Tesla releases a new preview of the Roadster, whose design will be inspired by the Cybertruck and Cybercab

On October 1st, Tesla will unveil the production version of the second-generation Roadster. This model was first shown as a prototype back in 2017 and has since faced numerous delays. To build anticipation, the company released a new teaser for this electric hypercar during a recent event focused on the Semi truck in Nevada.

"We can’t hold a Semi event without the Roadster," said Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of engineering, referring to the surprise debut of the Roadster during the Semi’s launch nine years ago. It’s worth noting that the Semi truck’s release has also been postponed countless times: although its commercial debut was scheduled for 2019, series production finally began in 2026.

The preview shared by Tesla shows that the Roadster will feature a lighting signature similar to that of the Cybertruck, Model Y, and Cybercab, with a light bar running across the front from side to side. The video also displays SpaceX’s name alongside Tesla’s, referring to the optional cold gas thruster package that Elon Musk, CEO of both companies, has been promising for years for their new electric vehicle.

Recently, Tesla reopened reservations for the Roadster... after a deposit of $50,000 (43,000 euros in Spain). It is expected that at the launch event, its price and production targets, along with the vehicle’s final technical specifications, will be revealed—likely differing significantly from those announced in 2017.

The Tesla Roadster could be equipped with a massive active spoiler

While it is unknown to what extent the Roadster’s design will differ from the original prototype, a recent Tesla patent gives us some insight. The application includes several drawings of a sports car that is relatively similar to the concept vehicle, but equipped with a massive spoiler capable of generating up to 700 kg of aerodynamic downforce once deployed.

The application, US 2026/0285418 A1, is titled “Deployable and active rear spoiler assembly with safety features.” In road mode, the spoiler aligns with the trunk lid. It takes less than 3 seconds to deploy, and its angle can be adjusted in less than a quarter of a second. The vehicle controls the spoiler’s position based on speed, acceleration, steering angle, braking, GPS location, and data from autonomous driving sensors.

In 2017, Tesla promised an EPA range of over 1,000 km (a figure that no current production model has yet matched, not even the Lucid Air), a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of under 2 seconds, and a top speed of over 400 km/h. It is expected that the final version of the Roadster will improve these specifications.

Source | Teslarati