Tesla is pushing back the Roadster’s launch from October 1 to October 15. Nine more years of waiting!

In short:

The Tesla roadster is not set to debut on October 1 or 15

The reason for the delay? Bad weather conditions, wrote the manufacturer on X

Tesla is still accepting large deposits for the car, though no one has seen it yet

The car’s history dates back to 2017

Tesla: nine years and two more weeks to go

What was supposed to be a long-awaited unveiling of a vehicle that has been one of Tesla’s most ambitious announcements for nearly a decade now sees the event postponed from October 1 to October 15. The manufacturer cited expected severe weather conditions as the reason.

In a post on X, the company wrote: “We have been closely monitoring the weather situation together with local meteorologists, but given the forecasts indicating severe weather conditions and the fact that the event can only take place outdoors, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule it.” Tesla also confirmed a new date for the event set for October 15.

Roadster event update

We've been tracking the weather closely with local meteorologists, but given the severe conditions predicted & because this event can only be held outdoors, we've made the difficult decision to reschedule.

New date is October 15. Additional details to…

— Tesla (@Tesla) September 28, 2026

The mere statement that the demonstration could only take place outdoors immediately sparked a wave of speculation. For months, rumors have circulated that Tesla plans to showcase the capabilities of SpaceX’s long-developed propulsion system during the event, which includes nozzles that use compressed gas. Elon Musk has repeatedly suggested that this solution could significantly improve the car’s performance, and in recent remarks he even mentioned a demonstration of the vehicle briefly hovering above the ground.

As noted by Root-Nation, the scheduled date for the presentation, along with earlier reports about temporary restrictions on flights of planes and drones near SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas, further heightened excitement around the event. However, there is no official confirmation that these restrictions were directly related to the Roadster’s debut.

The car that was supposed to go into production in 2020

The delay in the launch would be a less significant news item if not for the history of the model itself, during which Tesla promised to begin production around 2020, along with specifications that were set to establish new standards for sports cars.

To recall, it was claimed that the car could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in under 1.9 seconds, have a top speed exceeding 250 mph (over 402 km/h), and offer a range of 620 miles, which is nearly 1,000 kilometers.

Interestingly, similar figures still appear on the model’s official website. The problem is that no customer has received a new Roadster in nine years, and the project has been postponed repeatedly. Meanwhile, Elon Musk suggested over the years that the design had been significantly modified from the original prototype.

Tesla is Collecting Prepayments Again

Despite the lack of a production version of the vehicle, the company has reactivated its reservation system. To secure a spot in line, interested parties must pay $50,000. The first installment is $5,000 to be paid by card, with the remaining $45,000 due within ten days.

As we reported, this is not a car order but merely a reservation for a spot in line. Interestingly, Tesla acknowledges in its current terms that it is still working on the vehicle’s specifications, technical solutions, and final price.

The manufacturer also states that it does not guarantee a delivery date! This means customers who pay today an amount equivalent to about 191,000 zł only receive the option to configure a car in the future, whose final specifications and price remain unknown.

Musk wants the public to “make sure no one says it’s AI”

Expectations surrounding the October launch have grown so high that Elon Musk himself addressed them during the September All-In Summit. Tesla’s CEO announced a spectacular demonstration, while emphasizing that he cannot guarantee success in showcasing all the planned features.

According to Root-Nation, Musk also reportedly said that an audience is needed at the event to confirm that the content being shown “is not generated by AI.” Given the speculation surrounding a Roadster floating in the air, it’s hard to consider this comment as coincidental.

The most important question remains unanswered

Whether Tesla will unveil a supercar capable of short flights or just another evolution of the 2017 prototype, the most crucial issue remains unresolved. That is the timeline for starting mass production. The Roadster’s history has already become a symbol of the gap between ambitious promises and reality.

Let’s recall that the first customers paid deposits nine years ago, when the base price of the model was set at $200,000. Today, Tesla still accepts reservations, but it still hasn’t announced the final price of the car or a firm delivery date. And this is called marketing!

Oskar Włostowski