North American Charging Standard, and Superchargers are the de facto charging network.

Tesla is rolling out a new incentive to encourage drivers to switch from gas to electric. Starting now, anyone trading in a gas or hybrid vehicle toward a new Tesla will receive 2,000 free Supercharger miles, adding a little extra motivation to go electric.

2,000 Free Supercharger Miles

Tesla typically charges for Supercharger use by the kWh; however, to make this deal more consumer-friendly, they’re advertising it as 2,000 free Supercharger miles. The exact value of those 2,000 miles will vary depending on the buyer’s vehicle, since a Model X uses more energy than, say, a Model 3. Supercharger rates also vary by time of day and region.

The Value of the Promotion

To give you a rough idea of the value here, let’s take a Model Y, for example, which gets about 3.5 miles per kWh. While Supercharger rates also vary, they hover around $0.40 per kWh. Given these values, 2,000 miles would be roughly equivalent to 570 kWh of charging, which at 40 cents per kWh would be about $228 USD.

While the value of the promotion is probably much lower than buyers would expect, it does make trading in a vehicle more appealing, and not having to pay for Supercharging during a road trip is a nice perk.

Promotion Requirements

To qualify for the promotion, the trade-in must be a gas or hybrid vehicle — EV trade-ins don’t count. The free Supercharger miles will automatically appear in the buyer’s Tesla account and will expire two years after the vehicle’s delivery date.

It’s worth noting that idle fees and congestion fees at Superchargers still apply, so drivers need to move their cars once charging completes to avoid extra fees.

Pre-owned vehicles are also not eligible for this offer.

Lease Price Changes

Tesla is really starting to expand the number of promotions it offers. This promotion comes as lease prices in the U.S. are about to increase. After recently lowering lease rates by up to 23%, Tesla has announced that lease prices will go up again starting November 4th.

The increase will vary by model, with some vehicles seeing as much as an $80 monthly rise. This effectively undoes much of Tesla’s previous lease discount, returning rates closer to their earlier levels before the recent cuts.

While the value of this promotion isn’t huge, we like how it encourages Supercharger use. Many new owners don’t know how to use a Supercharger, and while it couldn’t be easier, offering free Supercharging gets people to try it out. These buyers are likely to continue using Superchargers, and Tesla will easily recoup its costs.